Lab Automation Analyst

Zifo•Collegeville, PA

15h•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Zifo Lab Automation Analyst provides technical laboratory automation services, including multivendor instrument, information technology, and validation/compliance services when applicable. The analyst works with Zifo’s Lab Automation team to implement customer needs and address gaps by proposing solutions for the desired automated state, collaborating with customer business users and managers as well as internal Zifo support teams. The position supports customer laboratory environments and common automation equipment, including stand-alone liquid handlers, plate readers, plate washers and dispensers, and fully integrated robotic systems. The analyst installs, operates, maintains, quality-controls, troubleshoots, and develops methods or scripts for instruments, and trains users. The role also configures in-lab automation software, performs unit test scripts to validate remotely programmed software, builds and operates debugging scripts, and performs simple parallel development in production environments. The analyst modifies existing systems, instruments, methods, and software to meet evolving needs; collaborates with discovery, engineering, and expression groups to improve research efficiency through automation and novel technologies; supports client policy adherence through reporting and compliance programs; documents procedures and best practices; and performs preventative maintenance according to the client’s schedule when applicable. Regular presence is required at the client site in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, or Spring House, Pennsylvania. Relocation assistance is not available.

Requirements

Knowledge of laboratory safety practices defined by the company and/or customer site safety code.
Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and scripting for liquid handlers, dispensers, plate washers, plate readers, Octet, or similar equipment.
Programming experience using Python, Java, C#, or VB.NET.
Experience scheduling, operating, training users on, and troubleshooting fully integrated robotic systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with automation engineers and non-automation scientists.
Excellent organizational skills, clear record-keeping and data analysis aptitude, and ability to prioritize across multiple projects.
Excellent customer service skills and ability to listen to and interpret client requests.
Ability to troubleshoot complex instrument and technology issues.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to identify, track, and complete tasks for multiple projects.
Independent, self-motivated, results-driven approach.
Willingness and ability to quickly acquire new technical skills and business principles.
Critical thinking and logical reasoning ability.
Bachelor of Science in computer science, life science, or equivalent industry experience.
At least 2 years of relevant technical experience, including experience at a biotech or pharmaceutical company or an automation provider.

Nice To Haves

Expertise with Hi-Res BioSolutions’ Cellario or Biosero’s Green Button Go scheduling software.
Experience with Titian Mosaic.
Good understanding of pharmaceutical research, drug discovery and development processes, and biologics workflows.
Experience with scientific instrumentation.

Responsibilities

Provide technical support for customer laboratory environments.
Maintain common automation equipment in good working order, including liquid handlers, plate readers, plate washers and dispensers, and integrated robotic systems.
Install, operate, maintain, quality-control, and troubleshoot instruments; create methods and scripts; and train users.
Configure in-lab automation software, such as Cellario or Green Button Go, as needed to train robotic equipment.
Perform unit test scripts for in-lab automation equipment to validate remotely programmed software.
Build and operate debugging scripts and perform simple parallel development in production environments.
Modify existing systems, instruments, methods, and software to meet evolving needs.
Collaborate with discovery, engineering, and expression groups at local sites to improve research efficiency through automation process improvements and novel technologies.
Support adherence to client corporate policies through periodic reporting and compliance programs.
Document procedures, policies, troubleshooting information, and best practices.
Perform system preventative maintenance according to the client’s schedule, when applicable.