Research & Development Scientist III - Clinical Assay Development (Rare Disease Diagnostics)

Baylor Genetics • Houston, TX

1d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist III to join our Assay R&D team developing next‑generation clinical assays for rare disease diagnostics. In this role, you will design and optimize cutting‑edge DNA and RNA sequencing–based assays using a variety of input materials, including blood, saliva, and buccal swabs. This position is ideal for an accomplished scientist with expertise in molecular biology, sequencing technologies, and clinical assay development who thrives in a fast‑paced, innovation‑driven environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in sequencing workflows and assay development, ideally in a clinical or diagnostic lab.
• Expertise working with diverse sample types including blood, saliva, and buccal swabs.
• Strong proficiency in molecular biology techniques (PCR, qPCR, NGS, nucleic acid extraction).
• Experience with NGS data analysis tools and pipelines.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and communication abilities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience transferring R&D assays into clinical or production operations.
• Familiarity with regulated environments such as CLIA or CAP.
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems.
• Ability to rapidly learn and apply new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of sequencing-based clinical assays for rare disease detection.
• Develop end-to-end workflows utilizing multiple sample types, including blood, saliva, and buccal swabs.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and interpret results to guide assay performance improvements.
• Define assay performance metrics and collaborate with validation teams on verification and validation studies.
• Work cross-functionally with bioinformatics, automation, validation, and clinical teams for successful assay transfer.
• Maintain accurate experimental documentation in compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Present scientific findings and contribute to reports and/or publications.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and scientific trends to support innovation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree