Applications Scientist

About the role

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) is transforming the way scientists and researchers analyze DNA and RNA through real-time, accessible sequencing technology. Our innovative nanopore platform enables breakthroughs across research, clinical genomics, infectious disease, oncology, and many other fields. We are looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative Applications Scientist to join our Commercial Applications team in Alameda, California.

Responsibilities

• Experimental Design & Laboratory Research: Design and execute sequencing experiments, including library preparation strategies and sequencing workflows. Generate high-quality nanopore sequencing data from diverse sample types. Perform molecular biology techniques including: DNA and RNA extraction, library preparation, PCR, fragmentation and size selection, library quality control, cell culture, and troubleshoot technical challenges related to sample preparation, library construction, multiplexing strategies, and sequencing performance.
• Customer & Scientific Collaboration: Partner with customers and internal teams to support strategic research collaborations. Provide technical guidance on sequencing workflows, laboratory best practices, expected yields, and read-length optimization. Collaborate closely with bioinformatics scientists to analyze and interpret sequencing results. Contribute scientific expertise across multiple nanopore sequencing applications.
• Scientific Communication: Prepare technical reports, presentations, posters, application notes, and other customer-facing materials. Clearly communicate project outcomes and recommendations to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Laboratory Operations: Maintain laboratory inventory, including reagents, consumables, sequencing flow cells, and supplies. Ensure laboratory activities comply with quality standards, safety procedures, and operational best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related Life Science discipline with 1–3 years of industry experience, or Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Strong wet lab molecular biology experience gained through academic or industry research.
• Solid understanding of molecular biology principles and experimental design.
• Excellent troubleshooting and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS), particularly long-read sequencing technologies.
• Experience working directly with customers or external collaborators.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and computational analysis.
• Experience using Linux, command-line interfaces (CLI), HPC environments, Python, R, or data analysis workflows.
• Knowledge of genomics applications including transcriptomics, metagenomics, targeted sequencing, or whole genome sequencing.

Pay

The salary for this role is between $82,400 and $103,000 USD. The salary offered will reflect the skills and experience of the candidate. Certain roles within ONT are eligible for annual bonus and stock. These awards are allocated based on individual performance.

Schedule

Employees based in the US have the option to choose healthcare benefits, participate in the company 401(k) plan and company match, we also offer short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, and commuter benefits to name a few.

Benefits

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We select and employ candidates only in accordance with their merits, qualifications, and abilities to perform the duties of the job regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, color, age, disability, sexual orientation, military or veteran status.

About Us

Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.