Senior Scientist, Automated Pathogen Diagnostics Platform

1000scholars; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

EIT - Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford, United Kingdom seeks a Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems to translate molecular biology workflows into automated diagnostic platforms. You will lead automation of nucleic acid extraction, library prep, and sample processing within a fluidic device, guiding from concept to prototype.

Collaborating with engineers, chemists, and other scientists, you’ll apply DoE and quantitative methods to optimize performance, reduce risk, and improve

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing molecular biology workflows in industrial or translational R&D environments.
• Proven track record of automating or semi-automating molecular biology workflows.
• Experience integrating biological workflows into analytical, diagnostic, or cartridge-based platforms.
• Strong understanding of nucleic acid extraction, purification, and analysis across diverse sample types.
• Ability to design robust experiments and interpret results within complex systems.
• Experience identifying and resolving bottlenecks in integrated biochemical workflows.
• Strong understanding of assay performance, reproducibility, and quantitative development metrics.
• Experience balancing biological requirements with engineering constraints such as fluidics, automation, contamination control, and reagent stability.
• Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams spanning biology, chemistry, and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute robust experiments to generate high-quality data and inform technical decisions.
• Translate molecular biology workflows into automated processes for integration within a diagnostic platform.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and quantitative methods to optimise workflow performance.
• Develop performance metrics and analytical frameworks to support iterative platform development.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks, variability, and failure modes across integrated workflows.
• Generate insights that guide system design, including fluidics, reagents, automation, and overall architecture.
• Improve assay robustness, reproducibility, and scalability.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, chemists, and engineers to integrate biological workflows into automated systems.
• Provide technical leadership by defining experimental strategies, prioritising risks, and supporting prototype development.

Skills

Automation of molecular workflows

Design of Experiments (DoE)

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Nucleic acid extraction & analysis

Prototype development leadership

Education

PhD in Biotechnology / Molecular Biology / Bioengineering

Tools

Cartridge-based platforms

Oxford Nanopore sequencing

Automated library preparation

Job description

EIT - Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford, United Kingdom seeks a Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems to translate molecular biology workflows into automated diagnostic platforms. You will lead automation of nucleic acid extraction, library prep, and sample processing within a fluidic device, guiding from concept to prototype.

Collaborating with engineers, chemists, and other scientists, you’ll apply DoE and quantitative methods to optimize performance, reduce risk, and improve