Development Scientist
Location: Oxford, UK
Working Model: Fully Onsite
About Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Oxford Nanopore Technologies aims to bring the widest benefits to society by enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. We have developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information-rich, accessible, and affordable molecular analysis.
Our first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and we are developing technology for the analysis of other molecules, including proteins. Our tools help characterize the biology of humans, diseases (like cancer), plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. We are a UK-headquartered company with a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, operating globally with customers in more than 125 countries.
Role Overview
We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our Sequencing Development Team as a Development Scientist. This exciting and challenging role assists in the development of current and future sequencing products, focusing on using sequencing techniques to drive the integration and development of hardware, software, firmware, and flow cell chemistry.
You will be responsible for improving the performance and reliability of core sequencing devices, kits, and flow cells by feeding back issues and improvements to various stakeholders. This role is balanced with an even split between office-based analysis and laboratory-based tasks.
What We're Looking For
- Education: Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a relevant physical/biological field.
- Lab Skills: Working knowledge and experience of basic laboratory techniques (e.g., pipetting, use of thermocyclers).
- Technical Knowledge: Basic understanding of Linux, Python, and/or iPython notebooks.
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills for constant interaction within a multidisciplinary team (Research, Development, Production, and Informatics).
- Soft Skills: Strong attention to detail, high level of organization, and excellent problem-solving skills.
- Desirable: Experience in cell/blood extractions is a plus.
Growth Mindset: A willingness to learn and develop is essential; comprehensive training will be provided.
We encourage applications from individuals who:
- Are highly motivated and enjoy tackling new challenges.
- Can adapt quickly to a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Perform well under pressure and meet project deadlines.
Benefits
- Compensation: Excellent starting salary and an attractive bonus scheme.
- Future Security: Generous pension contributions.
- Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive private healthcare.
- Environment: Work in a beautiful, landscaped environment with tree-lined walks, water features, and a lake.
If you are looking to utilize your skills to make a real difference, 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, color, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications, and abilities.
#LI-onsite
About UsOxford 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.
Skills Required
- Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a relevant physical/biological field
- Working knowledge and experience of basic laboratory techniques (e.g., pipetting)
- Experience using thermocyclers
- Basic understanding of Linux
- Basic understanding of Python and/or iPython notebooks
- Strong communication skills for multidisciplinary team interaction
- Strong attention to detail, high level of organization, and excellent problem-solving skills
- Willingness to learn and develop (comprehensive training provided)
- Experience in cell/blood extractions
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Oxford Nanopore Technologies and has not been reviewed or approved by Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered good to above average across many roles, with employer-provided ranges visible for several U.S. commercial and applications positions and company materials emphasizing market‑competitive base pay. Commercial and some senior technical posts, particularly in the U.S., are positioned as competitive and often paired with strong variable components.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — All‑employee share plans in the UK and a U.S. employee stock purchase plan indicate broad access to equity as part of total reward. Company communications highlight attractive bonus and share plans that add meaningful upside beyond base pay.
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Healthcare Strength — U.S. roles indicate strong health insurance and core protections, while official materials and country overviews reference private medical coverage and wellbeing support. These elements position the health package as a notable strength alongside cash compensation.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Insights
What We Do
Our goal is to enable the analysis of anything, anywhere, by anyone. We have developed the world’s first and only nanopore DNA and RNA sequencing platform. It’s a new generation of sequencing technology — the only one to offer: scalability to portable or ultra-high throughput formats, real-time data delivery, and the ability to elucidate rich biological data. We are aiming to disrupt the way that biological analyses are currently performed, and open up new applications that have a profound, positive impact on society. Our devices offer real-time analysis, for rapid insights, in fully scalable formats — from pocket to population scale — and the technology is being used in more than 100 countries worldwide. Founded in 2005 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, the company now employs more than 600 people from multiple disciplines 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.
