Flow Cytometry Specialist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Flow Cytometry Core Manager is a contract position serving as the primary scientific and operational lead for the flow cytometry core at the Client site, overseeing a suite of instruments spanning conventional, spectral, imaging, and cell sorting platforms.
• This individual is responsible for the daily operation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of all flow cytometry instrumentation, as well as providing expert-level technical guidance to internal users across research teams.
• This role will support research programs across cross-functional teams.
• The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in flow cytometry with strong organizational skills and a service-oriented mindset, balancing hands-on instrument ownership with proactive user support, rigorous record-keeping, and effective vendor management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Instrument Operations & Maintenance:

• Perform daily startup and shutdown procedures for all instruments (Client Symphony, Client FACSLyric, Client Attune CytPix, Opteon, Guava, and Sony cell sorters) in accordance with manufacturer specifications and site SOPs; execute daily and weekly preventive maintenance routines, including CST checks, fluidics maintenance, and deep-cleaning protocols to ensure instrument performance and data quality.

Instrument Troubleshooting & Vendor Liaison:

• Serve as the primary emergency contact and first responder for all flow cytometry instrument issues across the Client site; act as the primary liaison with manufacturer customer support teams (Sony, Agilent/ NovoCyte, Guava easyCyte) for service requests, escalations, and repair coordination; apply advanced technical expertise to independently troubleshoot instrument, reagent, and assay-related issues as they arise.

User Training & Onboarding:

• Serve as the principal trainer for all site flow cytometry users; develop and deliver onboarding training for new users across all platforms; provide guidance scaled to users ranging from novice to experienced scientists.

Panel Design & Staining Support:

• Provide on-demand expert guidance on panel design (10+ color), antibody titration, fluorochrome selection, and staining protocols tailored to users’ experimental needs; assist with compensation setup and spectral unmixing for medium- and large-scale multiparameter panels.

Sample Workflow Support:

• Support ex vivo processing and acquisition of mouse, human PB Client, and NHP samples on core instrumentation.

Sample Acquisition Support:

• Run samples on behalf of users as needed and provide hands-on flow staining support to ensure experimental success across the site.

Data Analysis Support:

• Perform or assist with data analysis on an occasional basis, including gating strategy review and FlowJo workflow guidance.

Reagent Inventory & Digital Record-Keeping:

• Maintain a well-organized, adequately stocked inventory of all flow cytometry reagents, including antibodies, viability dyes, buffers, and calibration beads; manage Benchling inventory records, ensuring accurate and up-to-date entries for all staining reagents, lot numbers, and expiration dates; monitor freezer stocks and coordinate timely reagent reordering to prevent stockouts and ensure continuity of research operations.

Cross-functional collaboration:

• Interface with partner teams (e.g. Immunology, Translational Biology, Analytical Development) to coordinate experiments, share data, and provide technical consultation Team Structure – how does this role fit with the teamThe [EG-100] Scientist operates with a high degree of autonomy as the sole owner of site-wide flow cytometry operations.
• This individual is expected to:
• Own all aspects of instrument uptime, performance, and maintenance across six platforms with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Serve as the recognized site expert and primary escalation point for all flow cytometry-related questions and emergencies.
• Proactively identify gaps in reagent inventory, instrument performance, or user capability and address them before they impact research
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal users and external vendor contacts.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of site workflows, training materials, and operational procedures
  This is a high-autonomy, high-accountability role requiring both deep technical expertise and a strong service and operational mindset.

Must-have Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in multiparameter panel design, antibody titration, compensation, and data analysis (FlowJo required)
• Experience operating cell sorters (e.g., Sony SH800S or equivalent)
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry platforms (e.g., NovoCyte Opteon or equivalent)
• Familiarity with at least three of the following instruments:
  • Sony SH800S Cell Sorter
  • NovoCyte Opteon Spectral Flow Cytometer
  • BD FACSymphony A3
  • Client Attune CytPix
  • BD FACSLyric
• Experience performing and documenting preventive maintenance, CST checks, and instrument QC procedures.
• Proficiency in FlowJo and GraphPad Prism for data visualization and analysis.

Nice-to-have Qualifications:

• Experience in a shared core facility or multi-user laboratory environment
• Familiarity with spectral unmixing workflows and instrument interface software (e.g., FACSDiva)
• Experience with GLP-adjacent or IND-enabling study environments
• Experience with ex vivo tissue processing (e.g. blood, spleen, lymph node etc.), whole blood, and human PBClients
• Exposure to primary immune cell biology (T cells, PBClients, NHP samples) to contextualize user support
• Experience coordinating with external vendors and service engineers
• Proficiency in Benchling for inventory management and ELN documentation

Technical & Non-Technical Skills:

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage reagent inventory, instrument scheduling, and user queues concurrently.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to train and support scientists at varying levels of expertise.