Main Purpose of the Job

The Research Assistant will support the automation of high-throughput workflows for the Earlham Biofoundry at the Earlham Institute. The RA will play a key role in automating, troubleshooting, executing, and streamlining protocols to deliver research and service projects. They will work closely with the Biofoundry laboratory staff to plan, execute, and deliver high-throughput and/or novel techniques and projects. The RA will translate laboratory processes onto the Biofoundry's liquid handling robotics platforms, ensure the general maintenance and smooth operation of the Biofoundry laboratory, and provide training to other staff and collaborators. The RA’s work will support the Earlham Institute's Strategic Programs.

Key Relationships

Internal: Biofoundry group, Science Faculty and Research Teams, Business Development Team, Training Team.

External: Collaborators and Users, NBI colleagues, Health and Safety coordinators, and other stakeholders. Industry partners and technology suppliers, in particular robotics platform solution providers, visitors to EI.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Translating, developing, and optimizing manual laboratory processes for automated robotic systems to enhance sample throughput and precision, particularly in liquid-handling equipment. Contributing to collaborative research and service projects, as well as assisting in the general maintenance and operational efficiency of the laboratory.

30

Taking an active role in delivering service and research projects involving DNA construct building, strain engineering, and testing of engineered organisms, as required by the Biofoundry Manager, to minimize project delays and turnaround times.

25

Troubleshoot automated pipelines and project outcomes to ensure efficient and timely project delivery. Identify and resolve technical issues, optimize workflows, and continuously improve automation processes to enhance productivity and accuracy. Collaborate with team members to analyse results, implement solutions, and maintain high standards of quality.

10

Developing and delivering training on automation and robotic platforms to laboratory staff; advise EI researchers and the broader bioscience community to build collective expertise and promote best practices in automation, including through training and outreach activities. Stay up to date with novel automation equipment in the market to ensure the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including through training and outreach activities.

10

Ensuring that automation equipment is run safely and efficiently on a day-to-day basis, including compliance to health and safety procedures and SOPs (including writing and regular reviewing), daily general laboratory maintenance, and quality control and calibration, reporting issues to the the Biofoundry Manager.

10

Maintaining a detailed record of all activities using electronic notebook software; draft and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for automated workflows; and contribute to the dissemination of automation protocols, such as participating in publications and conferences.

10

Any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role, as agreed with the Biofoundry Manager

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Degree in relevant scientific subject (e.g. biology, engineering, computer science)

Essential

PhD in Molecular Biology or similar subject

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Familiarity with standard molecular biology laboratory techniques and instrumentation

Essential

Understanding of automation principles and pipelines for molecular biology techniques

Essential

Demonstrated rigorous and methodical approach to work and attention to detail

Essential

Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems

Essential

Demonstrated organisational skills, including ability to plan work of self

Essential

Familiarity and demonstrated confidence in use of Microsoft office programs, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Essential

Understanding of synthetic biology techniques, including DNA assembly, cloning, and strain engineering

Desirable

Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in automation, such as Python or R, and experience with DNA manipulation software, such as SnapGene or Benchling

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience working in a laboratory environment, delivering high quality analyses to standard operating procedures

Essential

Experience in programming languages commonly used in automation, such as Python and R

Desirable

Experience in writing automated scripts utilising commonly deployed lab automation software (e.g. Hamilton Venus software, Beckman Coulter Biomek software, Opentrons)

Desirable

Hands-on experience in molecular cloning, microbiology, and synthetic biology.

Desirable

Experience of working in a high-throughput scientific facility and/or service environment, including industrial settings

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to express self clearly to colleagues and communicate complex concepts efficiently

Essential

A collaborative attitude and excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills

Essential

Ability to work well under pressure

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to travel and very occasionally work non-conventional hour

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty

Group Details

The Earlham Biofoundry is a resource for the UK biology and biotechnology communities, providing a  platform for undertaking large-scale projects. We offer state-of-the-art laboratory automation suites, which, combined with expertise in large-scale experimentation and engineering biology, can be applied to a wide range of molecular and microbiological workflows.

Synthetic Biology integrates engineering principles, such as standardization and modularization, into biological sciences through iterative design-build-test-learn (DBTL) cycles. By standardizing biological components and reactions, we enable the automation of experimental workflows. This approach has the potential to revolutionize research by increasing speed and scale, improving accuracy, and enabling miniaturization to reduce costs. 

Our established automated workflows are available to researchers in both academia and industry and can be requested as a service. Alternatively, we welcome collaborative opportunities, where we contribute our scientific expertise and technical knowledge to develop new methods, automate processes, and scale up workflows applying synthetic biology approaches to tackle scientific challenges.

We also offer comprehensive training in laboratory automation through practical sessions, laboratory placements, specialized training courses, and by hosting collaborators.

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Research Assistant

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to join the Earlham Biofoundry team at the Earlham Institute.

Background:

The Earlham Institute (EI) is a research institute focused on decoding living systems by applying computational science and biotechnology to answer ambitious biological questions and generate enabling resources. The Earlham Biofoundry house suites of laboratory automation and expertise in engineering biology that have been used to scale-up molecular biology experimental process. It provides the UK bioscience community with access to automated platforms for nano-scale modular DNA assembly, strain engineering and fermentation screenings.

The role:

The Research Assistant (RA) will be responsible for translating, developing, and running manual laboratory processes on automated robotic systems to enhance sample throughput and precision in liquid-handling equipment.

This role involves actively participating in service and research projects, troubleshooting automated pipelines, and contributing to the overall efficiency and success of our lab. The RA will also contribute to the delivery of collaborative research and service projects and assist with general laboratory maintenance. Additionally, the RA will collaborate with team members to analyse results, implement solutions, and maintain high standards of quality. The role also includes developing and delivering training on automation and robotic platforms to laboratory staff.

The ideal candidate:

To be considered for this role, candidates must have experience in automated liquid handling equipment, protocol optimization, and scripting in languages like Python, R, using software such as Hamilton Venus or Opentrons. Experience in a lab environment with adherence to standard operating procedures is required.

Desirable skills include hands-on experience in molecular cloning, microbiology, synthetic biology, DNA in silico manipulation like Snapgene or Benchling; and experience with high-throughput experimentation in academic or industrial settings. Candidates must have a degree in a relevant scientific subject, such as biology, bioengineer, computer science, biotechnology or synthetic biology. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,000 to £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 24 months with the possibility of an extension.

Interviews will be held on 15 October 2024.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 19 September 2024.