BioTalent
Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems
Requirements
Requires a PhD or equivalent industry experience in molecular biology or a related discipline, plus experience developing and automating molecular biology workflows in industrial or translational R&D. Candidates should understand nucleic acid processing and assay performance, design robust experiments, interpret complex data, and work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Job Description
Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems
Oxford, UK | Molecular Diagnostics | Automation | NGS | Platform Development
An innovative and well-funded technology organisation is seeking a Senior Scientist to support the development of a next-generation sequencing-based diagnostic platform focused on infectious disease detection.
Working at the intersection of molecular biology, engineering, chemistry and automation, you will play a key role in translating laboratory workflows into integrated automated diagnostic systems. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of a novel sample-to-answer platform from proof of concept through to prototype.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and optimise workflows for nucleic acid extraction, purification, library preparation and sample processing.
- Translate manual molecular biology workflows into automated processes suitable for diagnostic platforms.
- Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and quantitative approaches to optimise system performance.
- Identify bottlenecks, variability and failure points across integrated workflows.
- Improve assay robustness, reproducibility and scalability.
- Generate data-driven insights to inform platform design, including fluidics, automation and reagent selection.
- Collaborate closely with scientists and engineers across multiple disciplines.
- Provide technical leadership and support prototype development activities.
Requirements
- PhD, or equivalent industry experience, in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry or a related discipline.
- Experience developing molecular biology workflows within industrial or translational R&D environments.
- Proven experience automating or semi-automating molecular biology workflows.
- Experience integrating biological workflows into analytical, diagnostic or cartridge-based platforms.
- Strong understanding of nucleic acid extraction, purification and analysis.
- Experience designing robust experiments and interpreting complex datasets.
- Knowledge of assay performance, reproducibility and development metrics.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable Experience
- Automated molecular diagnostic platform development.
- Cartridge-based sample preparation systems.
- Diagnostic or analytical instrument development.
- Sequencing library preparation automation.
- NGS, metagenomics or sequencing-based diagnostics.
- Oxford Nanopore sequencing.
- Microfluidics and fluid handling technologies.
- Challenging clinical sample preparation workflows.
- Collaboration with software, systems, electrical or mechanical engineering teams.
- Application of Design of Experiments (DoE).
Backgrounds of Interest
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Diagnostic Instrument Development
- Platform Development
- NGS Workflow Development
- Automated Sample Preparation
- Sequencing Technologies
- Microfluidics
- Biotechnology Product Development
- Translational R&D
Relocation support available. Sponsorship may be considered for exceptional candidates
Education
Skills
About BioTalent
BioTalent connects the global life sciences and technology community with the talent, leadership and workforce intelligence to push the boundaries of innovation in STEM and accelerate performance at every stage of growth. Through BioTalent, we deliver flexible, scalable hiring solutions built around your people strategy. Through BioX, we secure the executive talent that defines a company's trajectory. And through Talent Science™, we provide organisations with the quantitative workforce intelligence to know exactly who they need — before they start hiring. Our expert consultants focus on specialist areas including Research & Development, Data Science & AI, Clinical, Regulatory, Medical & Drug Safety, Medical Communications, Engineering & CQV, Manufacturing & Operations, Quality and Commercial. BioTalent is global, with offices in the UK (London), Europe (Munich, Zug, Basel) and across the USA (New York, San Diego, Miami and Boston). We are part of The IN Group, a collection of six award-winning talent brands that span recruitment, executive search, consultancy, advisory and talent management. All your end-to-end people solutions under one roof. Learn more at https://wearetig.com/ Ready to find exceptional talent, or secure your next opportunity in the life sciences sector? Get in touch at https://www.biotalent.com/contact-us