Scientist, Research Scientist, Data Scientist

About the Role

NPL is seeking a Scientist/Engineer or Higher Scientist in Biofoundry Automation to support the UK Reference Biofoundry. Based in Teddington the post will be integrated within the NPL’s research programme and capabilities for Engineering Biology, Metrology, and Standards including Cryo-EM laboratories.

This full-time Research Scientist job comes with a generous salary and benefits package.

You will join a multidisciplinary team developing reference materials, methods and datasets to address the challenges of reproducibility, traceability, and comparability in Engineering Biology.

In your work at NPL, you will:

• Maintain and develop software to orchestrate workflows for DNA and cell engineering
• Support data curation and machine-readable governance
• Maintain and implement data interoperability for AI-ready datasets
• Prepare technical data reports for publications and commercial contracts
• Contribute to the delivery of collaborative R&D projects in the UK and internationally

With a degree in engineering, physical or computer sciences, you

• have a solid knowledge in programming and coding (Python, Java)
• possess practical skills in machine learning, automated and robotic systems
• demonstrate a customer focused attitude and a good team working ethos
• work following standard operating procedures and health and safety regulations. Advantageous skills include experience:
• in high throughput analysis (DNA, cells), microfluidics and microarrays
• working in or with commercial companies or bio-foundries
• in single particle analysis, bioinformatics or omics

There will also be opportunities to develop and harness these skills in the NPL.

For research examples please see:

Boeuf,

A. et al. Nat Phys;
Dondi,

C., et al Nat Commun;
Hoose, A, et al Nat Rev Chem;
Briones,

A. et al iScience;
Kepiro, I. et al ACS Nano;
De Santis,

E. et al, Nat Commun

For industry case studies please see:

This role is being advertised across multiple salary zones. Offer and salary will be dependent on experience.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.