Tagomics is a Cambridge-based biotechnology company developing a next-generation multi-omic platform to transform how disease and drug safety are understood, measured and monitored.
Our proprietary technology extracts genetic, epigenetic and fragmentomic information from circulating cell-free DNA. Combined with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning, it enables deep biological insight across applications including drug safety, organ health monitoring and cancer detection.
We are expanding our multidisciplinary team at Babraham Research Campus to deliver projects for leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.
The Role
We are seeking a Scientist or Laboratory Technician to join our laboratory team.
This is a hands-on, laboratory-based role, focused primarily on processing cell-free DNA samples using an established genomic assay. You will play an important part in delivering high-quality data for our commercial partnerships, ensuring that samples are processed accurately, reproducibly and on schedule.
The role is ideally suited to someone who enjoys practical laboratory work, takes pride in producing reliable results and wants to see their work contribute directly to drug development and patient safety.
As your experience grows, there will be opportunities to contribute to assay optimisation, process improvement, automation, quality systems and the development of new products and applications.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Process clinical and preclinical samples using established molecular biology and next-generation sequencing workflows.
- Perform cell-free DNA extraction, library preparation, assay execution and associated quality-control procedures.
- Deliver laboratory work for commercial, collaborative and internal studies to agreed quality standards and timelines.
- Follow approved protocols and standard operating procedures accurately and consistently.
- Maintain clear, complete and traceable records of samples, reagents, equipment, assay runs and results.
- Review quality-control data and identify samples or runs that require further investigation.
- Support the preparation of samples and libraries for sequencing.
- Work closely with project, laboratory and computational teams to ensure successful study delivery.
Laboratory Operations and Quality
- Maintain organised and accurate sample inventories and laboratory records.
- Prepare reagents, buffers and assay materials in accordance with established procedures.
- Support routine equipment maintenance, calibration and performance checks.
- Monitor reagent stocks, expiry dates and consumable requirements.
- Contribute to a safe, efficient and well-organised laboratory environment.
- Support sample receipt, accessioning, storage and chain-of-custody activities.
- Work in accordance with the Tagomics Quality Management System and relevant laboratory standards.
- Assist with the preparation and revision of SOPs, worksheets, batch records and technical documentation.
Troubleshooting and Continuous Improvement
- Identify and communicate assay, sample or workflow issues promptly.
- Support investigations into failed or out-of-specification runs.
- Contribute practical ideas to improve assay reliability, throughput and efficiency.
- Help refine laboratory workflows, quality-control procedures and documentation.
- Support the qualification of new reagents, consumables or laboratory equipment.
- Participate in experiments evaluating changes to existing processes.
Product and Assay Development
As you gain experience with the technology, you may also contribute to:
- Development of new sample types, applications and product features.
- Stability, reproducibility and critical-parameter studies.
- Assay optimisation and robustness studies.
- Testing new protocols, reagents and workflow improvements.
- Verification and validation experiments.
- Automation and scale-up of laboratory processes.
- Design transfer and the implementation of production-ready laboratory workflows.
- Cross-functional projects with Product Development, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Automation and Quality teams.
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- Degree, MSc or equivalent practical experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biomedical science or a related discipline.
- Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques in an academic, clinical, biotechnology or commercial laboratory.
- Experience following detailed laboratory protocols and recording experimental work accurately.
- Strong practical laboratory skills and attention to detail.
- An understanding of the importance of sample integrity, contamination control and traceability.
- The ability to work carefully and consistently across repetitive or high-throughput workflows.
- A strong sense of ownership for the quality and timeliness of your work.
- The ability to organise laboratory activities and manage multiple batches or priorities.
- Confidence working independently once trained, while recognising when to escalate an issue.
- A systematic approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving.
- The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and growing biotechnology company.
- A willingness to work closely with scientists, technicians, computational biologists and project teams.
- An interest in understanding the science and purpose behind the assay.
- A proactive approach to learning new methods and improving existing processes.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- A commitment to creating a positive, supportive and high-quality laboratory culture.
Desirable
- Experience with next-generation sequencing library preparation.
- Experience extracting or analysing cell-free DNA.
- Familiarity with DNA methylation, epigenetics or multi-omic assays.
- Experience with liquid-handling automation or high-throughput laboratory platforms.
- Experience using laboratory information management systems or electronic laboratory notebooks.
- Experience working with clinical or preclinical samples.
- Familiarity with qPCR, fluorometric quantification, fragment analysis or sequencing quality control.
- Experience working within a Quality Management System, GCLP, GLP, ISO-accredited or regulated environment.
- Experience contributing to assay optimisation, verification or validation studies.
- An interest in drug development, drug safety, organ health or molecular diagnostics.
Our Hiring Process
Online screening call – A conversation about your laboratory experience, technical skills, career goals and questions about the role.
In-person team interview – Technical and practical discussions, an opportunity to meet the team and a tour of your future working environment.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Share option scheme.
- Matched pension contributions up to 8%.
- Private healthcare.
- Performance-related bonus scheme.
We are based at Babraham Research Campus, one of Europe’s leading life-science hubs, with modern accessible facilities, on-site parking, a gym, restaurant and pub, and easy access to the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Joining at this stage offers the opportunity to make a visible contribution to customer programmes, laboratory operations and the development of technology with the potential to improve drug development and patient safety.
Important Notes
We are not currently able to sponsor visas for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
No agencies please. Please apply via LinkedIn; we will not be accepting speculative CVs for this opening.
Tagomics is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.
