Position Objective

This scientist will be:

• Working at the forefront of protein and cell analysis, developing reagents, tools, analytics and workflows to analyze the cellular transcriptome, particularly at the level of the “single cell”.
• Providing technical insight to an extended team with respect to current directions in this field.
• Developing reagents aimed at enabling the understanding the single cell transcriptome using advanced sequencing and/or imaging techniques.
• Driving technical innovation in these areas.
• Participating as a team member in product development programs from conception (ideation), through development (innovation) and launch (commercialization).
• Supporting “voice of customer” and lead “beta-testing” programs.
• Generating application data that demonstrates the utility and performance of these products in workflows associated with oncology and immunology research.
• Working independently and as part of a team of scientists that will collaborate with a cross-functional team to achieve these goals.

Scope of Need

The successful individual will:

• Understand, troubleshoot and optimize single cell preparations that support molecular analysis, input to NGS library preparation and sequencing and protein analysis.
• Directly interact with senior R&D leadership, product management and project management to develop and execute project plans that support product development initiatives aimed at analyzing the transcriptome at the “single cell” level.
• Deliver on goals according to a planned set of milestones, deliverables and timelines.
• Create intellectual property.
• Provide a significant level of independence and strong teamwork.

This role may involve any of the following tasks:

• Cell biology: Culture of immortalized, primary and engineered cell types
• Sample preparation: Optimizing isolation, fixation and permeabilization of single cells
• Cell analysis: Use of PCR, gene expression, sequencing, imaging and flow cytometry
• Sequencing: Use of Next Generation Sequencing techniques

• Biochemistry: Application of chemistry to identify bio-molecules within cells
• Periodic weekend work: “As needed” based on schedule and lab density requirements

Education:

Prefer a PhD degree in cell biology, molecular and cell biology, immunology, oncology or related field.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree (5+ years experience) or a master’s degree (3+ years experience) may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Perform standard laboratory math calculations and solutions/media preparation
• Ability to culture wide variety of cell types including immortalized, primary and engineered
• Ability to optimize cell isolation, preparation, fixation and permeabilization for molecular analysis
• Use of single cell analysis techniques, especially single cell RNAseq and flow cytometry
• Use of Next Generation Sequencing acquisition and analysis
• Use or understanding of bio-informatics for large data set analyses
• Observe deviations from the expected outcomes
• Succeed with a moderate level of supervision and guidance
• Work within a strong team with demonstrable influence/interpersonal skills
• Experience in a biotechnology commercial environment would be a differentiator

Experience:

• Required: 3-5 years experience in cell biology
• Required: 2+ years experience in oncology or immunology
• Required: 2+ years experience with single cell analysis techniques (esp. sequencing)
• Preferred: 1-2 years experience in molecular biology
• Preferred: Use of bio-informatics analysis applied to sequencing or cellular analysis
• Preferred: 1+ years experience with automation or high-throughput applications

Working Conditions:

• Majority of working time will be spent manipulating cells in order to study DNA, RNA or protein in a laboratory environment.
• Significant work may take place in biosafety hoods in a tissue culture laboratory, working with various cell cultures.
• Cells will be isolated and optimized for analysis by molecular biology, sequencing techniques or protein assays.
• Recording laboratory activities appropriately in notebooks.
• Must be capable of observing and adhering to lab safety standards and protocols.
• Must be able to identify deviations from expected outcomes and participate in trouble-shooting those deviations and suggesting alternatives.
• Critical to success in this position will be the individual’s ability to work independently and to work as part of a high-performing team.
• Must be able to work as part of a team in the laboratory (extended R&D team) and as part of a broader cross-functional team (R&D, Project Management, Product Management, Quality, Operations, Marketing, Commercial).
• Occasional weekend work may be required to maintain current social distancing guidelines and project schedules.