Research Scientist

Exact Sciences•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Help us change lives At Exact Sciences, we're helping change how the world prevents, detects and guides treatment for cancer. We give patients and clinicians the clarity needed to make confident decisions when they matter most. Join our team to find a purpose-driven career, an inclusive culture, and robust benefits to support your life while you're working to help others. Position Overview The Research Scientist is expected to demonstrate both strong individual capability and effective teamwork while working on multiple projects of moderate to high complexity. In this role, the Research Scientist collaborates with their manager for overall project planning, independently designs and plans experiments, and works closely with team members to carry out laboratory work. The Research Scientist is responsible for analyzing experimental results, summarizing findings, and proactively identifying and solving problems. Serving as a technical lead, this position plays a key role in transforming research ideas and concepts into diagnostic assay products within the product development pipeline. The primary responsibility of this position is to create clinical research datasets using our proprietary DNA sequencing methods to support our cancer detection products. Additional duties may include managing day-to-day laboratory testing for clinical research studies, as well as identifying and validating alternative sample isolation or purification procedures to accommodate non-standard specimen types. The role may also involve contributing to or leading efforts to optimize and characterize various aspects of clinical sample testing workflows, such as specimen processing, nucleic acid isolation, library construction, target enrichment, and target detection. Additionally, this position may communicate with external collaborators as subject matter expert and company R D representative.

Requirements

PhD in life sciences, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field; or Master's degree in life sciences, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field and 4 years of related experience in lieu of a PhD; or Bachelor's degree in life sciences, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field and 6 years of related experience in lieu of PhD.
1+ years of experience in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science, or pharmaceutical industry.
Demonstrated ability to apply molecular biology and/or biochemical techniques.
Demonstrated understanding of GMP, ISO, and Quality Systems.
Good knowledge of molecular biology and/or biochemistry and/or next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genomics.
Basic knowledge of statistical and mathematical methods in biology/genetics/genomics; including experience with statistical software, such as JMP
Proficient computer skills to include Internet navigation, Email usage, and word processing.
Proficient in Microsoft Office to include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in country where work will be performed on a full-time or part-time basis.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas currently.

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science or pharmaceutical industry.
Hands-on experience with DNA extraction, quantification, and physical analysis (e.g. electrophoresis or spectrophotometry).
Experience with NGS based diagnostic assay development is desirable.
Experience with R, Python, or other advanced data analysis tools is desirable.
Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, analyze, and interpret experiments.
Good documentation practices.
Hands-on experience with DNA library construction and target enrichment for analysis on Next Generation Sequencing platforms.
Experience with cfDNA-based assays and automation platforms.
Familiarity with assay development, optimization, and validation processes.
Proven ability to work cross-functionally with R D, bioinformatics, clinical operations, and quality teams.
Knowledge of cancer biology, genetics, genomics, and/or epigenetics.

Responsibilities

Conduct bench level experiments within several product or technology areas and identify problems and discrepancies.
Independently plan and analyze results of bench level experiments within several product or technology areas: effectively present at data meetings, group meetings, and project team meetings.
Operate scientific instrumentation related to performance of duties and notify appropriate personnel of any problems.
Effectively utilize and apply methods or technologies and provide ideas for new techniques, when appropriate.
Maintain knowledge of technological industry developments that could assist in completion of an assignment or aid in the development of new processes or procedures.
Provide technical input and participate in decisions affecting project planning and experimental design.
Prepare and provide information and data for scientific abstracts/conferences/project meetings/publication.
Generate, document, and communicate development plans for critical aspects of a project.
Participate in the development of research plans and experimental outlines, write experimental protocols, and perform laboratory experiments.
Prepare detailed technical procedures, protocols, and reports.
Evaluate impact of nonconforming data to product or process.
Identify and address trends in study data.
Prepare and approve written reports.
Lead identification of areas for process improvements.
Maintain lab notebook in a complete and consistent manner, following all legal, ISO, and QSR requirements, as well as keeping clear and complete.
Prepare reports and documentation providing the analysis or summarization of experimental results, outcomes, and next steps to supervisor, technical teams/groups, or project teams.
Present experimental results and defend scientific ideas and findings at project or departmental meetings; provide technical input, as needed.
Work on problems of diverse and complex in-scope in which analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
Exercise judgment within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
Work on individual assignments and with project team members, as appropriate, to meet department and project objectives.
Work within project timeframes that are established collaboratively by team members.
Act as technical leader for one or more projects that are moderate to complex in scope.
Exercise discretion and independent judgement within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining and interpreting results, analyzing data, and presenting findings in a professional and knowledgeable manner.
Promote an open, collaborative environment built on trust to foster positive teamwork.
Assist in planning and recommendation of activities that account for prioritization of organizational and department goals.
Ability to train and mentor research associates.
Ability to organize, present, and convey moderate problems or issues.
Ability to communicate clearly with supervisor and group members.
Excellent presentation skills.
Ability to collaborate, work effectively and contribute within team, department, and cross-functional teams.
Strong attention to detail skills.
Ability to effectively work on several varied projects at one time, with frequent changing priorities.
Excellent analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
Apply technical knowledge, scientific creativity and rigor, collaboration with others, and independent thought; ability to provide insights and defend scientific ideas.
Apply experimental knowledge and outcomes to new and valuable problems; ability to make predictions based on a deep understanding of the fundamental nature of the inputs into a decision or action.
Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
Support and comply with the company's Quality Management System policies and procedures.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day.
Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 50% of a typical working day.
Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment including microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, and pipettes for extended periods of time.
May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.
Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
Ability and means to travel between local Exact Sciences locations.
Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Benefits

Exact Sciences is proud to offer an employee experience that includes paid time off (including days for vacation, holidays, volunteering, and personal time), paid leave for parents and caregivers, a retirement savings plan, wellness support, and health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.

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