Scientist II

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The individual will work with R&D on product development, and analytical validation workflows.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Will apply technical knowledge to develop design verification and validation test methods. kits/reagents/instruments/workflows for nucleic acid purification from plasma, cell culture media and FFPE samples.
• Using automated technology to extract Nucleic acids from diverse sample types.
• Modify experimental procedures to suit the particular needs of experiments.
• Develop a hypothesis and then design the necessary set of experiments to test the hypothesis with limited guidance.
• Analyze the data derived and explain the outcome of their experiments.
• Maintain accurate and detailed lab notebooks and appropriate documentation based on the scientific method enabling other scientists to reproduce their experiments.
• Prepares regular reports documenting experiments.
• Presents research data and conclusions in 10-30 minute sessions.
• Ability to read a scientific paper, reproduce the experiments described and understand the conclusions.
• Complete lab compliance activities.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Biological Science, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering or related field.
• At least 3-5 years laboratory experience in either academic or industry setting.
• Industrial experience in Next Generation Sequencing environment a plus.
• Regulated background experience a plus.
• Experience with statistically-based plan development, power, test method development, data-driven decision-making, statistical analysis (JMP), DOE, and design-focused six sigma experience.
• Experience in an IVD development environment.
• Experience writing and implementing quality focused procedures.
• Experience working with BSL2 sample types in BSL2 lab setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Mammalian cell culture experience is a plus.
• Technical expertise in molecular biology and standard analytical QC assays.
• Specifically, automated and manual nucleic acid isolation techniques, qPCR, dPCR, and NGS using Applied Biosystems and Client instrumentation: Kingfisher Magnetic Particle Handlers, Quant studios, Ion Torrent, Nanodrop, Qubit, etc.
• Good writing & presentation skills.
• Works well in a team setting, flexible, highly collaborative, ready to learn, and always willing to help others
• Capable of multi-tasking and ensure timely completion and execution of tasks.
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, proactive, organized, diligent, and flexible.
• Shows initiative by taking on new tasks, beyond what is generally expected.
• Generates ideas to improve current processes.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Strong laboratory and technical hands on skills required:

• Pipet and perform procedures reproducibly.
• Perform a dilution series to create a standard curve.
• Perform lab calculations needed to make solutions from powder or from stock.
• Operate basic lab equipment such as computers, centrifuges, quantitation instruments, Agilent Bioanalyzer, PCR, real-time qPCR instruments, plate readers etc.
• Routine experience with most common molecular procedures such as nucleic acid isolation, endpoint PCR, real-time PCR.