Platform Research Scientist

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is headquartered at the Oxford Science Park outside Oxford, UK, with satellite offices and a 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, 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 are looking for scientist with expertise in material science and experience of using ONT platforms to join the Chip Research team. This position will be focussed on the development and testing of future products, with a particular focus on current and voltage sensing platforms.

The Details

The role will primarily focus on cleanroom processing, with elements of wafer fabrication, materials science, and both wet and dry electrical testing. This position is part of a broader project aimed at implementing high-density sensing platforms.

A graduate-level background (or equivalent) in Physics, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Bioengineering, Chemistry, or a related field is required.

Experience working with MEMS structures and nanofabrication is highly desirable. Strong knowledge of photolithography and micro/nanofabrication techniques is essential. Additionally, an understanding of surface properties in microfluidic systems-ideally supported by practical measurement experience-would be advantageous.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Degree in Materials/ Engineering / Chemistry / Physics or related field (Masters preferable) or equivalent experience
• 2+ years experience in research / development environment

Experience of working safely within a lab environment

• Experience of working with microfluidic devices
• Solid understanding of the fundamentals of surface science/material properties
• Hands-on experience of materials testing such as contact angle, microscopy SEM etc.
• Strong communication skills
• A Hands-on approach

Desirable

• Experience with Python scripts and Spotfire analysis
• Cleanroom experience

Role and Responsibilities

Working under supervision and as part of a team, you will lead efforts to demonstrate new methods of array fabrication that can be transferred to emerging platforms, while also testing and evaluating the resulting structures. You will be responsible for exploring the potential of new materials, conducting material and surface analysis, performing characterisation, and contributing to design discussions. Additionally, you will test and assess the impact of implemented changes on platform performance, and be expected to report and present your findings.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Design and fabrication of sensor related structures in a cleanroom environment to include photolithography processes
• Characterisation of materials and assembly processes using a range of techniques (contact angle, SEM, profilers, optical microscopy)
• Characterisation of surface and bulk properties of materials used for sensor manufacture
• The viability of new and novel materials for sensor layers upon new platforms
• Writing and editing electrical testing scripts
• Data analysis around relevant aspects of electrical testing
• Regular and timely communication between project team members to achieve optimal outcomes and performance
• Preparing technical reports, test procedures, process specifications and product documentation
• Providing input into experimental designs and method/protocol development

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.