Laboratory Automation Scientist

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Spring House, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Automation Scientist is the practical bridge between scientists and the automated workcell. The role translates assay steps, sample formats, reagent needs, instrument sequences, timing constraints, and data outputs into executable automated methods and worklists. The Scientist will design, configure, troubleshoot, and improve automated laboratory workflows that convert manual discovery and analytical methods into robust, reproducible, data-rich automated processes. They will own method behavior, worklist logic, sample/consumable state, user instructions, scientific readiness, and data context for assigned workflows. This role complements the Experienced Automation and Robotics Engineer. The scientist owns scientific workflow translation and method execution logic; the engineer owns physical feasibility, robot motion, controls handshakes, safety behavior, serviceability, and machine-side troubleshooting.

Requirements

A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Analytical Sciences, Laboratory Automation, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field is required.
An advanced degree is acceptable with relevant automation experience.
Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years, Master’s degree with 2+ years, or a PhD with 1+ years of relevant laboratory automation, assay automation, analytical automation, or scientific workflow experience.
Demonstrated understanding of laboratory workflows, sample handling, plate/tube formats, assay execution, consumable preparation, run documentation, and data capture.
Hands-on or practical experience with automated liquid handlers or integrated laboratory automation equipment appropriate to the level of the role.
Ability to translate scientific workflows into executable automated methods, worklists, run states, exception pathways, and user-facing procedures.
Working knowledge of sample identity, labware identity, reagent identity, consumable state, barcode traceability, metadata capture, and downstream data requirements.
Ability to collaborate with scientists, automation engineers, IT, data science, AI, EHS, facilities, vendors, and laboratory operations.
Experience configuring, operating, troubleshooting, or improving automated laboratory systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Biosero Green Button Go, Cellario, Momentum, Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman, HighRes, Thermo Fisher, Azenta, Agilent, Waters, Python, SQL, APIs, ELN, LIMS, GDB, data lakes, request tracking, or automated sample storage.
Experience with assay development, high-throughput screening, cell culture analytics, protein analytics, NGS library prep, SPR/BLI, SEC-MALS, ELISA, or cell-based assays.
Experience with method scripting such as VENUS, EVOware, Python/Java-based APIs, or similar vendor software.

Responsibilities

Translating manual protein discovery, analytical, molecular, NGS, screening, biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based workflows into automated methods and workcell configurations.
Configuring and optimizing methods on liquid handlers and integrated workcells including sealers, peelers, washers, centrifuges, incubators, readers, labelers, barcode scanners, storage systems, and analytical devices.
Contributing to deck layouts, method logic, sample maps, reagent maps, consumable maps, plate/tube movements, worklist structures, user prompts, run controls, and run readiness checklists.
Authoring or contributing to method descriptions, UAT protocols, SOPs, work instructions, training materials, data handoff notes, and troubleshooting guides.
Supporting translation of scientific requests into automation worklists, sample preparation steps, instrument sequences, data output expectations, and acceptance checks.
Participating in defining run states, sample states, consumable states, operator prompts, allowable pauses, manual intervention points, and critical issue thresholds.
Working with IT/data teams and scientists to understand ELN, LIMS, GDB, data lake, request tracking, barcode, file transfer, and reporting requirements.
Supporting practical adoption by training users, capturing feedback, and improving usability without weakening scientific rigor or traceability.
Troubleshooting liquid handling performance, assay transfer issues, device integration, sample routing, scheduling, barcode scanning, data capture gaps, and run exceptions.
Analyzing run records, failure modes, cycle times, hands-on time, sample losses, and user feedback to improve reliability, throughput, reproducibility, and data quality.
Supporting investigations and corrective actions for automation-related deviations, failed runs, interrupted workflows, and inconsistent scientific outputs.
Collaborating with automation engineers and vendors to distinguish method, assay, consumable, device, and physical integration root causes.
Support technology evaluations, proof-of-concept studies, workflow readiness assessments, user demonstrations, and vendor evaluations for future automation capabilities.
Contribute to laboratory automation standards, workflow templates, data handoff expectations, training materials, and playbooks.
Support audit, inspection, or quality documentation requests where automated scientific workflows intersect with regulated or quality-driven environments.
Participate in lessons learned and continuous improvement activities to improve future automation delivery and adoption.