Scientific Specialist

This position will support drug discovery at a client site in a Cambridge, MA facility with a focus on executing medium- to high-throughput cell-based screens and assays using integrated automation platforms. This includes high-throughput liquid handlers and multi-instrument systems run with scheduling software. The successful candidate will develop, optimize, and program automated workflows, serve as the first responder for automation troubleshooting and error recovery. They will train automation users on best practices to ensure reliable routine operation. In addition, the candidate will maintain, expand, and characterize cell lines and primary cell cultures to provide consistent, assay-ready material for screening campaigns.

The candidate will provide hands-on support for screening campaigns and assay transfer, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting, evaluating assay performance, robustness, and reproducibility. They will work closely with therapeutic area and functional area scientists, manage laboratory inventories, handle biohazardous materials, and conduct all work in compliance with established protocols and laboratory safety requirements, while adapting to rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.

This is a full time on-site position in Cambridge, MA.

Job Responsibilities

• Execute and support medium- to high-throughput cell-based screens and assays using integrated automation platforms including high throughput liquid handlers and multi-instrument integration using scheduling software, in close collaboration with therapeutic area and functional area scientists.
• Train automation users on key concepts associated with the platforms to support best-practice and mitigate avoidable run failures, ensuring optimal routine operation. 
• Develop, optimize, and program automated workflows for assay development, plate preparation, liquid handling, reagent addition, incubation, and endpoint readouts.
• 'First-responder' for automation troubleshooting and error recovery. 
• Maintain, expand, characterize, and prepare cell lines and primary cell cultures to ensure consistent, assay-ready material for screening campaigns.
• Provide hands-on support for screening campaigns, including plate handling, sample processing, assay execution
• Support assay transfer, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting, including evaluation of assay performance, controls, robustness, and reproducibility.
• Flexibility to accommodate to rapidly changing priorities and deadlines. 
• Manage laboratory inventories and handle biohazardous materials according to safety protocols. 
• Comply with laboratory safety procedures and guidelines

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

Critical Skills:

• Strong knowledge and wet lab experience high-throughput cell-based screens and assays using integrated automation platforms including high throughput liquid handlers and multi-instrument integration using scheduling software.

Basic Qualifications:

• B.Sc. with  2+ years of industry or research experience in Genomics, Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biological engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related life sciences discipline OR
• M.Sc. with 1+ years of industry or pharma research in Genomics, Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biological engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related life sciences discipline

• Strong knowledge of Genomics and cell biology

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong hands-on experience in performing and analyzing complex cell-based assays in Genomics
• Ability to interpret and analyze data from key biological, biochemical, and immunological assays systems and design appropriate follow up experiments 

• Experience with primary stromal cell cultures and developing in vitro models of fibrosis
• Knowledgeable in immuno-fluorescence microscopy / high-content imaging and multi-color flow cytometry preferred
• Experience using MesoScale Discovery, Luminex, ELISA, or related analytical platforms
• Knowledge of inflammatory and/or auto-immunity related mechanisms of disease
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities 

• Passion for innovation and problem-solving 

• Team player with effective written and oral communication skills 

• Good organizational and time management skills 

Working Environment:

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory. 
• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high. 
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time 
• The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.   
• Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds). 
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.   
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. 
• Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations.  Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste. 
• Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $75,000 to $90,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.