Operations Team Lead – Genomics / DNA Sequencing

Saffron Walden, United Kingdom

2025-09-21 (Europe/London)

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.

We are offering an exciting permanent opportunity to join the Sequencing Operations team (SeqOps) as a Team Lead. This role is key in driving operational sequencing delivery, ensuring a customer focused approach and a timely service.

About the Role:

The Sequencing Operations team provides a centralised capability for both high and medium throughput services, as well as custom niche applications of sequencing technologies and pipelines.

You will be responsible for:

• Planning, scheduling, throughput and line management of team members working in the lab that support a specific service. Taking a lead role in the pipeline by troubleshooting problems, championing change and continuous improvement and answering technical queries from both team members and Scientific Service Representatives (SSRs)
• The quality of all data delivered, accountable for the timeliness of data delivery and manage the performance of all team members within your team

About You:

You will have relevant experience working in a supervisory role in a high throughput life science laboratory, with an interest in process improvement. You will thrive in a collaborative environment, where you have excellent team working and communication skills.

Essential Technical Skills:

• BSc in a biological science or equivalent.
• In depth knowledge of molecular biology and experience in a range of practical techniques
• Experience of working in a laboratory environment in a supervisory capacity
• Ability to correctly interpret scientific data and troubleshoot over a range of issues
• Experience with automation and high-throughput assays
• Strong understanding of workflow and the application of LEAN methodologies

Essential Competencies and Behaviours:

• A high level of interpersonal and communications skills
• A collaborative nature; demonstrable experience and skills in tact and diplomacy when dealing with difficult situations
• Strong customer focus, especially with regard to quality, service delivery & issue resolution.
• Proven ability to be able to manage conflicting demands
• Proven experience & ability of working in constantly changing environment holding the responsibility to interpret management information, amend plans and act
• Excellent organisational and planning skills in managing competing priorities in a busy environment
• Be a champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

About Us:

Sequencing Operations (SeqOps) is part of Scientific Operations at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Our mission is to support cutting-edge research by developing and delivering high-throughput genomic sequencing technologies.

Our work enables researchers to explore fundamental biological questions—ranging from cancer genomics to biodiversity studies. The SeqOps team is responsible for delivering high quality sequencing data and supporting the implementation of new Long Read sequencing technologies.

Application Process:

Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation for applying and demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria. Be sure to highlight your suitability for the role, referencing the criteria listed above and detailed in the job description.

• Salary per annum: £42,925 to £50,000 dependent upon skills and experience
• Scientific Management job family: Grade2 Role Profile
• Recruitment Process: Shortlisting w/c 22nd Sept, Interviews w/c 29th Sept or w/c 6th Oct
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Closing Date: 21st September 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.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.

For more information about our immigration service visit: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers/global-mobility-and-immigration-service/

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Job details

Title: Operations Team Lead – Genomics / DNA Sequencing

Employer: Wellcome Sanger Institute

Location: Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton Saffron Walden, United Kingdom

Published: 2025-09-02

Application deadline: 2025-09-21 23:59 (Europe/London)

Job type: Management / Leadership

Field: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, Management, Human Resource Management