Laboratory Specialist

Position Overview

Lab Support Automation Specialist
Location: San Diego, CA
Schedule: 6 month minimum contract

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 expertise to meet customized lab specifications. The Automation Specialist will conduct critical experiments to advance laboratory operations, utilizing existing lab processes and facilities to ensure the seamless delivery of high-quality results within established timelines. Ability to operate automated systems and associated instrumentation and execute cell-based and biochemical assays (luminescence, fluorescence, AlphaScreen, imaging, etc.) is required.

Key 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-practice and mitigate avoidable run failures, ensuring optimal routine operation.
• Assist with the programming of the automated platform for assay protocol development.
• "First-responder" for troubleshooting and error recovery.
• Maintain cell lines and primary cell cultures.
• Exhibit flexibility to accommodate 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 and systems knowledge to minimize instrument downtime.
• Maintain training and compliance in areas of health and safety, security, environmental, and operational aspects of daily activities.

Required Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems independently.
• Ability to read and interpret chemical labeling and hazardous signage.
• MS Office Skills: Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• 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 a Life Sciences or Engineering related subject.
• Experience with Biomek iSeries, Combi, BlueWasher, Cytomat, Precise, Staubli, WDII, PlateLoc, Xpeel, Cytation, Pherastar, Vspin, or Echo is preferred.
• 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 with scripting and other advanced programming languages a plus.