Scientist (Technical Operations)

Oxford Nanopore Technologies; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

attractive bonus

generous pension contributions

private healthcare

an excellent starting salary

Job summary

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is seeking an Engineer/Scientist to join the Technical Operations Team in Oxford, supporting and driving improvements in end-to-end manufacture of fluidic chips and electrochemical arrays.

You will work with Production and external suppliers, applying structured problem solving and data analysis (Python where possible) to validate process changes in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., materials science, physics, or related field) with strong data skills.
• Experience solving problems in a manufacturing or regulated environment.
• Familiarity with data analysis and interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end manufacture of fluidic chips and electrochemical arrays.
• Collaborate with Production and external suppliers to improve processes.
• Perform data analysis and interpretation (ideally using Python).
• Establish, monitor, and analyze in-process testing.
• Characterise materials and processes; design of experiments.
• Qualify material, process or design changes.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities and implement actions.
• Investigate non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with third parties to set up robust out-of-house processes.
• Work with external suppliers on specification setting and qualification.
• Report findings concisely and document changes.

Skills

Data analysis

Structured problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Python (data analysis)

Job description

Job Description

Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere.

The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis.

The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins.

The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments.

With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join the Technical Operations Team as an Engineer/Scientist, whose primary role is to support Manufacturing.

The Details

This exciting and challenging role is responsible for providing technical support, and driving continuous improvements, within end-to-end manufacture of novel fluidic chips / electrochemical arrays.

The successful candidate will work closely with Production and Third party suppliers to support and improve chip and flowcell manufacture.

• Supporting Production with technical issues, using techniques such as failure mode analysis, root cause analysis, six sigma.
• Data analysis & interpretation (ideally leveraging python programming).
• Establishing, monitoring, and analysis of effective in-process testing.
• Material and process characterisation & optimisation (design of experiments).
• Qualification of material / process / design changes.
• Identifying areas of Continuous Improvement, creating proposals, evaluating, and implementing
• Investigating non-conformances, identifying, and implementing effective corrective and preventative actions
• Working jointly with Third Parties to establish robust out of house processes, with appropriate quality measures
• Working with external suppliers on Specification setting; verifying and qualifying them.
• Reporting and presenting findings in a concise and clear manner
• Documenting changes.

What We Are Looking For

A Materials Scientist/Engineer, Physicist, Surface Scientist, or similar, with strong data skills and experience of structured problem solving, ideally within a regulated manufacturing environment.

Experience of microfluidic system design, manufacture and analysis would be particularly useful. Familiarity with typical cleanroom processes, e.g. micro structuring and surface modification would be desirable, as would experience of material analysis on MEMS structures, and an appreciation of how the surface properties of such materials affect typical electrochemical/microfluidic systems.

Regular interaction with multidisciplinary teams is integral to the post, so good communication and presentation skills are essential. Change Control knowledge / experience is desirable.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with a relevant scientific background, and good problem-solving / analytical skills. Applicants should be highly motivated individuals who enjoy taking on new challenges, are quickly adaptable in an exciting and fast-paced environment, and who perform well under pressure.

We offer outstanding benefits to include:

• attractive bonus
• generous pension contributions
• private healthcare
• an excellent starting salary

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

About Us

Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.