Job Description

Oligonucleotide Development Scientist

About Oxford Nanopore Technologies

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. The company’s goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere.

Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology, enabling the real-time, high-performance, accessible and scalable analysis of DNA and RNA. The technology is used in more than 100 countries to understand the biology of humans and diseases, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. Oxford Nanopore’s sequencing platform is the only technology that offers real-time analysis in fully scalable formats, from pocket to population-scale, and the only one that can sequence native DNA or RNA samples, with no restriction on read length.

The Role

We are seeking a Oligonucleotide Development Scientist to join our oligonucleotide development team. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment focused on continuous process improvement and developing high-quality sequencing products.

As part of the oligonucleotide development team, you will contribute to defining technical requirements and specifications, facilitate oligonucleotide sourcing, and resolving oligonucleotide-related product performance and manufacturing challenges

In this role, you will apply your expertise in analytical and oligonucleotide chemistry to support oligonucleotide characterisation and stability studies, process development and supplier technical evaluation. This role is ideal for someone with strong laboratory experience, excellent communication and collaborative skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute experiments to evaluate oligonucleotide performance, stability and quality using molecular biology and analytical chemistry techniques.
• Develop analytical methods for the characterisation of oligonucleotides using HPLC, LC-MS, CE and other appropriate techniques.
• Support the development and optimisation of oligonucleotide purification and formulation processes.
• Maintain accurate, well-organised laboratory records and prepare clear technical reports and project documentation.
• Communicate experimental findings effectively.
• Support oligonucleotide sourcing by acting as the technical point of contact for external suppliers, defining technical specifications, evaluating supplier capabilities and facilitating knowledge transfer.
• Support the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, including maintaining reagent and consumable stock levels, coordinating equipment calibration and ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Ensure laboratory activities are conducted in accordance with applicable quality standards, including GLP/GxP and ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

What We're Looking For

• MSc, PhD or equivalent in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related scientific discipline.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation, particularly HPLC and LC-MS (experience with CE is advantageous).
• Practical laboratory experience in analytical chemistry and the characterisation of biomolecules.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design, execute and interpret experiments.
• Excellent organisational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience with oligonucleotide synthesis, purification and/or analytical characterisation.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, including PCR, library preparation and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• Experience working in a product development or manufacturing environment within industry.
• Experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs).
• Knowledge of quality management systems, including GLP and/or ISO 9001.
• Lab management experience.

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.

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.