Molecular Biology Scientist

TekWissen • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

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. This 1-year contract role will focus on developing and optimizing bead-based nucleic acid extraction and direct-to-qPCR workflows for advanced molecular biology applications. The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on experience with magnetic bead–based nucleic acid purification and qPCR and will contribute to multiple R&D initiatives aimed at improving sensitivity, speed, and workflow efficiency for nucleic acid extraction and detection across research and applied markets.

Requirements

• 1+ year Hands-on experience with magnetic bead–based nucleic acid extraction (DNA and/or RNA).
• 3+ months Experience with direct-to-PCR or lysis-only workflows.
• 1+ year Strong working knowledge of qPCR and RT-qPCR, including assay setup, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• 6+ months Experience working with biological samples and chemical lysis methods.
• Ability to independently plan and execute experiments while meeting project timelines.
• Ability to use basic analytical techniques and equipment to formulate buffers (molarity calculations, pH meter, balances, etc.)
• Experience with Excel and PowerPoint.
• Education experience does count toward the required experience in the above skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with automated sample preparation platforms.
• Experience working in an R&D or product development laboratory environment.
• Experience JMP statistical analysis software.
• Strong independent experimental design and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• High attention to detail and data quality.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze laboratory experiments supporting bead-based DNA and RNA extraction workflows.
• Develop and optimize lysis-to-qPCR and direct-to-PCR sample preparation workflows, including Cells-to-CT–style approaches.
• Perform qPCR and RT-qPCR assays to evaluate workflow performance, sensitivity, and robustness.
• Support development of sample preparation solutions for complex biological matrices (e.g., plasma, serum, cell culture media, bodily fluids).
• Document experimental results clearly and contribute to technical reports and data summaries.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners including assay development, automation, and product development teams.
• Adhere to laboratory safety, quality, and data integrity standards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level