Research Assistant - Cambridge, United Kingdom - Wellcome Sanger Institute

Wellcome Sanger Institute

Verified Company

Cambridge, United Kingdom

4 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

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 four Research Assistants to join the Genomic Surveillance Laboratory Platforms (GSLP) team within the Sequencing Operations department here at the world-famous Wellcome Sanger Institute.

This role will initially be a fixed-term contract until the end of March 2025

The GSLP team generates genomic public health data for diseases that pose a threat to human health. Our team was originally set up to deliver large-scale sequencing of Covid-19 samples. To date, we have sequenced over 2.5 million samples.

This is an exciting time to join our team and contribute to the delivery of cutting-edge science. You will be provided with all the appropriate training to fulfil your role. We are also committed to supporting our staff in providing opportunities for growth and development.

About the Role:

This is a laboratory-based role where you will be responsible for performing routine techniques in a highly automated, high-throughput environment.

You will be expected to produce quality data and assist with the everyday running of the laboratory. Primarily, this will consist of routine sample selection, library preparation and sequencing on Illumina platforms.

The role holder will work as part of a wider team of research assistants, therefore, a willingness to help when demands are high and being a strong team player is essential.

As a Research Assistant, your role is to:

Perform routine laboratory processes in collaboration with your team members.
Recognise and flag anomalies to senior staff, carrying out basic troubleshooting and offering solutions.
Maintain equipment to ensure it is fit for purpose and operating within set validation criteria.
Contribute to the housekeeping tasks: monitor lab resources; perform weekly/monthly cleaning and maintenance regimes.
Adhere to risk assessments, SOPs, H&S procedures and quality policies.
Contribute to overall team goals whilst maintaining individual output.

About You:

BSc in biological sciences or equivalent lab experience.
Foundational understanding of molecular biology and experience with associated routine practical techniques.
Excellent organisational skills and an ability to manage competing priorities.
Strong interpersonal communication skills and effective teamwork, fostering positive team dynamics in a collaborative environment.
Ability to follow instructions accurately and efficiently, correctly interpret scientific data and work without supervision.
Good attention to detail; qualitydriven.
Adaptable to changing priorities in a fastpaced lab setting.
Computer literate: Microsoft Office programs including Word and Excel.
Understanding of Quality Management Systems, SOPs and H&S procedures.
Be a champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Desirable Skills:

Previous work experience as a technician/research assistant in a molecular biology laboratory.
Prior experience operating automated liquid handlers (SPT, Hamilton, Beckman, Agilent) with associated troubleshooting.
Demonstrable 5S/Lean training and an interest in process improvement.
Experience training others in scientific techniques.

About Us:

Following the successes of the GSLP team, we are now also contributing to the respiratory virus and microbiome initiative (RVI) and MalariaGEN research programmes.

The data we produce monitors the adaptation of diseases, influencing decision-making of governments and health organisations worldwide.

We're a diverse team that thrives on collaboration. We encourage active participation in campus-wide initiatives such as our Technician Commitment, Quality Assurance and Sustainability working groups.

Additional information

Applications:
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:
£25,700 - £30,900 depending on experience

Closing Date:
Sunday 19-NOV-23

Working at Wellcome Sanger:

Our flexible-hybrid working environment is designed to support a healthy work-life balance.

This means you can work flexibly with a combination of working from home, and working from our Campus to allow you to focus on being productive and part of the team while enjoying the benefits of working flexibly.

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 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.