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Principal Scientist, Genomics Assay Development
Full Time
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Job description
Scismic is supporting the growth of an early-stage, venture-backed biotechnology company that is revolutionizing the approach to genomics and genetic engineering for biological automation.
We are seeking a scientist who enjoys solving problems creatively in genomics and synthetic biology application development.
We are seeking a scientist who enjoys solving problems creatively in genomics and synthetic biology application development.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Our company is at an exciting inflection point as we transition our early access instrument to a commercial-ready product. We are scaling up to build and deliver a product that will change the way people think about automation in the bio-lab and are looking for people who are excited to be part of that foundational team. You'll play a critical role in the development of that product–a complex software-hardware-biology system where systems-thinking and the ability to evaluate a problem from multiple perspectives is a must.
THE TEAM
You’ll join a team where everyone—including you—is not afraid to go into unexplored territories across many fields to develop our automation system. We are an incredibly supportive team–we love to pitch in when problems arise and give great peer feedback to help each other grow. We are passionate about lots of things–automation, computation, genetic engineering, DNA sequencing, robotics, fabrication, industrial design, great user experience for customers–and we love sharing those passions with each other. You'll be a key driver of these values in our Cambridge office and play a big role in helping grow the team.
Job Responsibilities
- Leads, manages and mentors a team of Scientists and Sr. Scientists in the design, planning and execution of projects spanning from R&D to commercial product deployment. Performs hand-on research activities at the bench.
- Generates technical requirements for next generation sequencing workflows and new instrument development. Validates workflows and application performance on novel digital fluidic platform.
- Independently define and plan project goals, and achieve them with the help of the team. Make recommendations, and when appropriate, act independently to resolve scientific problems encountered during experimental procedures.
- Ensures activities are consistent with project critical path, and respond appropriately to changing priorities.
- Guides team members to the planning, prioritization, execution and analysis of experiments, and helps them analyze and interpret results, generate reports and troubleshoot problems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve difficult problems in creative ways. Take a new perspective on existing solutions, exploring and implementing new concepts and methodologies.
- Integrates previous and current results to determine next experimental steps and the impact on long-term project goals.
- Serve as a resource and a technical expert to the highly diverse and multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
- Invent and create novel IP, and help leadership manage the portfolio
Your Qualifications
- PhD in cellular and/or molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry or a related discipline.
- Typically 3+ years of relevant experience in an assay development environment. 6+ years preferred.
- Hands-on experience in next-generation sequencing e.g. Illumina, Oxford Nanopore or PacBio platforms with various sample types, including purified DNA, microbial, fresh and FFPE tissue material, blood, etc.
- If your work is not in NGS but in a related peripheral field please apply. Examples include synthetic biology, cell and gene therapy, protein sequencing or general experience in biochemistry optimization. Deep expertise in at least one domain is required.
- Experience with new instrument and platform development.
- Knowledge and experience in experimental design and in verification / validation of experimental design, statistical data analysis and interpretation.
- Experience in team management and mentoring.
- Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced team environment with rapidly changing priorities: pro-active team player who thinks ahead, plans, and suggests solutions.
- You are a continuous learner who embraces a growth mindset.
Nice to Have
- Experience translating manual workflows into automated methods on microfluidics or other droplet based technologies and deploying them commercially.
- You have a successful track record working with cross-functional development teams.
- Familiarity with laboratory automation system and enthusiasm for working on evolving prototypes.