Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the CASM Support team as a Research Assistant for a 12 month fixed term contract. You will support a dynamic and expanding programme led by Dr David Adams, contributing directly to a wide variety of cutting-edge research projects. Working within the central support laboratory, you will gain hands-on experience in key molecular biology techniques and play an essential part in enabling faculty-wide science.

You will be responsible for:
Performing laboratory procedures including nucleic acid extraction, quality control (QC), and CRISPR library preparation. You will support day-to-day lab operations within a high-quality research environment and maintain accurate laboratory records while adhering to established protocols and quality standards.

About You:
You are a detail-oriented individual with a strong interest in laboratory science and a desire to contribute to impactful research. You are comfortable working as part of a team, eager to learn, and able to follow protocols with precision and care. Strong organisational and communication skills are essential, as is a proactive and adaptable mindset.

About Us:

The CASM (Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation) programme pioneers data aggregation and informatics innovation, develops high-throughput cellular models of cancer for genome-wide functional screens and drug testing, and explores basic scientific questions about the role somatic mutation plays in clonal evolution, ageing and development.

The CASM Support team works at the heart of this programme, providing high-quality technical support to a diverse portfolio of research projects. Our Silver LEAF-accredited lab reflects our commitment to sustainable science and operational excellence. Joining us means becoming part of a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven environment with opportunities for development and progression.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Degree or equivalent level qualification in a biological science
  
• Excellent theoretical understanding of molecular biology techniques e.g. nucleic acid isolation and purification, and PCR
  
• Theoretical understanding of genome engineering techniques e.g. CRISPR/Cas9
  
• Theoretical understanding of NGS
  
• Good computer skills with experience of standard office software (e.g. Excel, Word, Powerpoint)
  

Essential Competencies & Behaviours:

• Capable of working to a schedule, and delivering a variety of tasks simultaneously to agreed deadlines and standards
  
• Able to take instruction, and work to guidelines and SOPs, with appropriate use of initiative when necessary
  
• Able to work both as part of a team and also independently, once appropriate training and guidance have been provided
  
• Good communication skills to allow accurate exchange of information
  

Other Information:

Salary per annum: (dependent upon skills and experience): £26,525-£31,511

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a brief Covering letter outlining how you meet the skills set out above, why you want to apply to this role and what value/experience you can bring. Note that for internal applicants we can offer this 12-month fixed term position as a secondment. Please discuss with your line manager ahead of submitting your application.

Closing Date: 8th June 2025

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That's why we're committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.