Advanced Laboratory Automation Specialist

• locations
• Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• job requisition id
• JR103319

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.

We are seeking a highly experienced Advanced Laboratory Automation Specialist to join the Laboratory Automation Team within the Sequencing Operations Research and Development group. This role will maintain, optimise, and continuously improve automated liquid handling workflows across Scientific Operations (SciOps), enhancing efficiency, reliability, and scalability. It will also provide technical direction and mentorship, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

About the role:

As an Advanced Automation Specialist, you will be responsible for maintaining and optimising automated liquid handling workflows across SciOps. You will drive the delivery of continuous improvement by developing and refining methods, ensuring our automation infrastructure remains robust and adaptable to evolving scientific needs.

Working closely with SciOps operational teams, you will generate proof-of-concept data, validate solutions, and communicate results to key stakeholders including senior management. You will provide technical direction and mentorship to Laboratory Automation Specialists, fostering a collaborative and accountable team culture that promotes professional growth, best practice, and continuous learning.

You will take an agile approach to changing requirements, supporting operational continuity while embedding sustainable improvements across the automation fleet.

Essential Skills:

• BSc. (or equivalent) in a biological science or equivalent experience.

• Extensive experience with laboratory automation and liquid handling.

• Proficient in designing and writing complex methods on automated liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman, etc.).

• Experience optimising and critically assessing liquid handling methods to meet desired requirements and specifications.

• Experience in communicating ideas, KPIs, and trends effectively both through written and verbal presentations.

• Ability to work in an independent manner under minimal supervision.

• Proven track record coaching and developing others to support independent working and ownership.

• Evidence of strong teamwork skills, including the ability to build constructive relationships and support colleagues in achieving common goals.

• Effective communicator and influencer, with the ability to develop and maintain relationships inside and outside their area of expertise.

• Background in automating Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and/or cell-based assays.

• Strong understanding of NGS technologies and/or cell and molecular biology techniques.

About you:

You will be an experienced laboratory automation specialist with a strong background in supporting day-to-day operations within a complex laboratory environment.

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 have the ability to balance shifting priorities while providing direction and mentorship to a team of Laboratory Automation Specialists. You will be confident in troubleshooting and optimising automated workflows, critically assessing performance data, and translating insights into practical improvements that enhance reliability and efficiency.

You will be proactive, adaptable, and solutions-focused, thriving in a fast-paced environment where collaboration, clear communication, and effective prioritisation are essential. You will have a strong focus on continuous improvement, fostering a positive team culture, and supporting the professional development of others.

About Us:

The two divisions relevant 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.

Other Information:

• Salary range: £40,523 - £48,629

• Contract Type: Permanent

Application Process:

Please include a cover letter along with your CV including details on how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role.

Closing date: 16th December

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

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.

Our Benefits:

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.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

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• locations
• Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

About Us

Life at the Sanger Institute is unique. We are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in genomic research. Our people are shaping the future by delivering life-changing science with the reach, scale, and creativity to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. 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.

Benefits

We offer an attractive benefits package at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. We appreciate the importance of achieving work-life balance and support this with a number of family and carer-friendly policies. Plus a flexible working policy for those who may wish to amend their working pattern or arrangement.

Visa Sponsorship

Each year, the Wellcome Sanger Institute welcomes researchers from around the world to the Genome Campus to collaborate and drive cutting-edge science. Whether you're joining as faculty, a postdoc, or a visitor, our dedicated International Team offers expert guidance and support throughout your journey, promoting the Institute’s global and collaborative ethos.