Research Specialist - Next Generation Sequencing

Position Title: Research Specialist – Next Generation Sequencing

Location: Upper Providence, PA

Job Summary:

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to provide critical lab research support at a customer site in Upper Providence, PA. Depending on experience level, he/she may be involved in running specific assays as well as performing cell culture activities and/or molecular biology protocols. He or she should have a solid background in Biology and/or Chemistry as well as great attention to detail, outstanding organizational skills, the ability to cross-train and, be able to work independently.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality NGS sequencing support to a large number of R&D projects.

• Work in a team atmosphere and coordinate a process for NGS. This includes attending project planning meetings, handling Human and Animal Biological Samples, extracting DNA/RNA and conducting NGS using a variety of sequencers.

• Process troubleshooting throughout the entire NGS workflow (nucleic acid isolation, library preparation, sequencing and analysis)

• Conduct necessary QA/QC experiments. Including, but not limited to, Agilent Bioanalyzer, Qubit Fluorospectrometer, qPCR

• Participate in data management, analysis and tracking.

• Continue technological improvements to increase productivity and cost-efficiency

• Data reporting, management, and interactions as appropriate with the teams.

• Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation and robotics, including liquid sample handling platforms.

• Develop expertise with DNA Sequencing LIMS and analysis software (Sequencher, DNA Star, BLAST etc.).

• Develop organizational skills, presentation skills and attention to detail

• Interact with senior staff members as necessary

• Teamwork is critical.

• Ensure compliance with all R&D data integrity practices, ethics codes, standards and training, and safety training and practice.

Education/Experience/Qualifications

Basic Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree

• 2 years of experience in sequencing based molecular approaches

• Technical aptitude and background with NGS technologies

Preferred Qualification:

•  Experience in single-cell sequencing and Nanostring profiling is a plus.

• Hands-on experience with library preparation techniques for different sequencing technologies.

• Technical insight and have hands-on experience with PCR techniques and DNA/RNA isolation methods.

• Ability to operate an array of sequencing and robotics platforms, i.e. Illumina, 10X Genomics, Nanostring, Tecan etc.

Physical Demands:

The overall physical exertion of this position requires:

• Sit or stand 2-3 hours in laboratory areas.

• Walk 2-3 hours within a facility.

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

• Lift up to 25 lbs.

• Office work activities, including keyboard, with fingers/hands/arms up to 4 hours.

• Work around moving laboratory equipment and machinery.

• Use of personal protective equipment in the laboratory.

• Work with biohazards such as blood borne pathogens.

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.

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

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

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