Machine Learning Engineer

The Ellison Institute Of Technology (eit); Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology-enabled drug discovery services company in Oxford is looking for an experienced Cell Biologist to manage research projects and perform advanced laboratory techniques. The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and has over two years of experience in drug discovery. Strong skills in data analysis and cell culture are essential. The role requires both independent work and teamwork, and will contribute to critical projects in drug discovery. Competitive salary and various benefits included.

Benefits

Highly competitive reward package

Pension scheme

Health and well-being support

Qualifications

• Education to Ph.D. level in cell biology or related fields.
• 2+ years of post-doctoral or industrial drug discovery experience.
• Proven ability to disseminate research results.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and deliver research projects.
• Perform in vitro experiments and assays.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures across various scientific fields.

Skills

Cell culture expertise

Data analysis

Assay development

Independent work

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Cell Biology or related fields

Tools

Robotic liquid handlers

Hamilton-Vantage liquid handler

Python

C#

Job description

About the role

Arctoris is expanding and seeking to recruit an experienced *Cell Biologist*, preferably someone with experience of working in an automated lab environment. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in all aspects of both our client‑focused work and collaborative discovery and automation projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, manage and deliver internal and client research projects
• Perform in vitro experiments and assays to an exceptional standard
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures across a variety of scientific fields and disease settings (e.g. cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular)
• Develop and optimise cell‑based assays utilising the automation platform
• Data analysis, interpretation and presentation (including written reports and presentations) of experiment results
• Keeping thorough documentation of work that has been carried out
• Following standard operating procedures where required and establishing new SOPs when required
• Providing feasibility assessments of projects in advance to aid the sales team
• Act as subject matter expert and communicate effectively with clients in scientific meetings
• Keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical development
• Work well within a team to optimise processes, teach others and learn
• Contribute ideas to technology development strategies and maintain a culture of continual improvement

Qualifications

• Education to Ph.D. level in cell biology or related fields; equivalent experience in scientific R&D
• 2+ years of post‑doctoral or industrial drug discovery experience
• Experience of independent, self‑directed work
• Proven ability to disseminate research results (e.g. in reports, presentations and peer‑reviewed journal publications)
• Assay development expertise for target ID/validation and/or drug screening, with a good understanding of assay statistics (e.g. Robust Zʹ, %CV)
• Broad understanding of the drug discovery process
• Experience handling large datasets including data QC and analysis
• Experience of working in an industrial setting
• Broad‑based experience in cell biology, ideally including:
  • Mammalian cell culture and complex cell models (e.g. 3D cell models, iPSC or other primary cell systems or co‑cultures) including development/optimisation of culturing conditions.
  • Implementing, performing and troubleshooting a broad range of cell‑based assays (for example: flow cytometry, imaging microscopy or plate‑based assays such as NanoBRET, HiBiT, ELISA, Luciferase, HTRF and AlphaLISA).
  • Practical experience with one or more gene‑engineering and gene‑modulation technologies (e.g. CRISPR or RNAi‑mediated gene modulation) for cell‑line engineering/development or genetic perturbation studies.
  • Expertise in a wide range of other common cellular and molecular techniques, including qRT‑PCR, transfection, SDS‑PAGE, Western Blotting.
• Expertise in any advanced cellular and molecular biology techniques (e.g. multiparameter flow cytometry or high‑throughput/high‑content imaging and the associated analysis)
• Experience and knowledge of research processes and activities and requirements to comply with the Human Tissue Act
• Experience in the use, programming and troubleshooting of robotic liquid handlers
• Experience in executing assays using an automated platform
• Experience in programming the Hamilton‑Vantage liquid handler using the Instinct V software
• Experience in programming robotic arms and integrating equipment onto automation platforms
• Experience in automating complex scientific processes (ideally cell‑based assays), including troubleshooting and method validation
• Basic programming skills, ideally in either Python or C# (not crucial which language – but ability to learn new is very good)
• Experience in setting up and/or running high‑throughput screening (HTS) assays

Desired Experience (but not required)

• Expertise in neuro‑degenerative diseases, immunology, oncology and/or immuno‑oncology, together with demonstrated experience in complementary advanced techniques including primary cell cultures and 3D cell models
• Proficiency in any advanced cellular and molecular biology techniques (e.g. multiparameter flow cytometry or high‑throughput/high‑content imaging and the associated analysis)

Benefits & Culture

• Highly competitive reward package
• Pension scheme, 4× life insurance, long‑term absence insurance and other benefits, including salary‑sacrifice schemes such as Tusker cars, nursery fees, gym membership and bike to work
• Generous sick pay scheme and enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Health and well‑being support
• A minimum of 28 days’ annual leave, together with generous flexible and remote working opportunities to ensure you have a great work/life balance
• Regular team events, fresh fruit and snacks and lots of opportunities to socialise and build great relationships
• Dedicated, passionate and agile team who are constantly innovating and celebrating team successes
• Flexible and collaborative work culture with extensive development and progression opportunities
• Inclusion, diversity and belonging is core to our success. We embrace everything unique and continue to be proud of our diverse, rich culture. When you are at your best, we are at our best

About Arctoris

Arctoris is a technology‑enabled drug discovery services company headquartered in Oxford. We combine automated wet‑lab experimentation, proprietary analytical pipelines, and deep scientific expertise to accelerate the design and optimisation of new therapeutics. Our proprietary Ulysses® automation platform and data infrastructure enable the generation of reproducible, high‑quality datasets at scale, forming the foundation for AI‑driven discovery capabilities across oncology, immunology and neuro‑degeneration. We operate at the intersection of biology, robotics and data science, building systems that transform how scientists generate and interpret experimental data. Joining Arctoris means contributing to a multidisciplinary environment where innovation in data architecture, analytical tooling and computational pipelines directly advances the creation of life‑changing medicines.