Responsibilities

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for the role of Automation Specialist. In this role, the successful candidate will work on-site at clients' locations to provide support, responsiveness, and knowledge tailored to the customized specifications of the clients' users. The Automation Specialist will conduct crucial experiments to advance laboratory operations, utilizing the clients' existing lab processes and facilities to ensure the seamless delivery of high-quality results within established timelines. The ability to operate automated systems and associated instrumentation, and execute cell-based and biochemical assays (luminescence, fluorescence, AlphaScreen, imaging, etc.) is required.

Job Responsibilities

• Leverage integrated assay automation platform to execute medium-high-throughput cell-based screens and assays in collaboration with therapeutic area and functional area scientists.
• ·Train equipment users on key concepts associated with the platforms to support best practices and mitigate avoidable run failures, ensuring optimal routine operation.
• Assist with programming the automated platform for assay protocol development.
• Act as the 'first-responder' for troubleshooting and error recovery.
• Maintain cell lines and primary cell cultures.
• Demonstrate flexibility in accommodating rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.
• Manage laboratory inventories.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and guidelines.
• Support equipment maintenance and establish strong relationships with OEM Service Organizations.
• Interact with other engineers to leverage platform/systems knowledge to minimize instrument downtime.
• Maintain training and compliance in areas of health and safety, security, environmental, and operational aspects of daily activities in the working environment.

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

Critical Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of automation equipment and cell culture.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, especially adherence to laboratory notebook practices.
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to multitask.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Independent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to read and interpret chemical labeling and hazardous signage.
• Proficiency in MS Office: Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related discipline with 2 years of experience in laboratory automation and/or lab instrumentation support OR
• Associate degree with 5+ years of experience in laboratory automation and/or lab instrumentation support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Life Sciences or Engineering related subject.
• Experience with equipment such as Tecan Fluent, Combi, BlueWasher, Cytomat, Liconic, WDII, PlateLoc, Xpeel, Cytation, Pherastar, Vspin, Echo.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team-based environment.
• Proficient in cellular and biochemical assay techniques.
• Experience with immortalized and/or primary cell culture.
• Knowledge of device networking and communications protocols.
• Experience of scripting and other advanced programming languages is a plus.

Working Environment

• Must be able to work in laboratory controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.).
• 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.
• Must be able to move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite.
• Frequently operate instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching, and reaching to perform in a service function.
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required include the ability to observe details at close range, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• May be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Potential risk to lab-based hazards including 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 laboratory hazards.

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $58,240.00 to $87,360.00. 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.