Senior Automation & Screening Scientist

As Senior Automation & Screening Scientist, you will play a critical role in advancing automated screening capabilities that support target discovery across Novo Nordisk Global Research. Working at the intersection of biology, automation and digital innovation, you will collaborate closely with Functional Genomics scientists to ensure that newly developed functional and phenotypic assays are automation-ready and can be efficiently onboarded onto end-to-end screening platforms. Partnering with automation engineers, you will optimize, troubleshoot and scale automated workflows, enabling robust, reproducible and high-quality medium-throughput functional genomics screening.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Collaborate closely with Functional Genomics scientists to translate validated functional and phenotypic assays into automation-ready protocols, ensuring assay robustness, reproducibility and compatibility with automated screening platforms.
• Design, adapt, optimize and validate automated workflows for cell-based functional and phenotypic screening assays, supporting their deployment and scale-up on end-to-end automation platforms.
• Partner with automation engineers to troubleshoot, refine and improve automated protocols, identifying and resolving workflow, instrumentation and process challenges to maximize screening performance and reliability.
• Execute and support automated medium-throughput functional genomics and phenotypic screening campaigns, ensuring high-quality data generation, operational excellence and adherence to established workflows.
• Analyze and interpret assay performance and screening datasets to evaluate workflow readiness, monitor platform performance and drive continuous improvement of automated screening processes.
• Contribute to the implementation of new automation technologies, digital tools and data-enabled solutions that enhance screening capabilities, increase operational efficiency and support reproducible science.
• Work collaboratively with scientists, automation specialists, software developers and external partners to establish next-generation automated screening capabilities that accelerate target discovery and biological insight generation.

You will contribute to the development of scalable automated screening capabilities by combining expertise in cell biology, laboratory automation and data-driven experimentation. Through close collaboration with scientists and automation engineers, you will help accelerate the deployment of functional and phenotypic assays, enabling robust medium-throughput functional genomics screening and enhancing our ability to discover and validate novel therapeutic targets.

Who you’ll work with

The Target Identification and Maturation (TIM) department, based at Novo Nordisk Research & Development UK (NNRDUK) in Oxford, is part of Novo Nordisk Global Research. TIM plays a pivotal role in discovering, validating, and advancing novel therapeutic targets that address unmet patient needs across Novo Nordisk’s research portfolio. Leveraging cutting-edge human biology, advanced experimental platforms, computational approaches, and translational science, the department generates insights that enable target identification, mechanistic understanding, and target maturation towards project initiation.

Our multidisciplinary teams work across the target discovery value chain, integrating in vitro and in silico capabilities, functional genomics, screening technologies, data science, and disease biology to uncover and de-risk new therapeutic opportunities. While maintaining a strong focus on cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and related co-morbidities, TIM also supports the exploration of emerging therapeutic areas and novel biological pathways.

The Oxford research centre thrives on collaboration. We maintain strong partnerships with leading academic institutions, particularly the University of Oxford, as well as biotechnology and technology partners worldwide. As part of a global research organisation, TIM works closely with colleagues in Denmark, Boston, and across Novo Nordisk Global Research to translate scientific discoveries into the next generation of innovative medicines for patients.

You are a curious and collaborative scientist who thrives at the interface of biology, technology and innovation. You enjoy solving complex challenges, identifying opportunities for improvement and working with diverse stakeholders to deliver impactful scientific solutions., * A PhD or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related scientific discipline.

• Typically, 5+ years of hands-on experience running and optimizing automated in vitro functional and phenotypic screens in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting, including the use of laboratory automation platforms, high-content screening technologies and data-driven workflow optimization.
• Demonstrated experience designing and adapting laboratory automation platforms to support functional and phenotypic assays, including protocol development, workflow optimization and troubleshooting of automated screening processes.
• Experience implementing, optimizing or troubleshooting digital tools and laboratory technologies that support scientific workflows and FAIR data practices.
• Strong independent problem-solving and analytical skills, with demonstrated experience optimising automated screening workflows, troubleshooting assay and platform performance, and leveraging experimental data to drive continuous process improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.

Useful, but not essential:

Experience within functional genomics, coding, scripting, AI-enabled tools or digital transformation initiatives would be advantageous.