Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems - Pathogen

Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems - Pathogen

EIT - Ellison Institute of Technology

Oxford, United Kingdom

Your Role

At EIT we are seeking an experienced and detailed orientated Senior Scientist, Automated Diagnostic Systems to help develop a novel device-based metagenomic pathogen detection platform within the Pathogen Programme. Working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and engineering, you will translate molecular biology workflows into automated, integrated diagnostic systems.

You'll lead the development and optimisation of workflows for nucleic acid extraction, purification, library preparation, and sample processing within a fluidic device, helping to reduce technical risk and guide the platform from proof-of-concept through to prototype.

The role involves close collaboration with engineers, chemists, and scientists across disciplines to ensure biological workflows can be robustly implemented within an automated device architecture. We're particularly interested in candidates with experience developing automated molecular diagnostics, analytical instruments, or cartridge-based platforms, and translating manual laboratory processes into scalable automated systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute robust experiments to generate high-quality data and inform technical decisions;
• Translate molecular biology workflows into automated processes for integration within a diagnostic platform;
• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and quantitative methods to optimise workflow performance;
• Develop performance metrics and analytical frameworks to support iterative platform development;
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks, variability, and failure modes across integrated workflows;
• Generate insights that guide system design, including fluidics, reagents, automation, and overall architecture;
• Improve assay robustness, reproducibility, and scalability;
• Collaborate closely with biologists, chemists, and engineers to integrate biological workflows into automated systems;
• Provide technical leadership by defining experimental strategies, prioritising risks, and supporting prototype development.

Requirements

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or a related discipline;
• Experience developing molecular biology workflows in industrial or translational R&D environments;
• Proven track record of 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 across diverse sample types;
• Ability to design robust experiments and interpret results within complex systems;
• Experience identifying and resolving bottlenecks in integrated biochemical workflows;
• Strong understanding of assay performance, reproducibility, and quantitative development metrics;
• Experience balancing biological requirements with engineering constraints such as fluidics, automation, contamination control, and reagent stability;
• Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams spanning biology, chemistry, and engineering.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience developing automated molecular diagnostic platforms from concept to prototype;
• Experience with cartridge-based sample preparation systems and workflow integration;
• Experience developing integrated analytical or diagnostic instruments;
• Experience automating sequencing library preparation workflows;
• Familiarity with sequencing-based diagnostics, metagenomics, and NGS technologies;
• Experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing;
• Experience handling challenging clinical samples, including low biomass or inhibitor-rich specimens;
• Experience with microfluidics and miniaturised fluid handling systems;
• Experience collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers;
• Experience applying Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies;
• Knowledge of surface functionalisation, biomolecule immobilisation, or material-biomolecule interactions;
• Experience evaluating contaminants, inhibitors, and residual reagents within sample preparation workflows.