£32,691 – £38,000Full TimeEN
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 Parasites and Microbes programme (PaM) within the Wellcome Sanger Institute on Maternity Cover contract.
About the Role:
You will work as part of our Core Lab team to support a range of projects from across multiple Faculty groups in the programme 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.
Working 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
Regularly interacting with scientific staff to assess results and troubleshoot complex problems and interact with core Institute teams as part of sample management
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 working in a CL2 laboratory environment with infectious organismsand a strong track record of following safe and compliant laboratory practice. Confident and professional in how you communicate, you’ll work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and disciplines, contributing positively to a supportive and inclusive environment.
Highly organised and adaptable, you’ll be comfortable managing a varied workload, supporting multiple projects and responding effectively to changing priorities. You’ll also demonstrate excellent attention to detail and strong observational skills, ensuring accuracy, consistency and high-quality outputs in all aspects of your work.
Essential Technical Skills:
Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or relevant laboratory/research experience
Significant expertise in molecular and microbiology techniques, such as bacterial culture, RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR, library preparation reactions
Experience planning and executing multi-day experimental workflows
Demonstrate ability to develop, optimise and implement laboratory protocols
Knowledge of and interest in infectious disease biology
Essential 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 role is campus-based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and requires 100% on-site presence.
Hybrid or remote working is not available for this position due to the hands-on nature of the role.
Application Process:
As part of your application, please:
1.) Upload your CV
2.) Complete the following application form: https://forms.gle/1QHArPqSQFFtbMCZ7
To ensure your application is considered, please complete all screening questions; incomplete submissions will be automatically declined.
Salary per annum: £32,691 to £38,000 Role Profile
Research Assistant/Technical Specialist job family: Grade 3
Contract Length: 15 Months Maternity Cover
Closing Date: 29th March 2026
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.
