Laboratory Automation Specialist

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. We are looking for a Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist for a fixed-term contract to develop and deliver innovative laboratory automation solutions that enable science at scale at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Working within the Technical Development and Scale-up team (TDS), you will lead complex projects from concept and technology evaluation through to validation and implementation. This is an opportunity to combine technical expertise in automated liquid handling and laboratory robotics with project leadership and scientific collaboration in a world-leading genomics research environment., You will lead the development and implementation of automated laboratory workflows, identifying where technology can improve scientific capability, efficiency and scalability.

You will work across multi-functional teams and with external technology partners to turn complex requirements into robust solutions.

• Lead laboratory automation projects from concept and technology evaluation through to validation and implementation, balancing scientific requirements, cost, resources, timelines, quality and risk.
• Design and develop complex methods for automated liquid handling platforms, translating scientific protocols into robust, scalable workflows.
• Evaluate automation technologies and emerging solutions to identify the most appropriate approaches for scientific and operational requirements.
• Collaborate with faculty scientists, software developers and external partners to integrate new technologies, including integration with LIMS.
• Embed automated processes into Scientific Platforms, ensuring ongoing evaluation and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Share expertise by mentoring and supporting colleagues and contributing to a collaborative culture of innovation and shared learning.
• Please note:
  
  This role is based on-site.
• You will bring substantial hands-on laboratory automation experience and an ability to turn complex scientific requirements into effective automated solutions. Alongside your technical expertise, you will be comfortable leading projects, communicating with different audiences and collaborating across disciplines.
• Extensive experience of laboratory automation and automated liquid handling, including developing complex methods on platforms such as Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman or comparable technologies.
• Experience of developing, validating and implementing complex automated or high-throughput laboratory workflows.
• Ability to evaluate liquid handling and automation technologies critically, using performance data and scientific requirements to inform decisions.
• Experience integrating laboratory automation with LIMS, and producing technical documentation such as SOPs and risk assessments.
• Strong project delivery, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of biological science gained through relevant study and/or equivalent practical laboratory experience.
• Experience in automating cell-based assays and/or molecular biological techniques.
• Background in cellular biology and cell culture techniques
• Background in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Long Read Sequencing technologies, & sample preparation
• Experience in automating NGS and long-read library preparation processes
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

The TDS team is part of Scientific Platforms at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Our mission is to support cutting-edge research by…