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, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators 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 from lab to society. Explore more at www.eit.org .
Welcome to the Pathogen Project
Within this ecosystem, the Pathogen Project exemplifies EIT's dedication to ground-breaking science. It seeks to transform pathogen risk management, detection and response by leveraging Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. The goal is to power metagenomic devices using long-read sequencing technologies by building a comprehensive database of pathogen information to inform response. Enabled by Oracle Inc.'s cloud-computing scale and security, the Pathogen Project is advancing toward certified diagnostic tools for deployment in laboratories, hospitals, and public health organisations worldwide.
Your Role
The EIT Pathogen Programme - Applied Sequencing team is seeking an Electronic Instrumentation Engineer to help develop next-generation diagnostic technology. In this role, you'll work alongside experts in microfluidics, microbiology, and data engineering to specify, source and assemble off-the-shelf components into functional instrumentation for a point-of-care device capable of metagenomic sequencing through a microfluidic cartridge interface.
The work will focus on developing control systems for pumps, valves, actuators, and sensors used to manipulate fluids at the microscale - including movement, mixing, thermal control, and data capture. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative healthcare technology with real-world impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and engineer electrical systems for laboratory instrumentation integration and automation, from ELV (
- Develop power electronics and control architectures for new experimental setups, integrating instruments, sensors, and automation hardware.
- Specify and select components such as power supplies, connectors, sensors, control hardware, and safety interlocks to meet system and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with the Applied Sequencing Applications team to turn biological and experimental needs into practical, high-performance engineering solutions.
- Develop detailed system documentation, including ECAD-based schematics, wiring diagrams, and control layouts, to support design reviews and build processes.
- Drive R&D innovation by developing and testing new methods to automate wet-bench workflows and improve experimental reproducibility.
- Communicate design progress and technical findings through structured updates and presentations to project and leadership teams.
- Ensure all systems meet relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and internal quality requirements.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Degree or equivalent experience in Electronic, Mechatronic or Prototype Engineering.
- Strong practical understanding of ELV to benchtop electrical system design, including protection, earthing, and control integration.
- Proven experience designing and implementing electrical systems for instrumentation, automation, or laboratory environments.
- Relevant experience in PCB design, firmware development and embedded systems.
- Familiarity with micro-controllers, sensors, actuators, control interfaces, and integration of mixed-signal or Extra-low voltage systems.
- Ability to work effectively across disciplines and communicate technical reasoning clearly.
- Confident using ECAD tools to design, document, and visualise assemblies and control systems.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Practical skills in wiring, assembly, or commissioning prototype systems.
- Experience managing third-party builds, writing specifications, and working with contractors or suppliers.
- Background in laboratory or medical device automation, process control, or regulated systems.
- Experience performing risk assessments and supporting compliance testing.
- Knowledge of fluidic and thermal subsystems, including pumps, valves, motors, and sensors.
- Comfortable working as the sole electronic / Mechatronic engineer within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience with collaboration tools such as Jira or Confluence.
Key Attributes
- Team-oriented and collaborative, eager to contribute within multidisciplinary project teams.
- Excellent communicator, able to explain complex technical ideas clearly.
- Creative problem-solver who thrives in an experimental and fast-moving R&D setting.
- Detail-focused and organised, ensuring high standards across all project deliverables.
- Strong time management, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
Benefits
- Enhanced holiday pay
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Hospital Cash Plan
- Therapy Services
- Perk Box
- Electrical Car Scheme
Working Together - What It Involves
- You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).
#J-18808-Ljbffr