Oncology Assay Scientist

When joining PerkinElmer, you select an experienced and trusted leader in scientific solutions, with the support of a global service network and distribution centers, providing the right solution, at the right time, to meet critical customer needs.  With over an 80+ year legacy of advancing science and a mission of innovating for a healthier world, our dedicated team collaborates closely with commercial, government, academic and healthcare customers to deliver our broad portfolio of analytical solutions, and OneSource services.

Job Title

Oncology Assay Scientist

Location(s)

GSK Stevenage (UK) – Customer Site

Job Summary

We are looking for highly motivated candidate for the role of Assay Scientist to build their career and support the PerkinElmer OneSource Scientific Services at one of our customer sites in Stevenage.

The successful candidate will be working within the PerkinElmer Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapies team, who will be responsible for supplying cell culture and assay support services. The customer department is in the Oncology sector of R&D which is at the forefront of developing innovative and life-changing medicines for patients.

The role will provide an opportunity to develop skills associated with assay support and cell culture as well as the opportunity to collaborate with numerous biological groups across the site and service lines to improve the TLS Analytical Section operations.

The candidate will work within a collaborative team environment across diverse biotherapeutic portfolio within the company and have the opportunity to develop in PerkinElmer’s scientific arena.

This role will report into the PerkinElmer ETCT Team Leader and will work within GSK biological groups within the Stevenage Campus.

Job Responsibilities

Operational Duties

• Maintain cell cultures and perform cell culture duties as directed.

• Perform sample preparation, staining, data acquisition, and analysis using flow cytometry

• Perform biological assays in microtitre plates using accurate pipetting

• Analysis of data using corporate tools; application of QC rules to show acceptability.

• Publish and report experimental data in electronic notebooks

• Be an active member of the scientific teams – contribute at team meetings by presenting data and looking for opportunities for innovation.

• Undertake ordering of compounds and reagents and track reagent use

• Suggest improvements of current assay platforms

• Track assay performance metrics & communicate issues.

• Comply to Health and Safety procedures for own well-being and quality of product.

• Actively seek opportunities to develop the service by discussion with customer or by the sharing of best practice with other groups.

• Assist with the preparation of SOPs, Risk Assessments and best practice guides.

• Act as an ambassador for TLS and promote PerkinElmer’s core values.

• Operate to approved quality standards.

• Work independently and flexibly depending on team priorities and set realistic work schedules to support requirements.

• Perform any other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager or project team leader.

Preferred Education/Experience/Qualifications

• BSc or equivalent in relevant scientific subject (e.g. biology, biotechnology or Biomedical Sciences), with relevant laboratory experience.

• 1 year of demonstrated technical expertise/or equivalent in cell culture, general lab instrumentation, cell-based assays such as proliferation, immunoassays such as ELISA.

• Experience with basic Flow Cytometry, including analysis of data.

• Experience with any of the following is preferable, but not essential: CellTiter Glo, Caspase Glo, Incucyte, western blot, isolation and culture of primary cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells, MSD assays

• Demonstrable knowledge of cell culture, cell lines and aseptic technique.

• Understanding of standard software packages (i.e.: Microsoft Office)

• Highly motivated and independent, yet able to work well in a group setting.

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality, consistent results in a timely fashion.

• Ability to meet timelines successfully with the utmost attention to detail while setting high performance standards.

• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex scientific data.

• Ability to execute new and established methods and protocols.

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

Physical Demands 

The overall physical exertion of this position requires:

• Sit or stand 4-5 hours in laboratory areas.

• Work around moving laboratory equipment and machinery.

• Work with biohazards such as blood borne pathogens.

• Hepatitis B vaccination will be required, Vaccination programme in place for successful candidates who are not already vaccinated or require updated boosters.

• All work is carried out in a containment level 2 environment.

• Appropriate PPE must always be worn (Lab coat, gloves, eye protection).

• Reach above/below the shoulder, bend at the knees and waist.

• Office work activities, including keyboard, up to 2-3 hours.

Working Environment

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment.

• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.

• Employee maybe required to manage hazardous wastes in compliance with company procedures & State/Federal/Local hazardous waste regulations. Duties may include: Identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing, labelling.

• Ensure safety, security, and the environment in all aspect of the daily activities, and any potential safety hazards are addressed and corrected immediately.

• Understand ergonomic relationship between people, equipment and working environment.