Staff Scientist

POSITION SUMMARY:   

We are looking for an inquisitive and creative  Staff Scientist to initiate, direct and execute pre-product scientific research. Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products and problem solving. The ideal candidate will have a broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories, with hands-on experience in next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing, nucleic acid technologies, multimomics, and/or protein screening.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contributes substantially and intellectually to research and development

• Independently leads projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, and optimization

• Responsible for executing projects as per associated timelines and deliverables

• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work

• Develops plans, generates and advances new ideas

• Performs basic data analysis, including statistics

• Independently designs and executes moderate to high complexity experiments

• Coordinates the execution and analysis of effective experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams

• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System

• May manage Research Associates

• May work with partners and outside collaborators

• Communicates progress directly with colleagues and senior management

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology or closely related field

• Minimum of 8 years of industry experience or 2 years of post-doctoral research + 6 years of industry experience 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must have experience with designing, executing, and analyzing data on next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA/RNA molecular biology experiments 

• Experience developing tests in NIPT and/or liquid biopsy highly desirable

• Experience with nucleic acid technologies relating to PCR, multiplex PCR, qPCR, and digital droplet PCR.

• Multiomics, epigenetic/methylation, target enrichment, cfDNA/RNA experience is a plus.

• Track record of originating, developing and productizing novel nucleic acid techniques and tests.

• Strong research skills with a history of innovation.

• Proven success in managing collaborative and individual projects and communicating externally.

• Must have excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, time management, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated experience in managing and providing basic level of leadership to research associates and junior scientists.

• Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis.

• Adept with Excel and basic statistical analysis.

• Bioinformatic capabilities, programming (e.g. PERL, python) and databases experience (SQL) are a plus.

• Skilled at writing clear plans, reports and SOPs.