Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.11

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$47,250.00
                                                             ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
                                                          DATED: JANUARY 1, 1998

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, JEFFREY S. WILLIAMS, ("Borrower"), promises to pay
to the order of GENOMIC SOLUTIONS INC., a Delaware corporation ("Lender"), at
4355 Varsity Drive, Suite E, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, or at such other place
as Lender may designate in writing, in lawful money of the United States of
America or shares of common stock of Genomic Solutions Inc. equal in fair market
value to the principal sum of Forty Seven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars
($47,250.00) plus interest as hereinafter provided, on or prior to the earlier
to occur of (i) five (5) years from the date of this promissory note (the
"Note") and (ii) in the event of termination of Mr. Williams' employment with
Genomic Solutions Inc. other than termination by Genomic Solutions Inc. without
cause, the Note and all interest accrued to date shall be immediately due and
payable on the date of termination. At the sole discretion of Borrower, this
Note may be prepaid prior to maturity in full or in part without premium or
penalty.

         Interest on the unpaid principal balance of the Note will accrue at a
rate of interest per annum equal to the medium term Applicable Federal Rate,
compounded annually, in effect as of the date of the Note, as determined under
Internal Revenue Code Section 1274(d) (the "Effective Rate"). Interest shall be
payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each quarter, commencing March
31, 1998, and continuing until all principal and interest due hereunder is paid
or otherwise discharged. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day
year, actual days elapsed.

         All payments received hereunder shall, at the option of Lender, first
be applied against accrued and unpaid interest and the balance against
principal. Borrower expressly assumes all risks of loss or delay in the delivery
of any payments made by mail, and no course of conduct or dealing shall affect
Borrower's assumption of these risks.

         The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default" under this Note: (i) Borrower fails to make any payment of principal or
interest when due under this Note or fails to perform or comply with, or
defaults with respect to, any of the terms, covenants, or conditions of this
Note; (ii) Borrower becomes insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they become
due or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (iii) a receiver or
a trustee is appointed for Borrower's assets, and such receiver or trustee is
not discharged within sixty (60) days of such appointment; or (iv) a proceeding
of any nature under the federal Bankruptcy Code, as amended, or any state
insolvency statute, is commenced by or against Borrower, and such proceeding, if
involuntary, is not set aside within sixty (60) days from the date of its
institution. On the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the
right to declare immediately due and payable the entire principal balance of
this Note and all accrued but unpaid interest, and the unpaid principal balance
of this Note and all unpaid interest which has accrued under this Note shall
thereafter bear interest at a rate which is three percent (3.0%) per annum
greater than the Effective Rate otherwise applicable. Upon occurrence of an
Event of Default, Borrower shall pay Lender, in addition to all other sums
provided in this Note, all of Lender's costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, incurred by Lender in the collection of all sums payable under
this Note.

         Acceptance by Lender of any payment in an amount less than the amount
then due shall be deemed an acceptance on account only, and Borrower's failure
to pay the entire amount then due shall be and continue to be a default. Upon
the occurrence of any default, neither the failure of Lender promptly to
exercise its right to declare the outstanding principal and accrued unpaid
interest hereunder to be immediately due and payable, nor the failure of Lender
to demand strict performance of any other obligation of Borrower or any other
person

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who may be liable hereunder, shall constitute a waiver of any such rights, nor a
waiver of such rights in connection with any future default on the part of
Borrower or any other person who may be liable hereunder.

         Borrower and all endorsees, sureties and guarantors hereof hereby
jointly and severally waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of
non-payment, notice of protest or protest of this Note, and Lender diligence in
collection or bringing suit, and do hereby consent to any and all extensions of
time, renewals, waivers or modifications as may be granted by Lender with
respect to payment or any other provisions of this Note. The liability of
Borrower under this Note shall be absolute and unconditional, without regard to
the liability of any other party.

         Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall
Borrower be required to pay a rate of interest in excess of the Maximum Rate.
The term "Maximum Rate" shall mean the maximum non-usurious rate of interest
that Lender is allowed to contract for, charge, take, reserve or receive under
the applicable laws of any applicable state or of the United States of America
(whichever from time to time permits the highest rate for the use, forbearance
or detention of money) after taking into account, to the extent required by
applicable law, any and all relevant payments or charges hereunder, or under any
other document or instrument executed and delivered in connection therewith and
the indebtedness evidenced hereby.

         In the event Lender ever receives, as interest, any amount in excess of
the Maximum Rate, such amount as would be excessive interest shall be deemed a
partial prepayment of principal, and, if the principal hereof is paid in full,
any remaining excess shall be returned to Borrower. In determining whether or
not the interest paid or payable, under any specified contingency, exceeds the
Maximum Rate, Borrower and Lender shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law,
(a) characterize any non-principal payment as an expense, fee, or premium rather
than as interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and
(c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread the total amount of interest through
the entire contemplated term of such indebtedness until payment in full of the
principal (including the period of any extension or renewal thereof) so that the
interest on account of such indebtedness shall not exceed the Maximum Rate.

         This Note shall be binding upon Borrower and its successors and
assigns, and the benefits hereof shall inure to Lender and its successors and
assigns. This Note has been executed in the State of Michigan, and all rights
and obligations hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Michigan.

                                                  BORROWER:

                                                  JEFFREY S. WILLIAMS

                                                  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Williams
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                      Jeffrey S. Williams

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.12

                         Dated   29th  January 1999
                         --------------------------
                               (1) DR KEVIN AUTON

                          (2) GENOMIC SOLUTIONS LIMITED

                          COMPROMISE AGREEMENT PURSUANT

                           TO SECTION 77(4)(aa) OF THE

                          SEX DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975,

                           SECTION (72)(4)(aa) OF THE

                            RACE RELATIONS ACT 1976,

                     SECTION 288(2A) OF THE TRADE UNION AND

                   LABOUR RELATIONS (CONSOLIDATION) ACT 1992,

            SECTION 9(2)(b) OF THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995

                           AND SECTION 203 (2) (f) OF

                         THE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 1996

                              Hewitson Becke + Shaw
                                   Solicitors
                                42 Newmarket Road
                                    Cambridge
                                     CB5 8EP

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AN AGREEMENT made the 29th, day of  January 1999
------------

BETWEEN

KEVIN AUTON of 42 Croftsfield Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire PE18 8ED
(hereinafter called "Dr Auton") of the first part and

GENOMIC SOLUTIONS LIMITED whose registered office is situate at Unit 3, Forge
Close, Little End Road, Eaton Socon, Huntingdon, PE19 3TP (hereinafter called
"the Company") of the second part.

WHEREAS:-

            (1)     Dr Auton's employment with the Company will terminate on
                    14th May 2000 ("the Termination Date") upon expiry of the
                    written notice given to Dr Auton on 15th November 1999
                    unless terminated earlier pursuant to clause 2.5 below..

            (2)     The Company has exercised its right pursuant to its
                    Employment Agreement ("the Employment Agreement") with Dr
                    Auton dated 9th December 1998 to require Dr Auton not to
                    attend, inter alia, his place of work.

                    Michael Barham, a Solicitor, of Messrs Barr Ellison of 39
                    Parkside, Cambridge CB1 1PN (hereinafter called "Mr Barham")
                    has been advising Dr Auton as to his rights arising upon
                    the said termination of his employment and in particular as
                    to any right which he has or may have to institute any
                    proceedings in an Employment Tribunal in respect of which a
                    Conciliation Officer is authorised to act by virtue of
                    section 18 of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 including
                    (but not limited to) any proceedings complaining that the
                    Company breached Dr Auton's contract of employment with it,
                    committed an act of discrimination against Dr Auton which
                    was unlawful by virtue of Part II of the Sex

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                    Discrimination Act 1975 ("the 1975 Act") or by virtue of
                    Part II of the Race Relations Act 1976 ("the 1976 Act") or
                    by virtue of Part II of the Disability Discrimination Act
                    1995 ("the 1995 Act"), breached the provisions of the Trade
                    Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 ("the
                    1992 Act"), unfairly dismissed Dr Auton in contravention of
                    the provisions of Chapter I of Part X to the Employment
                    Rights Act 1996 ("the 1996 Act") or that it made any
                    deduction from his wages or received any payment from him in
                    contravention of section 13)(1) or section 15(l) of the 1996
                    Act, all of which proceedings are referred to below as "the
                    Particular Proceedings".

          (4)       The parties acknowledge that Dr Auton has raised complaints
                    of the type more particularly described in recital (3) above
                    and that the purpose and intention of this Agreement is to
                    lawfully and validly exclude, waive and compromise such
                    complaints

WHEREBY IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
-------------------------------

1.       In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires the
         expression "Associated Company" shall mean:-

           1.1      a subsidiary or holding company of the Company or a
                    subsidiary of any such holding company;

           1.2      a company having an ordinary share capital of which not less
                    than 25 per cent is  owned directly or in directly by the
                    Company applying the provisions of Section 838 of the Income
                    and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 in the determination of
                    ownership;

           1.3      any other company which is a member of the Genomic group of
                    companies at the date hereof.

2.       Provided that Dr Auton has executed a copy of this Agreement and sent
         it to the Company or its Solicitors:

2.1      Between the date of this Agreement and 14th May 2000 Dr Auton's
         employment with the

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         Company will be subject to the terms of the Employment Agreement dated
         9th  December  1998 save as varied by this Agreement.

2.2      Dr Auton shall be entitled to all benefits arising under clauses 6 and
         9, save that the Company confirms that it will not exercise any
         discretion to award a bonus to Dr Auton pursuant to clause 6.1.2 of the
         Employment Agreement.

2.3      In addition to the continuing benefits referred to in clause 2.2 above
         Dr Auton shall be entitled to retain for his personal use the mobile
         telephone and lap top computer provided by the Company to Dr Auton
         until 14th May 2000.

2.4      Dr Auton will be entitled to seek alternative employment during the
         balance of his notice period and if called upon to do so by a
         prospective employer of Dr Auton, the Company will provide to that
         prospective employer a reference in respect of Dr Auton substantially
         in accordance with the tenor of the draft attached as the First
         Schedule hereto.

2.5      Dr Auton as a separate obligation will notify the Company if he is
         successful in obtaining alternative employment during the period up to
         14th May 2000 by contacting The Vice Chairman. In the event that such
         alternative employment can commence prior to 14th May 2000 the Company
         may, at its absolute discretion, release Dr Auton from his employment
         upon the condition that it has no obligation thereafter to pay him or
         provide any of the benefits provided for in the Employment Agreement or
         those referred to in clause 2.3 above and that the deemed termination
         date for the purposes of clause 18 of the Employment Agreement shall be
         14th May 2000.

2.6      The Company will within 28 Days pay to Dr Auton the sum of $16 000 less
         tax and National Insurance contributions and in consideration for that
         payment Dr Auton shall take all necessary steps and execute all
         necessary documents to ensure the relinquishing of all Dr Auton's
         rights, duties and obligations pursuant to the promissory note dated
         28th October 1999 and its attached warrants which documents are
         attached for the avoidance of doubt as the Third Schedule to this
         Agreement.

2.7      Dr Auton hereby acknowledges that thereafter he will have no rights
         arising from the

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         documents referred to in clause 2.7 or the transfer thereof

2.8      The Company shall procure that Dr Auton be permitted to exercise 37,500
         of the options vested or to be vested in his favour arising from the
         Genomic Solutions Inc 1998 Stock Options Plan Incentive Stock Option
         Agreement provided that such options must be exercised within 90 days
         of the Termination Date or any earlier termination date. For the
         avoidance of doubt, under the above arrangement it is intended by the
         parties that Dr Auton shall be entitled to exercise 25 000 shares from
         his first option agreement which total shall include any shares which
         had vested prior to the Termination date. In relation to his second
         option agreement Dr Auton shall be entitled to exercise 12 500 shares.

2.9      make a contribution to Dr Auton's adviser's fees in this matter, such
         contribution to be of no more than Pound Sterling 750 plus Value Added
         Tax and to be made forthwith upon production to the Company of Barr
         Ellison's invoice (addressed to Dr Auton but shown as payable by the
         Company) for advising Dr Auton on the terms and effect of this
         Agreement.

3.       Dr Auton HEREBY ACCEPTS the monies and the benefits to be provided to
         him under clause 2 above in full and final settlement of all and any
         claims and rights of action (including the Particular Proceedings and
         any claims or rights of action under equity, contract, statute, tort or
         European law) which he has or may have against the Company or any
         Associated Company arising from or connected with his employment by the
         Company or the termination thereof (except in relation to any claim for
         personal injury which Dr Auton may have against the Company) and HEREBY
         AGREES to refrain from instituting the Particular Proceedings.

4.       Dr Auton HEREBY AGREES pursuant to clause 15 of the Employment
         Agreement to resign as a Director of the Company.

5.       For the avoidance of doubt, the benefits referred to in clause 2 above
         shall be provided on condition that if:

         5.1   contrary to the intention of the parties Dr Auton's right to
               present an unfair dismissal claim against the Company has not
               been validly and lawfully excluded

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               by the provisions of this Agreement;

         5.2   Dr Auton should commence proceedings against the Company for
               unfair dismissal; and

         5.3   an Employment Tribunal should find that he was unfairly dismissed
               by the Company (which is denied)

         The value of the said benefits shall be brought into account by him in
         calculating any compensatory award to which he may be entitled pursuant
         to section 123 of the 1996 Act.

6.       Dr Auton HEREBY CONFIRMS that he has complied with clause 16.2 of the
         Employment Agreement.

7.       The parties HEREBY AGREE that they shall not make or publish by any
         means or medium whatsoever to any person, firm, company, organisation
         or body wheresoever (or cause or procure to be so made or published)
         any statement or communication (whether transmitted orally, in writing
         or electronically) concerning the circumstances surrounding the
         termination of Dr Auton's employment with the Company or the reasons
         for such termination SAVE FOR the statement attached as the Second
         Schedule hereto.

8.       In consideration of the payment to him by the Company of the sum of
         Pound Sterling 10.00, less Income Tax (which payment shall be made on
         the date of this Agreement) Dr Auton HEREBY UNDERTAKES to the Company
         that he shall keep the terms of this Agreement confidential and not
         disclose its terms to any person, firm, company, organisation or body
         without the prior written permission of a Director of the Company
         PROVIDED THAT nothing contained in this clause 8 shall prevent Dr Auton
         from disclosing the terms of this Agreement to his spouse or partner or
         the Inland Revenue or the Department of Social Security or pursuant to
         any Order of a Court or Tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

9.       Dr Auton HEREBY WARRANTS to the Company that he received advice from Mr
         Barham as to the terms and effect of this Agreement prior to Dr Auton
         executing the

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         same and (in particular) as to its effect on his ability to institute
         the Particular Proceedings believing (to the best of his knowledge,
         information and belief) Mr Barham to have been a "relevant independent
         adviser" at the time or times such advice was given having regard to
         the definitions given to those words by section 77(4B) of the 1975 Act,
         section 72(4B) of the 1976 Act, section 288(4) of the 1992 Act, section
         9(4) of the 1995 Act and section 203(4) of the 1996 Act, as each of
         those sections have been amended by the provisions of the Employment
         Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998.

10.      A true copy of a letter dated 29 December 1999 from Barr Ellison to the
         Company's Solicitors is attached as the Third Schedule hereto.

11.      The parties HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE that the conditions (as far as
         they understand them) regulating compromise agreements under the 1975
         Act, the 1976 Act, the 1992 Act, the 1995 Act and the 1996 Act are
         satisfied by the terms of this Agreement and by the letter attached as
         the Third Schedule hereto.

12.      This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the law of England
         and Wales.

AS WITNESS WHEREOF Dr Auton and a duly authorised representative of the Company
------------------
have set their hands the day and year first above written.

SIGNED by the said         )
DR KEVIN AUTON             ) /s/ Kevin Auton
in the presence of:        )

SIGNED by   )
duly authorised to do so   )
for and behalf of          )
GENOMIC SOLUTIONS LIMITED  ) /s/ P. Nicholas King
in the presence of:        )

                                      -6-

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