# Automation Scientist

**Company:** [Ellison Institute of Technology](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/tYoBQmFCuLVKUygNZbHUKp.md)
**Location:** Oxford, United Kingdom
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** AI & Robotics

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/8ef238f3-2601-4ee8-a8b4-b6541ee203b1)

## Description

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, policy makers, and entrepreneurs to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in four transformative areas:

-   Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
-   Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
-   Climate Change & Managing CO₂
-   Artificial Intelligence & Robotics

This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas for lab to society. Explore more at [www.eit.org](https://www.eit.or)

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is building the next generation of AI-driven, autonomous laboratories where experimental science, robotics, and machine learning integrate to design, execute, and optimise experiments dynamically. A critical purpose of our Autonomous Labs (AutoLabs) programme is to generate reliable, high-fidelity experimental data - both for EIT's own foundation models and for our partner Institutes. 

We are seeking a highly capable, hands-on Autonomous Laboratory Scientist to play a central role in this transformation.

## Requirements

**Key Responsibilities** 

-   Execute, optimise and design wet-lab workflows 

-   Translate scientific objectives into structured, reproducible, automation-ready protocols 

-   Read scientific literature and independently attempt, execute and troubleshoot protocols found in the literature in the wet lab 

-   Operate and support laboratory automation platforms, including liquid handling systems 

-   Contribute to the design, development, and maintenance of the automation platform, increasing its robustness and reliability 

-   Collaborate closely with automation engineers, AI researchers, and interdisciplinary scientific teams 

-   Maintain rigorous documentation, quality control, and biosafety compliance standards 

**Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience**  

-   A PhD in a STEM discipline or equivalent industry experience 

-   Strong hands-on experience from a wet-lab environment, with a genuine desire to do hands-on work at the bench 

-   Demonstrated ability to independently execute and troubleshoot laboratory workflows 

-   Experience translating experimental goals into structured, reproducible protocols 

-   High attention to detail and commitment to experimental quality 

-   Scientific curiosity that is open to any area of science (beyond just biology) 

-   A can-do, build-it-yourself attitude and comfort working in a fast-evolving, technology-driven laboratory environment 

**Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience (in rough order of desirability)**  

-   Operating automated laboratory systems (e.g., liquid handlers; experience with Hamilton and OpenTrons is particularly useful) 

-   Strong familiarity and hands-on experience with molecular biology workflows, particularly cell culturing and protein engineering 

-   Familiarity with structured data capture 

-   Exposure to programming (e.g., Python) and machine learning concepts 

You must be able to commute to Oxford 5 days a week for this role.

## Benefits

**We offer the following salary and benefits:**

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

Hospital Cash Plan

Therapy Services

Perk Box

Electric Car Scheme

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**Why work for EIT:**

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!