Senior Automation Specialist - Pathogena

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity’s greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas like health, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate change, clean energy, and robotics in an era of artificial intelligence. EIT blends groundbreaking research with practical applications to deliver lasting results.

A cornerstone of EIT mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.

The Pathogen Mission highlights EIT’s transformative approach, using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Oracle’s cloud technology to create a global pathogen metagenomics system. This initiative aims to improve diagnostics, provide early epidemic warnings, and guide treatments by profiling antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to deliver certified diagnostic tools for widespread use in labs, hospitals, and public health.

EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Senior Automation Specialist to support the development and scaling of advanced laboratory automation solutions within its Pathogen Program. This role will help establish automation capabilities for high-throughput workflows in genomics and phenotypic characterisation of pathogens, with flexibility to expand into other research domains.

EIT’s longer-term vision is to build an AI-driven autonomous laboratory, where experimental workflows are dynamically designed, executed, and optimised through integrated robotics, sensors, informatics, and machine learning. The ideal candidate will bring experience in this emerging frontier of scientific automation.

You will play a key role in building robust automated processes, programming and integrating robotic platforms, supporting users, and contributing to the foundation of a scalable and intelligent lab environment.

Requirements

Automation Design and Implementation

• Contribute to the development of automation strategies supporting high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping workflows.
• Assist in evaluating and deploying liquid handling systems, lab robotics, and scheduling software.
• Build and maintain automated protocols for sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, library prep, and functional assays.

System Integration and Programming

• Program and maintain robotic systems (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter) and integrate them with lab instrumentation (e.g., incubators, thermocyclers, plate readers).
• Support the setup and configuration of orchestration tools (e.g., Cellario, Green Button Go, Momentum).
• Troubleshoot process and equipment issues using a rigorous and methodical engineering approach.

Collaboration and Support

• Work closely with scientists and data teams to convert manual protocols into reproducible automated workflows.
• Train lab users on automated systems, support method transfers, and contribute to SOP documentation and change control processes.

Biosafety and Lab Integration

• Support the implementation of automation systems within BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Help optimizs equipment layouts and workflows within these controlled lab settings.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Robotics, Molecular Biology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proficiency with liquid handlers (e.g., Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman Coulter) and integration of lab instruments.
• Strong scripting and automation programming skills (e.g., VENUS, EVOware, Python) and familiarity with orchestration platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, test, and troubleshoot complex automated workflows.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Experience in pathogen genomics or phenotyping, especially within BSL-2/BSL-3 laboratories.
• Familiarity with LIMS systems and data-integrated lab environments.
• Understanding of molecular workflows such as DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, library preparation, and AST/MIC assays.
• Experience mentoring or training scientists and technicians on automated platforms.
• Experience in AI-driven lab automation, including integration of sensors, machine learning models, or closed-loop experimentation systems.

Benefits

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Salary: Competitive salary on offer
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electrical Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.