Research Assistant, NGS Screening (Functional Genomics)

Location: Babraham Research Park, Cambridge

Type: Full time / FTC - 12 month maternity cover

Start: Immediate

Salary: Competitive / Hours: 40 p/w

Lab based position

Your role in our team:

We are looking for a Research Assistant with experience in molecular biology and NGS library preparation to join our NGS Team. The role will support a programme focused on providing NGS services for bit.bio. You will also play a key role in the implementation of either existing technology or novel scientific advancements pertaining to the NGS Team and company-wide Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Reporting to a senior member of the NGS Team, you will work with a team of scientists being a point of contact for the wider R&D department.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Execution of NGS library preparation, including sample tracking, QC and data interpretation.
• Prepare NGS libraries for running Illumina sequencing platforms.
• Support and perform experimental work aimed to expand the NGS team's capacity and capabilities.
• Stay up to date with key aspects of NGS technologies.
• Seek and take responsibility in management of daily and weekly workload/tasks (in conjunction with direct line manager), becoming increasingly independent.
• Increasing with experience, become a point of contact within the NGS team for stakeholders.
• Monitor key areas of day-day laboratory activities - ensure the smooth running of the team’s activities and identify opportunities to improve and areas of risk.
• Actively engage in seeking training opportunities - attend seminars internal and external - both for personal and scientific development.

You…

• Have a Degree in Biological Sciences or proven practical experience in either molecular biology or NGS sample preparation.
• Proven ability to communicate research and project outputs, through written and oral communication.
• Ability to prioritise, organise and be responsible for own workload.

With essential experience in...

• Practical experience of PCR, RT-PCR, nucleic acid extraction and subsequent QC.
• Understanding of NGS techniques and their applications.
• Optimising SOPs/protocols, including experimental design and troubleshooting.

and possibly...

• Experience in high throughput NGS sample preparation on automation platforms.
• Proven record of contributing to research articles and publications.
• Practical experience of performing single-cell NGS technologies.
• Operating Illumina sequencing platforms.
• Track record of optimising scientific processes.