Senior Scientist, Chip Development

Oxford Nanopore Technologies; Oxford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is hiring a Senior Scientist for Chip Development on a 12-month maternity cover, based on site at the Oxford Science Park. You will join a collaborative team advancing membrane and sensor chip chemistry essential to our sequencing platforms.

Required are a PhD in surface science/related field and strong experience in membrane science, surface modification, and interface characterization.

Qualifications

• PhD in Surface Science, Biophysics, Materials Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or related field.
• Postdoctoral and/or relevant industry experience with publications, patents, or other outputs.
• Strong understanding of membrane science, surface modification and wetting/de-wetting.

Responsibilities

• Characterise and modify surfaces and interfaces to improve sensor chip tech.
• Develop novel membrane formulations.
• Support electrophysiology-based experiments.
• Design experiments, analyse data, and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate across R&D to advance platform chemistry and IP generation.
• Transfer processes and documentation to wider teams across the business.
• Contribute to multiple projects while maintaining high lab safety standards.

Skills

Surface science

Biophysics

Materials chemistry

Physical chemistry of interfaces

Membrane science

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Experimental design

Data analysis

Communications

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Surface Science or related

Tools

AFM/SEM characterization

XPS/ToF-SIMS

Job description

Senior Scientist, Chip Development (12-Month Maternity Cover) | Oxford Nanopore Technologies

This is a 12-month maternity cover opportunity within our Chip Development team, offering the chance to work on cutting-edge science and contribute directly to the advancement of Oxford Nanopore's sequencing platforms.

We are seeking a Senior Scientist with expertise in surface science, biophysics, materials chemistry, or physical chemistry of interfaces to support the continuous innovation of the membrane and sensor chip chemistry that sits at the core of our technology.

This is a highly collaborative, laboratory-based role where you will work alongside multidisciplinary teams to solve complex scientific challenges, develop novel approaches, and contribute to technologies that are transforming genomics and molecular sensing.

Please note: this is a full time on site role based at the Oxford Science Park.

The Role

Key Responsibilities Include

• Characterising and modifying surfaces and interfaces to drive improvements and innovation of our proprietary sensor chip technology
• Researching and developing novel membrane formulations
• Supporting electrophysiology-based experiments
• Designing experiments, analysing data, and communicating findings to a variety of stakeholders
• Collaborating across R&D teams to advance platform chemistry and support intellectual property generation
• Transferring processes and documentation to wider teams across the business
• Contributing to multiple projects while maintaining high scientific and laboratory safety standards

What We're Looking For

• PhD in Surface Science, Biophysics, Materials Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline
• Postdoctoral and/or relevant industry experience with a strong scientific track record demonstrated through publications, patents, or other research outputs
• Strong practical and theoretical understanding of membrane science, surface modification, and selective wetting/de-wetting
• Experience using surface and interface characterisation techniques
• Proven experimental design and data analysis capabilities
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with biological molecules such as DNA or proteins
• Previous project management experience
• Experience balancing multiple scientific projects simultaneously

About You

You are a curious and motivated scientist who enjoys solving challenging problems and translating scientific ideas into practical solutions. You thrive in fast-paced environments, are highly organised, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities. You enjoy collaborating with others, communicating scientific findings clearly, and contributing to innovative research that delivers real-world impact.

This role would suit someone who is passionate about science, excited by interdisciplinary research, and eager to contribute to technology that is redefining what is possible in genomics.

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.