Senior Research And Development Scientist

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 have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research and Development Scientist to join the Genomic Surveillance Unit here at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. This is a key role, leading multidisciplinary Research and Development projects, including mammalian cell culture, infection models, and cell screening.

If you're passionate about using genomics to make a real difference to public health on a national and global level, then keep reading!

About the role
As Senior Research and Development Scientist you will be responsible for:

• Establishing, performing and validating molecular and sequencing techniques including extraction and PCR for detection and profiling of pathogens from human and environmental samples
• Developing quantitative and quality assessment assays to generate nucleic acid material compatible with sequencing technologies and methods 
• Developing and testing, documenting, and promoting new methods and standard operating procedures for points 1 + 2 above
• Conducting laboratory and assay quality control and assurance.
• Leading the writing and publication of manuscripts and reports describing research results, in collaboration with the wider project team 
• Analysing pathogen genomes to identify conserved targets for amplification assays
• Applying knowledge and skills to support the modification and refinement of SOPs, with particular emphasis on scalability and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensuring that all work carried out is in accordance with the institute’s research policies to make sure it is ethical and legal
• Regularly interacting with scientific staff to assess results and troubleshoot complex problems
• Keeping up to date with the latest developments and R&D opportunities through literature review, site visits, attendance at science and technology meetings, and dialogue with external companies
• Initiating, developing and managing collaborations, networks or partnerships, with companies and scientists (both internal and external)
• Supporting, training, advising, mentoring and coaching other team members
• Encouraging a culture of honesty and openness within the group that permits all R&D peers to raise standards of work and behaviour
• Contributing to wider laboratory science as part of the Respiratory Virus and Microbiome Initiative (RVI) programme

About you
We are looking for dedicated and friendly people with great communication skills to join our team.

To excel in this role you will need the following skills and experience: 

Technical Skills

• PhD in biological sciences or equivalent relevant laboratory/research experience
• Postdoctoral or relevant experience with a publication record in a relevant subject
• Experience in the development of molecular diagnostics and genome sequencing of pathogens 
• High proficiency with molecular biology techniques including RNA/DNA extraction, RT-PCR, qPCR, sequencing 
• Experience working at Containment Level 2 (essential) and Containment Level 3 (desirable)

Competencies and Behaviours

• Ability to work effectively, both independently and within a team, contributing to discussions and disseminating knowledge and information
• Resilient and self-motivated to take learnings from unsuccessful experiments 
• Meticulous attention to detail 
• Excellent organisational and communication skills 
• Highly developed problem-solving skills 
• Experienced in planning experiments and research, and in setting strategic goals 
• Demonstrates inclusivity and respect for all 
• Strong Influencing skills 
• Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders 

About us

The Genomic Surveillance Unit is dedicated to global public health, bringing expertise in genomics, data science, product development, and sequencing operations to bear on surveillance solutions for important human diseases. We currently focus on malaria, COVID-19, and a range of other respiratory viruses.

The culture in the GSU is innovative, fast-paced, international, and multidisciplinary. With backgrounds in business, technology, academia, and global health, our team solves problems with perspectives from multiple angles.

Examples of our work include: 

• Extensive involvement in COVID-19 and respiratory virus surveillance activities in the UK, providing the UK Health Security Agency with insight to detect and manage outbreaks;
• Fighting malaria — a disease which kills hundreds of thousands of children every year — by tracking drug and insecticide resistance; 
• Working with research partners around the world to translate scientific discoveries into operational surveillance products; 

Our world-leading COVID-19 and malaria genomic surveillance streams have a proven track record of successful implementation. We support partners around the world at every stage of the process, from sample collection and lab set-up to training, data generation, and analysis.

Our priorities are to continually increase benefits to public health, while improving the accessibility and quality of genomic surveillance data. Driven by the needs of our partners, we create analytical tools, lab methods, and data pipelines that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

For more information, visit https://www.sanger.ac.uk/collaboration/genomic-surveillance-unit/ 

Additional information
Internal employees interested in applying for this role should apply through the internal Jobs Hub.

Please include a cover letter along with your CV. In your cover letter include detail on how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role described.

Salary: £53,700 - £64,500
Closing Date: Sunday 07-APR

View the Sanger Institute’s 2022-2023 Highlights here: https://bit.ly/SangerHighlights 

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

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and Development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members. 

For more information about our immigration service visit: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers/global-mobility-and-immigration-service/