NGS Facility Lead

The NGS Facility Lead will head up the NGS Core Facility at OXGENE, contributing towards commercial and internal R&D projects, mainly focusing on applying NGS technologies to OXGENE’s viral vector and cell line engineering programmes.  

The primary role of the NGS Facility Lead is to run, coordinate and maintain the NGS Core Facility and be responsible for all sequencing endeavours within OXGENE utilizing both Nanopore and Illumina technologies. The NGS Core Facility lead will have acquired significant skills, preferably in an industry setting that allow them to operate independently and drive the development of OXGENE’s sequencing initiatives. The NGS Facility Lead will have significant leadership qualities and be responsible for all aspects of the NGS Facility. They will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to define and execute both project and team goals and deliverable in line with company objectives.

In performing their duties, the NGS Facility Lead demonstrates strict adherence to standard operating procedures, work instructions and QC processes. They are responsible for accurate record keeping ensuring data integrity and that work complies with recommended Health and Safety guidelines across the NGS Facility.

• Coordinating and managing all NGS Users across OXGENE, ensuring adherence to processes, procedures, and Facility goals.
• Proposing original research and development, novel ideas and concepts and new collaborative work.
• Provide NGS expertise and knowledge as required to support data analysis and interpretation.
• Subject Matter Expert in the maintainence and operation of our in-house sequencing platforms (Nanopore GridION and Illumina MiSeq)
• Take responsibility for data analysis with support from a Bioinformatician, report writing and customer/internal stakeholder meeting presentations.
• Run multiple project stages autonomously and concurrently.
• Author and review documentation such as SOP’s and reports, for established protocol and novel experimental development.
• Improving NGS protocols and methods to optimise existing strategies.
• Supporting cross-training across OXGENE.
• Proactively coordinating for cross-group collaborations and activities as appropriate.

Skills

• Ability to carry out research to broad targets and with limited supervision.
• Ability to estimate time and resources necessary for a project and to carry out risk assessments for that work.
• Awareness of commercial implications of research
• Monitoring, evaluating, and adapting projects as required.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in a relevant area employing documented wet-lab NGS approaches and bioinformatics or a MSc or BSc with extensive, relevant, and validated work experience.
• Extensive experience working with sequencing technologies including Nanopore, and Illumina within an academic or industrial environment.
• Strong proficiency with the execution of NGS bioinformatics analyses and data interpretation, including use of genome browsers like IGV.
• High-level attention to detail, and adherence to quality standards and standard operating procedures. 
• Excellent oral and written communication for internal and external audiences.
• Experience in experimental design with specific focus on downstream bioinformatic analysis. 
• Self-motivation; demonstrated success in delivering assigned tasks according to timelines and conducting independent research. 
• Strong project management skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and/or experience of viral vectors used for gene therapy, namely AAV, Adenovirus and Lentivirus would be extremely beneficial.
• Experience with ISO 9001 Operating Quality System.
• Experience in coding languages including Python, Bash and R.
• Experience of RNAseq, amplicon or library sequencing would be a distinct advantage. 

Job Location

We have offices in the UK and USA. This role will be located at The Oxford Science Park, four miles south east of Oxford, with parking and good public transport links from Oxford.   

Our UK office address is: The Oxford Science Park, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, OX4 4HG.  

How to Apply

Please complete the application form on our website and attach your CV.Your CV should include evidence that demonstrates how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks.   

Internal applicants: please apply directly to Human Resources, copying your line manager into the email.   

Sending us your personal information means that you are asking us to hold your data on file, and understand that we will only keep it for as long as we need it to comply with the Data Protection Act.  

Closing Date

This advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing the opportunity.  

Information for International Candidates  

By the start of employment, the successful candidate must have, and be able to demonstrate, permission to work in the UK.   

Unfortunately, as a small company, we have very limited ability to sponsor employees under skilled worker Visa route, and we are unable to sponsor this for international graduates / candidates.  

MORE ABOUT OXGENE  

Company benefits 

OXGENE offers a generous benefits package:  

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with service and 8 UK bank/public holidays per annual leave year and a day off on your birthday  
• Pension with salary exchange and generous employer contribution  
• Discretionary performance related annual bonus
• Group life cover  
• Group Income Protection   
• Glasses vouchers  
• Employee assistance programme  
• Private medical insurance with additional wellness benefits (as a benefit in kind)  
• Free tea, coffee, fruit-juice, fruit and biscuits, with kitchen facilities  

Company culture and environment 

OXGENE offers a friendly and diverse working environment:

• Opportunity to make a difference in a promotion-from-within environment  
• Regular whole-company presentations, including regular scientific updates  
• Regular social events, including TGI Friday activities  
• Annual staff away days 

Diversity and equality of opportunity 

We provide all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables and empowers everyone to develop and deliver professional excellence. We recognise that diversity is vital for innovation and creativity and value each individual’s contribution. OXGENE’s decision to employ and promote individuals will be determined by personal merit and the application of criteria related to the role. The ability to perform the role will be the primary consideration on entry into employment and to successfully pass probation.  

The application process    

When we receive your application, we will look at it carefully to see if you are right for the role. We aim to contact all successful candidates within 2-3 weeks of application. If you haven’t received a telephone call or an e-mail from us in this time, it means you have not been selected on this occasion.  

Due to the number of applications, we receive, we are unable to provide feedback for candidates who are not selected for interview. We thank you for your application and interest in OXGENE. 

Pre-employment screening 

All appointments will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work in the UK, proof of identity and references. 

Information for recruitment agencies  

We only accept CVs from our partnership recruitment agencies.