Research Scientist

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is headquartered at the Oxford Science Park outside Oxford, UK, with satellite offices and a commercial presence in many global locations across the US, APAC and Europe.

Oxford Nanopore employs from multiple subject areas including nanopore science, molecular biology and applications, informatics, engineering, electronics, manufacturing and commercialisation. The management team, led by CEO Dr Gordon Sanghera, has a track record of delivering disruptive technologies to the market.

Oxford Nanopore’s sequencing platform is the only technology that offers real-time analysis, in fully scalable formats from pocket to population scale, that can analyse native DNA or RNA and sequence any length of fragment to achieve short to ultra-long read lengths. Our goal is to enable the analysis of any living thing, by anyone, anywhere!

We're currently looking for an experience Research Scientist to join our Sequencing Methods Research team. The Sequencing Methods Research team plays a crucial role in advancing Nanopore technologies further, to drive advances in functional genomics such as epigenetics, long-read transcriptomics, and epitranscriptomics. 

The Details...

This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to groundbreaking research projects that leverage advanced molecular biology, synthetic biology, and AI/ML-driven design methods. Our team closely collaborates with our internal Machine Learning and Biomolecule Synthesis groups, contributing to our integrated company-wide multidisciplinary research efforts. 

Responsibilities will include:

• Preparation of DNA/RNA sequencing libraries using established and novel chemistries.
• Developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting molecular biology protocols, including Nanopore sequencing.
• Preliminary data analysis, quality control, and data visualization using basic bioinformatics tools.
• Contributing to project planning and execution within our agile research environment.
• Collaborating effectively with multiple teams across Oxford Nanopore.
• Providing supportive technical guidance and mentorship to interns and junior colleagues.
• Staying updated on the latest developments and scientific literature relevant to sequencing technology and molecular biology.

What We're Looking For…

Essential skills:

• Recently completed PhD or equivalent experience in Molecular Biology or M.Sc. with relevant research experience, or B.Sc. with at least a couple of years of industrial research experience.
• Proven background in molecular biology, particularly in nucleic acid handling.
• Familiarity or willingness to develop proficiency in Python and Bash scripting.

Desirable skills:

• Experience with DNA/RNA sequencing technologies, including library preparation.
• Direct experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms and kits.
• Understanding of the fundamentals of Nanopore sensing technology and current capabilities.
• Familiarity with computational tools for bioinformatics analyses and data visualization.
• Knowledge of functional genomics, including nucleotide modifications and genome regulation.

We offer outstanding benefits to include an attractive bonus, generous pension contributions, private healthcare and an excellent starting salary. Based within beautiful, landscaped surroundings with tree-lined walks, water features and a lake, all of which make for a wonderful working environment.

If you are looking to utilise your skills to really make a difference to humankind, then consider joining our team and apply today!

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.

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Oxford Nanopore’s 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 enabling the real-time, high-performance, accessible and scalable analysis of DNA and RNA. The technology is used in more than 100 countries to understand the biology of humans and diseases, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and whole environments.

Oxford Nanopore was founded in 2005 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford and now employs over 1000 employees around the world.