Laboratory Informatics & Automation Specialist
Job description
Laboratory Informatics & Automation Specialist
Salary: £35,000 - £45,000 + EMI Option Scheme
Contract type – Permanent, on-site
Xgenera is a diagnostic company developing a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test and preparing to establish a UK diagnostic service laboratory. We are looking for a practical Laboratory Informatics & Automation Specialist to develop and support the digital systems, data flows and automated processes required to operate our laboratory efficiently and at commercial scale.
This is a foundational individual-contributor role working across bioinformatics, laboratory operations, molecular biology, quality and external technology partners. Your initial focus will be laboratory informatics: helping to build, configure and maintain our LIMS, implement sample and data traceability, support laboratory data processing and reporting, and connect instruments and software systems. You will also be trained and supported to become Xgenera’s internal specialist for laboratory automation as our automated workflows are introduced and expanded.
Your role will be to understand laboratory processes, translate them into clear system requirements, configure and improve digital workflows, develop practical scripts and integrations, coordinate vendors, troubleshoot issues, document systems and ensure that critical informatics and automation knowledge is retained within Xgenera.
You will work closely with laboratory scientists, bioinformatics, Quality, software suppliers, LIMS providers and automation partners. The role offers varied, hands-on work across laboratory data, systems and process improvement, with the opportunity to build Xgenera’s laboratory informatics capability from the ground up and develop into the company’s long-term automation specialist.
Responsibilities
- Take day-to-day ownership of Xgenera’s laboratory informatics systems, including the LIMS, sample tracking, laboratory data flows and associated documentation
- Work with laboratory users and external suppliers to define requirements, configure workflows, test changes and continuously improve the LIMS and related systems
- Develop and maintain scripts, data transformations, reports, interfaces and practical software tools that reduce manual work and improve data quality
- Support the integration of laboratory instruments, barcode systems, databases, APIs and other software used across the sample-processing workflow
- Maintain clear traceability between samples, laboratory activities, instrument outputs, processed data and reported results
Essential Requirements
- Degree or equivalent experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, computer science, biomedical science, molecular biology or a related discipline
- Practical experience working with laboratory data, scientific software, databases, LIMS, electronic laboratory systems or similar operational systems
· Coding or scripting ability, preferably in Python, R, SQL or a similar language
- Ability to understand a scientific or operational workflow and translate it into clear data, system and user requirements
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with a willingness to investigate issues across software, data and laboratory processes
- Willingness to work in a fast-moving startup environment, take ownership of varied tasks and adapt priorities as the company develops
Desirable
- Experience configuring, implementing or supporting a LIMS, laboratory database, sample-management system or electronic laboratory notebook
- Experience with APIs, SQL databases, barcode systems, instrument data files, data pipelines, version control or software validation
- Experience with RT-qPCR, molecular diagnostics, clinical testing, blood-based assays, nucleic-acid workflows or bioinformatics analysis
- Experience in an ISO 15189, ISO 13485, GxP, UKAS, CAP/CLIA or other regulated environment; experience with laboratory automation or liquid-handling systems is helpful but not essential
Why work at Xgenera?
At Xgenera, you’ll be part of a team doing something truly unique and exciting: developing and bringing to market a multi-cancer early detection test with the potential to deliver huge societal benefit. As a start-up, we offer the chance to get involved in varied, meaningful work where your ideas, energy and expertise can have a real impact. You’ll join a small team of less than 10 that are ambitious, collaborative and deeply values-led, with integrity, innovation, transparency, compassion and a commitment to shaping a better future at the heart of everything we do. We care about our employees as people, and we’re building an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and be proud of the work they’re doing.
If you think you would be a good fit for this role, please send your CV, cover letter, and a 2-minute video of yourself answering the following questions to [email protected]:
1. How do you balance pragmatism and perfectionism?
2. Tell us about a laboratory, data or software process that you improved. What was the problem and what did you change?
3. What interests you about developing from a laboratory informatics role into Xgenera’s internal automation specialist?
Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
