Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist

Karlstad University; Hinxton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed genomics research institution in Hinxton seeks a Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist to lead automation projects within the Laboratory Automation Team. This role involves managing skilled personnel, designing automated workflows, and collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance laboratory efficiency. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience with liquid handling platforms and strong project management skills. A relevant degree in life sciences is essential. This position offers hybrid working options.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Employee wellbeing program

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing automation projects in a laboratory environment.
• Extensive knowledge of liquid handling technologies and their applications.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the vision for laboratory automation across Scientific Operations.
• Manage a team of Automation Specialists and guide their work.
• Design and implement optimal solutions for automated workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Automation project management

Liquid handling platforms

Collaboration

Strategic awareness

Education

Relevant degree in life sciences or similar field

Tools

Hamilton

Agilent Bravo

Tecan

Beckman

Job description

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Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Are you a talented Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist with a strong background in leading and delivering complex automation projects? Are you passionate about managing people, providing technical guidance, mentoring, and supporting their professional development? If you are, then keep reading because we have an exciting opportunity for you!

Here at the world-famous Sanger Institute, we are seeking a highly experienced Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist to join the Laboratory Automation Team within the Sequencing Operations Research and Development group. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of automation at the Institute, delivering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and support cutting-edge science.

About the role

As a Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist, you will:

• Play a leading role in defining and driving the vision for laboratory automation across Scientific Operations (SciOps) and the wider institute.
• Manage a group of highly skilled Automation Specialists, guiding their work to deliver this strategic vision.
• Develop a thorough understanding of work being performed across Sanger to identify areas where automation can add value.
• Take full ownership of designing and implementing optimal solutions, leading project delivery, and ensuring the successful deployment of novel automated workflows and technologies.
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the Institute, including senior management, to ensure the seamless end-to-end integration of new processes.
• Build strong relationships across SciOps and faculty programs to foster innovation and grow our science.
• Engage with external collaborators to evaluate and integrate new technologies, ensuring the Institute remains at the forefront of laboratory automation.

About you

You will be an experienced manager of people and an entrepreneurial thinker with a track record in initiating concepts and project managing them through to completion, within agreed budget constraints, timescales and quality standards.

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of method writing on large liquid handling platforms (e.g. Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman, etc.) within the context of high-throughput pipeline development. You will be agile in response to changing requirements with a focus on efficiency and continuous process improvement.

You will be able to critically evaluate liquid handling platforms and performance data to identify the optimal technology. You will have the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and influence a range of internal stakeholders at all levels. You will also be comfortable working independently and prioritising your workload, as well as managing and balancing the workloads of others to ensure team objectives are met effectively and efficiently. You will have strategic awareness and the ability to support large-scale projects in a complex, ever-changing environment.

About Us

The two divisions central to this role are Cellular Operations (CellOps) and Sequencing Operations (SeqOps). CellOps specialises in large-scale cell biology research and is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of the Institute. To date, the focus has been scaling cell culture, cell line engineering, cell model derivation and differentiation, whole-genome CRISPR screening, and flow cytometry.

SeqOps is responsible for generating high-quality genomic data and resources by transforming ambitious experimental concepts into robust pipelines that support the Institute’s scientific objectives. From cancer research and single-cell analysis to studies of parasitic organisms and endangered species, our sequencing teams leverage specialist expertise across a wide range of technologies and applications, including short-read and long-read sequencing, single-cell platforms, and spatial genomics.

The Laboratory Automation Team resides within the SeqOps Research and Development group, which serves as the entry point for new technologies to SciOps. The team evaluates and implements novel methods and automated workflows to optimise the efficiency, quality, and throughput of all incoming technologies, ensuring maximum benefit for researchers across the Institute.

Please include a cover letter with your CV, detailing how your knowledge, skills, and experience match the essential requirements of the role.

Closing Date: Monday 02-MAR-26

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. TheTechnician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.

Global Mobility and Immigration Service (16 kB)

2026-03-02 23:59 (Europe/London)
2026-03-03 00:59 (CET)

We are a world-leading genomics research institute. Our work helps improve human health and understand life on Earth.