Research Assistant

• locations
• Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• job requisition id
• JR103231

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.

Here at the world-famous and internationally respected Wellcome Sanger Institute, we have three exciting opportunities for self-motivated and enthusiastic Research Assistants to join the Long Read Team within the Sequencing Operations department.

About the Role

This is a laboratory-based role where you will be responsible for performing routine techniques in a high throughput environment, generating DNA libraries using a variety of automation platforms (Tecan, Agilent Bravo, Hamilton and Beckman Coulter BioMek liquid handling platforms).

Working as part of a team, you will be expected to:

• Plan, organise and schedule own workload in line with priorities
• Recognise and flag anomalies to senior staff
• Maintain equipment to ensure it is fit for purpose and operating within set validation criteria
• Help with the day-to-day running of the laboratory, and keep track of your own training records

Essential skills

• BSc in a biological Science or relevant experience.
• A basic and general understanding of molecular biology and associated practical techniques relevant to the role.
• Computer literate: Google Sheets and Office Suite.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills in managing competing priorities in a busy environment.
• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to follow instructions accurately and efficiently, correctly interpret basic scientific data and work without supervision.
• Understanding of Quality Management Systems, SOPs and H&S procedures.

About the Team

The Sequencing Operations department (SeqOps) has a central role within the Institute, delivering high quality data to our faculty and their collaborators over a range of techniques and platforms. These include, but are not limited to, performing Extractions and Sequencing using Illumina, PacBio and Oxford Nanopore technologies.

Other information

Please apply with your CV and a Cover Letter addressing how you meet the criteria set out above and in the job description.

Salary: £26,525-£31,829 per annum

Closing Date: 30th September 2025

Contract Type: Permanent

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.

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.