Lab Scientist - Undergraduate Placement: 12 Months

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Granta Park, Cambridge (onsite)

Closing date: 25th February 2025

Are you seeking a company that will offer you rewarding, challenging work and a chance to make a difference? Then you should consider Illumina's Early Talent Programme. Our mission? To help improve human health by unlocking the power of the genome.

Please note you will need to be studying in the UK to be eligible for this position.

About us

We have established ourselves as the global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies through our focus on innovation, serving customers in the research, clinical and applied markets. We currently facilitate a myriad of processes in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments.

When you join the high-performing team at Illumina, your work takes on new meaning—to an exponential degree. Our growth, our positive culture, and the impact our products are having in the world will ignite the same passion in you that drives our people forward. And together, we accomplish things beyond expectations.

The role

This role is a 12-month placement starting in July 2026, ending in July 2027. Based at our offices in Granta Park, Cambridge. Our program focuses on meaningful project work, professional and personal development, in addition to providing networking opportunities.

Your team

The Illumina Solutions Centre labs in Cambridge support a wide range of activities that enable our scientists and customers across Europe to achieve exceptional outcomes. These labs serve as a hub for hands‑on discovery, technical learning, and customer partnership, reflecting our commitment to Innovate with Purpose and Make Customers Heroes.

Key services delivered by the Solutions Centre include instrumentation and workflow training for internal teams and customers, lab tours that showcase the depth of Illumina’s technology, and support for internal scientific and operational requests. The team also prepares and sequences customer samples to assist with troubleshooting investigations, increase customer throughput capacity, and contribute to Workflow Design & Evaluation (WDE) studies. Each WDE is managed like a focused research project—from experimental design through to processing, sequencing, and analysis—requiring close collaboration with Illumina scientists, Sales teams, and our customers. This cross‑functional approach embodies our Win Together mindset as we work to deliver insights that advance genomic exploration.

This position plays a central role in supporting the day‑to‑day operation of the Illumina Solutions Centre labs. You will receive training comparable to that of a Field Application Scientist and other technical support colleagues across the Illumina product portfolio. You will also contribute to the ongoing upkeep and compliance of our ISO13485:2016 certified lab complex, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and operational integrity in all aspects of laboratory practice.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Participating in weekly & monthly cleaning of lab equipment & environment.

• Assistance with all lab processes required to maintain ISO13485 certification.

• Advanced duties could include testing of automated workflows and taking part in other on-demand projects.

• EHS documentation write-up (Risk Assessments and COSHH).

• Perform lab tours for internal and external stakeholders.

• Taking part in continuous improvement projects (process improvement and 6S).

• Stock management: ordering, receiving, logging in/out and storage of reagents & consumables for training and other lab activities.

• Support activities for lab users can include DNA quantification by Qubit & TapeStation traces, transferring reagents and consumables into the labs.

Preferred experience and qualifications:

To apply for this position, you will be a current undergraduate student in molecular biology or related discipline.

Our Recruitment Process

After initial screening, you’ll participate in an interview with a Talent Acquisition Partner to walk through the placement process and ask any questions you may have. Subsequent steps include:

• Recorded Video Interview

• Panel Interview – Meet the Team

• Offer

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact us.