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 seeking an experienced
Advanced Research Assistant to join The Parasites and Microbes programme (PaM) within the Wellcome Sanger Institute to work within the PaM Core Laboratory team on a
12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract with potential to extend to 15 months.
About The Role
You will work as part of our Core Lab team to support a range of projects from across PaM. You will work across multiple Faculty groups and centralised teams within the institute, to support a range of varied scientific projects
This role is a laboratory-based role (CL2 and/or CL3), where you will be responsible for conducting experiments with both routine techniques and bespoke processes. You will work with pathogenic organisms in areas including but not limited to microbiology and molecular assays along with culture and extraction of nucleic acids for downstream manipulation and sequencing.
You Will Be Responsible For
Carrying out experiments under the guidance of senior team members, working with autonomy and independence in the absence of direct supervision, ensuring timely delivery of project outputs for scientific analysis.
You will work to defined timeframes and perform technically challenging standard operating procedures (SOPs). You would apply knowledge and skills to support the modification and refinement of SOPs as part of process optimisation and adaptation
Managing conflicting interests and changing priorities of numerous projects, using effective time management, problem solving, communication and negotiating skills to ensure that the need to deliver on routine production tasks is balanced against the need to test, develop and establish new applications and methods.
About You
You will:
- have proven experience of working in a laboratory CL2 environment.
- be a confident communicator and have experience of working collaboratively with others in a professional environment.
- be organised with the ability to work flexibly to support a number of projects and changing priorities and have the ability to balance your workload accordingly.
- have excellent attention to detail and observational skills
Essential Technical Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or relevant laboratory/research experience
- Experience with core molecular and microbiology techniques, such as RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR, library preparation reactions
- Experience in planning and running experiments over several days
- Ability to develop, optimise and deploy laboratory protocols
Competencies And Behaviours
- Ability to work effectively, both independently and within a team, contributing to discussions and disseminating knowledge and information
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- Good problem solving skills
About Us
PaM uses genomic approaches to explore questions of basic science relating to the evolution and spread of bacterial pathogens, and to understand how genotypes and phenotypes relate to each other in both pathogens and hosts.
Your role will be based in the Operations team. As a unit, our focus is to maximise and support the scientific aims of the programme. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team and make an impactful difference to the science that is delivered. We will work with you to provide opportunities for growth and development within the role.
Other Information
This is an onsite working position.
Application Process
Please apply with your
CV and a
Cover letter outlining how you meet the essential skills set out above, why you want to apply to this role and what value/experience you can bring.
Salary per annum: £32,691 - £38,000
Software Developer job family: Grade 3 Role Profile
Contract Type: 12 months Maternity Cover
Closing Date: 24th August 2025
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.
