Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist

Due to an acceleration in exciting, scientific growth at the Wellcome Sanger Institute , DNA Pipelines Technology Development is expanding its team of automation specialists to identify significant opportunities to improve processes across Scientific Operations (SciOps) and be responsible for fully project managing the implementation of these changes.

About the Role:

As a Senior Automation Specialist, you will:

• Create a clear strategic vision for all automated workflows in CellOps and DNA Pipelines.
• Ensure a consistent approach that creates the greatest utility of technology.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of the work being performed, in order to identify areas where automation would be beneficial.
• Develop and implement optimal solutions to lead the evolution of our processes.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, ensuring end to end embedding of processes.
• Work closely with external collaborators to bring in new technology.

You will have the opportunity in this role to join a team which takes a collaborative approach to project delivery and works in partnership with other SciOps groups to deliver strategic goals.

About You:

• An adaptive and entrepreneurial thinker with a track record in initiating concepts and project managing them through to completion.
• Able to critically evaluate liquid handling platforms and performance data to identify the optimal technology.
• Able to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and influence a range of internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Comfortable working independently and prioritising your workload to meet objectives effectively and efficiently.
• Have strategic awareness and the ability to support large-scale projects in a complex, ever-changing environment.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of method writing on large liquid handling platforms (e.g. Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman etc.) within the context of high throughput pipeline development. You will be agile in response to changing requirements with a focus on efficiency and continuous process improvement.

Additional Information:

https://www.sanger.ac.uk/programme/cellular-generation/ 

https://www.sanger.ac.uk/group/operations-dna-pipelines/

https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/who-we-are/sanger-institute/our-vision/

Essential Skills

• BSc. (or equivalent) in a biological science or equivalent experience (E)
• Extensive experience in laboratory automation and liquid handling (E)
• Demonstrated track record managing the implementation of complex automated workflows (E)
• Experience of evaluating liquid handling technologies and critically assessing performance against strategic requirements (E)
• Proficient designing and writing complex methods on automated liquid handling platforms (e.g. Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman etc.) (E)
• Experience in writing reports on project status and critically evaluated KPIs. (E)
• Ability to promote ideas and project success through oral and/or written presentations (E)
• Experience in writing SOPs and risk assessment (E)
• Ability to work in an independent manner under minimal supervision (E)
• Proven effectiveness as a team player (E)
• Adaptive and entrepreneurial thinking aimed at process improvement with a track record in initiating concepts and driving them through to completion (E)
• Track record of delivering projects to agreed schedules, budgets and quality standards (E)
• Proven organisational skills with the ability to plan and schedule themselves and others resource (E)
• Effective communicator and influencer with the ability to develop and maintain relationships inside and outside area of expertise (E)  

• Experience in integrating automation into laboratory informatics systems (D)
• Background in automating cell-based assays and/or molecular biological techniques (D)
• Strong understanding of cell and molecular biology, cell culture techniques, gene editing methods, high throughput screening & sample preparation (D)
• Strong understanding of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Long Read Sequencing technologies, & sample preparation (D)
• Experience in automating NGS and Long Read library preparation processes (D)

Other information

Please include a covering letter with your CV and application, outlining your suitability for the role using the criteria set out above and in the job description.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the role may close when a successful appointment has been made

About Us:

The two divisions relevant to these roles are Cellular Operations (CellOps) and DNA Pipelines (DNAP). CellOps specialises in large-scale cell biology research and is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of the Institute. To date, our focus has been cell line engineering, cell model derivation and differentiation, whole-genome CRISPR screening, Spatial Genomics, management of biological resources, and flow cytometry. CellOps have minimal experience in the field of automation and are looking for a specialist to help reshape how we deliver science at scale.

DNA Pipelines’ primary function is to generate high-quality data and resources by translating ambitious experimental ideas into pipelines for our research faculty to deliver the Institute’s scientific goals.  In addition to this, DNA Pipelines are collaborating with external organisations to deliver genomic sequences for the world-leading data resource UK Biobank, and supporting public health by taking a leading role in the COG-UK consortium, sequencing SARS-CoV-2 genomes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.