Technical Specialist- Neurodegenerative Disease Spatial Transcriptomics

Overview

We are seeking a Technical Specialist to join the Bayraktar lab at the Wellcome Sanger Institute to generate large-scale single nucleus transcriptomic datasets of neurodegenerative diseases. Supported by Open Targets, the technical specialist will coordinate wet‑lab experiments for large-scale single nucleus RNA‑sequencing of patient tissue samples. The role can subsequently expand to supervise and coordinate Xenium spatial transcriptomic data generation in the project.

This position is for 2 years fixed term.

• De Jong, G. et al. A spatiotemporal cancer cell trajectory underlies glioblastoma heterogeneity. bioRxiv .653495 (2025).
• Saraswat, M. et al. Decoding Plasticity Regulators and Transition Trajectories in Glioblastoma with Single‑cell Multiomics. bioRxiv .653733 (2025).
• Lee, J. T. H. et al. Integrated histopathology, spatial and single cell transcriptomics resolve cellular drivers of early and late alveolar damage in COVID‑19. Nat Commun 16, 1979 (2025).
• Kleshchevnikov, V. et al. Cell2location maps fine‑grained cell types in spatial transcriptomics. Nat Biotechnol 40, 661‑671 (2022).
• Li, T. et al. Web Atlas pipeline for integrated single‑cell and spatial transcriptomic data. Nat Methods 22, 3‑5 (2025).

You will join a new project to create comparative cell atlases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). You will work with a close group of wet and dry lab collaborators to generate single nucleus transcriptomics datasets from brain tissue of over 200 patients. Your role will initially focus on tissue handling and single nucleus transcriptomics data generation.

The role can subsequently expand to supervise and coordinate spatial transcriptomic data generation in the project, with support from line manager.

This role would be an excellent fit for a wet‑lab scientist interested in single‑cell or spatial omics and neurodegeneration, with a clear career progression path. Experience in single cell/spatial omics and tissue handling is desirable, but not required and training will be provided. This project is part of a broader programme of work also including cellular screening led by Andrew Bassett’s team and collaborators across Oxford, Cambridge and London, and forms part of the Open Targets collaboration between academic and industrial partners to identify new drug targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

• MSc (or equivalent experience) in a biological science
• Experience working within a laboratory environment
• Prior experience or knowledge of tissue processing and molecular biology
• Ability to follow instructions and protocols accurately & efficiently
• Strict adherence to SOPs and attention to detail when performing routine tasks
• Ability to test, implement, and troubleshoot new techniques and protocols
• Proven ability to work effectively within a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to receive and give feedback
• Good organisational skills and record keeping
• A team player who enjoys working with others in a friendly and collegiate manner

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.

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…