Genomics Sr Staff Scientist

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

12d

About The Position

As a member of the Clinical Laboratory team at Stanford Health Care, the Genomic Senior Staff Scientist collaborates with laboratory directors, genetic counselors, laboratory technologists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians to provide clinical genetic and genomic test results. The role prioritizes and interprets variants from clinical sequencing data, evaluating their clinical relevance using applicable internal and external guidelines and evidence from scientific literature. The scientist also drafts clinical reports, supports quality and process improvement, helps develop and evaluate clinical-grade molecular diagnostic tests, implements evolving variant interpretation standards and workflows, and assists with onboarding team members. The position performs clinical analysis and reporting while meeting laboratory turnaround times and assigned production targets. It contributes to test development and validation, analysis-system and workflow improvements, verification and quality projects, audit preparation, and training resources. The role also supports CAP/CLIA compliance and promotes productivity enhancements, including efforts to reduce turnaround times or costs.

Requirements

PhD or MS in Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a related discipline or field from an accredited college or university.
At least four years of work experience in genetics or cancer genetics, or a combination of relevant experiences.
At least one year of work experience in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory performing diagnostic testing.
At least one year of experience with NGS-based tests.
At least one year of experience in germline or cancer diagnostic testing.
Experience in next-generation sequencing and variant classification or curation.
Ability to understand scientific literature and experimental procedures, including the limitations and clinical applications of the information.
Experience critically evaluating genetic data, research publications, and online resources.
Experience with databases, tools, and resources commonly used in human or model-organism genetics and genomics, such as ClinVar/ClinGen, gnomAD, ExAC, HGMD, and COSMIC.
Experience working on multidisciplinary, team-based projects.
Ability to propose or identify and lead implementation of significant productivity enhancements, particularly changes that decrease turnaround times and/or costs.
Change-management capability.
Detail orientation and strong analytical skills.
Computer skills, including word-processing and spreadsheet applications.
Strong written and oral English communication skills.
Experience interpreting variants in a clinical genetic testing laboratory.
Ability to work independently and on team-based projects.
Ability to perform day-to-day operations independently with little assistance from team members or laboratory directors.
Ability to participate in clinical validation of new or updated tests with minimal supervision and prepare validation and SOP documentation drafts requiring minimal corrections.

Nice To Haves

Ability to independently design and complete clinical validations and oversee development and drafting of validation and SOP documentation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability.
Clear understanding of CAP requirements.

Responsibilities

Identify clinically significant germline and/or somatic sequence variants using established tools and workflows.
Collect genetic, clinical, and molecular information from peer-reviewed journals and public data sources.
Critically analyze and verify published data and abstract information relevant to individual clinical cases.
Review patient medical records and abstract information relevant to individual clinical case analyses.
Independently classify clinically significant germline and/or somatic sequence variants.
Summarize analysis results and communicate them effectively in written and verbal formats.
Meet clinical laboratory interpretation turnaround times and complete assigned volumes within target turnaround times.
Identify or volunteer to address production pressure points and take on projects to improve workplace productivity.
Participate in development of new clinical-grade genetic tests and enhancements to existing assays.
Assist with clinical validation of new tests and workflow updates.
Assist in developing or integrating analysis systems, software tools, and workflows for new and existing laboratory tests.
Identify and report errors or inconsistencies in analysis tools or online resources.
Participate in software system verification and other quality improvement projects.
Draft verification and SOP documentation and provide suggestions for improving existing test SOPs.
Lead implementation of productivity enhancements.
Curate genes for new germline Mendelian and/or somatic oncology test development.
Contribute to audit preparations, including documentation and quality monitoring, to meet CAP/CLIA requirements.
Create reference or training resource materials.
Adhere to C-I-CARE standards in interactions with team members and external collaborators.
Collaborate to resolve misunderstandings and issues early before they affect timelines, team spirit, or morale.
Perform day-to-day operations independently with little assistance from team members or laboratory directors.
Participate in clinical validation of new or updated tests with minimal supervision and prepare validation and SOP documentation drafts requiring minimal corrections.