Development Scientist - Oligonucleotide

Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Didcot
9 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Embedded Software Lead

Quality Manager

Mechanical Design Engineer

Development Engineer

Lead Innovation Engineer

Consultant/ Senior Consultant- Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing

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!

In this exciting and challenging role you will assist in expanding the nucleotide and oligonucleotide synthesis capabilities aimed at research and development within a newly established oligonucleotide facility.

Depending on experience, you will take on technical leadership roles and work closely with other members of the oligonucleotide facility team and develop new synthesis, purification and analytical methodologies/workflows for a wide range of critical long and modified DNA/RNA oligonucleotides.

In addition, you will play a collaborative role in the decision making of strategic objectives that influence future projects, the team and the company.

Tasks Will Include:

 

Developing an oligonucleotide synthesis pipeline to serve critical R&D projects. Developing synthesis methodologies for complex, modified and long DNA/RNA oligonucleotides. Improving purification and analytical workflows for synthesised oligonucleotides, introducing automation where possible. Analysing oligonucleotides by high-resolution CE, LC-MS and HPLC. Onboarding new technology and methods to improve operational effectiveness. Contributing to the scientific and technical training of the team. Promoting a safe working environment for all team members and a culture of continuous improvement for health & safety. Preparing clearly articulated progress reports and keeping well-organised experimental records. Working and communicating effectively across a number of research and development groups
 

What We're Looking For...
 

BSc, MSc or PhD degree in chemistry with industrial or equivalent experience. Strong experience in oligonucleotide synthesis Nucleosides, phosphoramidites and triphosphates synthesis experience would be a plus. Practical knowledge of small molecules and oligonucleotide analysis and purification. Strong problem solving and analytical skills. Strong attention to detail and a high level of organisation.
 

Training will be given and, as such, a willingness to learn and develop is essential.

Applications are encouraged from highly motivated individuals who enjoy taking on new challenges, are quickly adaptable in an exciting and fast-paced environment, and who perform well under pressure.

We offer outstanding benefits to include an attractive bonus, generous pension contributions, private healthcare and an excellent starting salary. Based within beautiful, landscaped surroundings with tree-lined walks, water features and a lake, all of which make for a wonderful working environment.

If you are looking to utilise your skills to really make a difference to humankind, then consider joining our team and apply today!

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Space Jobs in the UK Public Sector: Opportunities Across Defence, Research, and Beyond

The UK’s space sector is undergoing a renaissance, propelled by innovations in satellite technology, research on deep space missions, and a growing demand for earth observation data that underpins everything from climate monitoring to defence planning. While private companies like OneWeb, SSTL, and UK-based start-ups garner headlines, the public sector plays a pivotal role in shaping and supporting Britain’s space ambitions. From the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to research councils and national agencies, government bodies drive cutting-edge projects that require a broad range of skills—from engineering and astrophysics to policy and project management. For professionals looking to make a tangible impact on national priorities and scientific progress, space jobs in the UK public sector offer a unique combination of challenge, stability, and societal benefit. Whether you want to design next-generation satellites, coordinate launch sites, or develop satellite applications for healthcare and environmental services, this sector provides numerous pathways. In this extensive guide, we’ll delve into why space is a strategic focus for the UK government, highlight key public sector organisations, explore typical roles, discuss the essential skills and qualifications, and give you practical tips for landing a space job that shapes the future of British space endeavours.

Contract vs Permanent Space Jobs: Which Pays Better in 2025?

From small satellite launches to deep‑space exploration, the UK space industry is soaring to new heights. Innovations in rocket propulsion, Earth observation, satellite communications, and space debris management have created a thriving job market—ranging from satellite engineers and mission analysts to business development leads and regulatory experts. Yet, with so many emerging roles, professionals often wonder which type of employment—day‑rate contracting, fixed-term (FTC), or permanent positions—delivers the best pay and most favourable career conditions. In this blog post, we delve into the pros, cons, and earning potential of each employment format. We also provide sample take‑home pay scenarios to illustrate how annual income can differ when working as a self‑employed contractor vs. on an FTC or in a permanent role. If you are contemplating your next move in this exciting sector, read on to discover the key factors that will help you determine whether contract or permanent space jobs are more lucrative in 2025—and how each path aligns with your long‑term career goals.

Thales Alenia Space Jobs in 2025: Your Complete UK Guide to Building Europe’s Next‑Generation Satellites & Lunar Gateways

From pressurised modules orbiting the Moon to broadband mega‑constellations 1,200 km above Earth, Thales Alenia Space (TAS) sits at the heart of Europe’s space ambitions. A joint venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %), TAS employs more than 8,500 people across 17 sites—with growing hubs in Bristol and the Harwell Space Cluster. The firm is lead contractor for Europe’s IRIS² secure‑connect constellation (green‑lit in 2024) and supplies modules for NASA/ESA’s Lunar Gateway. Unsurprisingly, TAS has ramped up hiring: a quick scan of the Thales Alenia Space careers portal shows vacancies in systems engineering, RF payloads, AIT and mission operations. Whether you are a UK graduate dreaming of building communications payloads, a thermal engineer keen to keep lunar habitats at room temperature, or a programme manager itching to deliver the next Copernicus Earth‑observation satellite, this guide explains how to land a Thales Alenia Space job in 2025.