Assay Development Scientist
About The Position
TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers strategic talent solutions to clients worldwide. The job opportunity below is with one of our clients specializing in biotechnology product development services. The client is dedicated to supplying laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies, and services essential in healthcare, scientific research, safety, and education. As a global leader in serving the scientific community, the organization generates approximately $40 billion in annual revenue and is committed to making the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Their global team delivers innovative technologies, convenient procurement solutions, and pharmaceutical services through industry-leading brands. Seeking an R&D Scientist to support product development and analytical validation activities focused on nucleic acid purification. The role will develop and evaluate design verification and validation test methods, kits, reagents, instruments, and workflows for nucleic acid purification from diverse sample types, including plasma, cell culture media, and FFPE samples. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on molecular biology experience, expertise in nucleic acid isolation and PCR-based techniques, experience with automated laboratory technologies, and the ability to independently design experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot procedures, and communicate scientific findings. This is a 100% onsite position with Teams-based interviews.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
- 3–5 years of laboratory experience in an academic or industry environment.
- Strong hands-on laboratory and molecular biology skills.
- Hands-on experience with nucleic acid isolation and purification techniques.
- Experience with endpoint PCR and real-time qPCR.
- Experience developing, optimizing, and evaluating analytical or QC assays.
- Experience operating common laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, quantitation instruments, Bioanalyzer, PCR/qPCR instruments, and plate readers.
- Experience with automated and manual nucleic acid isolation techniques.
- Familiarity with qPCR, dPCR, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.
- Experience with Applied Biosystems and/or Thermo Fisher instrumentation such as KingFisher Magnetic Particle Handlers, QuantStudio systems, Ion Torrent platforms, NanoDrop, and Qubit.
- Ability to perform accurate pipetting, dilution series, standard curve preparation, and laboratory calculations.
- Experience with experimental design, hypothesis development, statistical analysis, and data interpretation.
- Strong technical writing, documentation, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Strong teamwork, communication, organization, and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and complete projects within established timelines.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, proactive, flexible, and willing to take on new responsibilities.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with JMP, Design of Experiments (DOE), and design-focused Six Sigma methodologies is preferred.
- Experience in an IVD product development environment is preferred.
- Experience developing and implementing quality-focused procedures.
- Experience working with BSL-2 sample types in a BSL-2 laboratory environment.
- Mammalian cell culture experience is a plus.
- Next-generation sequencing industry experience is a plus.
- Experience in regulated laboratory environments is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Support R&D product development and analytical validation workflows for nucleic acid purification products, kits, reagents, instruments, and workflows.
- Develop design verification and validation test methods for nucleic acid purification from plasma, cell culture media, FFPE, and other sample types.
- Perform manual and automated nucleic acid extraction using appropriate laboratory technologies.
- Modify and optimize experimental procedures based on specific experimental requirements.
- Develop scientific hypotheses and independently design experiments to test them with limited guidance.
- Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and clearly explain scientific conclusions.
- Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and scientific documentation to ensure experiments are reproducible.
- Prepare regular technical reports documenting experimental procedures, results, and conclusions.
- Present research findings and conclusions in technical presentations.
- Review scientific literature, reproduce published experimental procedures when appropriate, and evaluate scientific conclusions.
- Perform routine molecular biology and analytical QC procedures, including nucleic acid isolation, endpoint PCR, and real-time PCR.
- Operate laboratory equipment including centrifuges, quantitation instruments, Bioanalyzer, PCR and real-time qPCR instruments, and plate readers.
- Complete required laboratory compliance and quality activities.
- Support statistically based experimental planning, test method development, data analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
- Collaborate effectively with R&D and cross-functional teams to meet project timelines and deliverables.
- Identify opportunities to improve existing processes, methods, and workflows.
- Manage multiple projects and laboratory activities while maintaining accuracy, organization, and timely execution.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
