Scientist (Technical Operations)

Job Description
Oxford Nanopore Technologies is headquartered at the Oxford Science Park outside Oxford, UK, with satellite offices and commercial presence in many global locations across the US, APAC and Europe.

Oxford Nanopore employs from multiple subject areas including nanopore science, molecular biology and applications, informatics, engineering, electronics, manufacturing and commercialisation. The management team, led by CEO Dr Gordon Sanghera, has a track record of delivering disruptive technologies to the market.

Oxford Nanopore's sequencing platform is the only technology that offers real-time analysis (for rapid insights), in fully scalable formats from pocket to population scale, that can analyse native DNA or RNA and sequence any length of fragment to achieve short to ultra-long read lengths.

Our goal is to enable the analysis of any living thing, by anyone, anywhere. We offer real-time nanopore-based DNA/RNA sequencing technology: accessible, easy to use and fully scalable for any requirement.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join the Technical Operations Team as an Engineer/Scientist, whose primary role is to support Manufacturing.

The Details...
This exciting and challenging role is responsible for providing technical support, and driving continuous improvements, within end-to-end manufacture of novel fluidic chips / electrochemical arrays.

The successful candidate will work closely with Production and Third party suppliers to support and improve chip and flowcell manufacture.

• Supporting Production with technical issues, using techniques such as failure mode analysis, root cause analysis, six sigma.
• Data analysis & interpretation (ideally leveraging python programming).
• Establishing, monitoring, and analysis of effective in-process testing.
• Material and process characterisation & optimisation (design of experiments).
• Qualification of material / process / design changes.
• Identifying areas of Continuous Improvement, creating proposals, evaluating, and implementing
• Investigating non-conformances, identifying, and implementing effective corrective and preventative actions
• Working jointly with Third Parties to establish robust out of house processes, with appropriate quality measures
• Working with external suppliers on Specification setting; verifying and qualifying them.
• Reporting and presenting findings in a concise and clear manner
• Documenting changes.

What We Are Looking For...
A Materials Scientist/Engineer, Physicist, Surface Scientist, or similar, with strong data skills and experience of structured problem solving, ideally within a regulated manufacturing environment.

Experience of microfluidic system design, manufacture and analysis would be particularly useful. Familiarity with typical cleanroom processes, e.g. micro structuring and surface modification would be desirable, as would experience of material analysis on MEMS structures, and an appreciation of how the surface properties of such materials affect typical electrochemical/microfluidic systems.

Regular interaction with multidisciplinary teams is integral to the post, so good communication and presentation skills are essential. Change Control knowledge / experience is desirable.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with a relevant scientific background, and good problem-solving / analytical skills. Applicants should be highly motivated individuals who enjoy taking on new challenges, are quickly adaptable in an exciting and fast-paced environment, and who perform well under pressure.

We offer outstanding benefits to include an attractive bonus, generous pension contributions, private healthcare and an excellent starting salary.

If you are looking to utilise your skills to really make a difference to humankind, then consider joining our team and apply today

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

About Us
Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.