Job Title: Automation Associate / Automation Associate II /Senior Automation Associate

Department: Clinical Laboratory Operations

Reports to: Scientist

Job Summary

The Automation Associate will support automation development under the direction of a scientist. The Automation Associate will prepare human specimens, conduct laboratory experiments within guidelines, troubleshoot automated protocols, and operate and maintain complex scientific equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in development/validation/transfer improved and new high-throughput automated protocols to CLIA laboratory
• Support designing of automation processes on liquid handler
• Prepare technical reports, summaries and detailed protocols
• Design and perform experiments to optimize automation processes, collect data, and analyze results
• Ability to execute experiments with limited guidance and supervision
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for automated protocols
• Train and mentor research assistants and/or research associates on automated standard operating procedures
• Perform other related duties, as assigned

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment
• Experience operating automated liquid handlers
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and adjust Hamilton VENUS software (preferred)
• Ability to communicate and multi-task within a fast-paced team environment with a high degree of self-motivation and organization
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology or a related life science fields
• Automation Associate- Minimum of 0-3 years of life science research/clinical experience in industry setting
• Automation Associate II- Minimum of 3-5 years of life science research/clinical experience in industry setting
• Senior Automation Associate- Minimum of 5+ years of life science research/clinical experience in industry setting
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques required, specifically NGS and PCR workflows
• Experience programming and designing processes on Hamilton automated liquid handlers (preferred)
• Experience with development of LIMS (preferred)

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical/mental demands are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual would encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Clarity of vision and ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Must be able to perform repetitive movements (pipetting)
• Must be able to work in BSL2+ lab setting with exposure to biohazards and chemicals
• Moderate exposure to unusual elements including: extreme temperatures, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises
• Exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and includes the use of PPE
• Moderate noise level
• Precautions are to be taken per the Company’s Safety and Injury, Illness and Prevention Plans