Material-Biomimetic Membrane Scientist

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Scientist I – Material-Biomimetic Membrane Scientist

Location: Onsite, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Level: Early career scientist

As a Scientist I within Illumina’s Materials and Applied Surface Science group in Cambridge, you will play an integral role in developing next-generation sequencing and array technologies, helping to drive innovation at the forefront of biological assay surface chemistry. Working within a highly collaborative global team, you will contribute to the development and maturation of novel technologies, supporting their progression from early-stage concepts through to product development.

This position offers exposure to cutting-edge tools, advanced hardware, and close collaboration with colleagues in the US through regular communication and occasional travel. It is an outstanding opportunity for an early-career scientist or recent graduate looking to make a meaningful impact in a world-leading biotechnology organisation.

You are a curious, innovative scientist with a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Molecular Science, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline. You are excited by the opportunity to work in a fast-paced research and development environment where scientific discovery and technology innovation are central to success.

Experience working with lipidic or biomimetic membrane systems would be highly advantageous, as would exposure to biological assays, surface chemistry, materials characterisation, or polymer-based technologies. You enjoy solving complex scientific challenges, are adaptable to learning new techniques and methodologies, and thrive when working across multidisciplinary teams.

To be successful in this role, you will possess strong experimental skills, excellent communication abilities, and the enthusiasm to contribute to both technology innovation and the successful transfer of new developments into product-focused environments. You will be comfortable collaborating with global colleagues and contributing to projects that have significant impact on future sequencing and array technologies.

• Design and execute experiments to support the development of next-generation sequencing and array technologies, with a particular focus on materials science, surface chemistry, biomimetic membrane systems, and biological assay applications.
• Contribute to the generation, evaluation, and maturation of innovative technologies, advancing concepts from early-stage research through development and supporting their transfer into product-focused environments.
• Analyse and interpret experimental data, troubleshoot technical challenges, communicate scientific findings, and maintain accurate documentation to ensure high-quality and reproducible research outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary and global teams, including regular engagement with US-based colleagues and occasional international travel, to share knowledge, drive project progress, and deliver technological innovations.
• Continuously build expertise in…