Senior Quality Scientist I

Addgene•Watertown, MA

2d•$84,000 - $92,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will contribute to Addgene’s mission to accelerate research and discovery by improving access to useful research materials and information through ensuring only the highest quality materials are distributed to scientists. The Senior Quality Scientist I will help the Quality team grow Addgene’s catalogue of items available for customers to order while sustaining our high quality of materials offered. Additionally, this position will grow the team’s computational and quality analysis capabilities. In this position, you will support Addgene’s mission to deliver only the highest quality materials to scientists around the world. The Senior Quality Scientist I independently owns complex QC analyses and depositor relationships, leads new process development within the QC team, and contributes bioinformatic and scripting expertise to team capability expansion. This role is expected to proactively identify gaps and opportunities within the QC team's existing scope, propose projects, and execute them with minimal direction.

Requirements

PhD in Biological Sciences or other life science, MS with 4+ years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with cloning, primer design, and sequence analysis required
Experience with a programming or scripting language (Python, Bash, R, etc) and command line tools
Experience with next-generation sequencing analysis using bioinformatic software required
Working knowledge of standard molecular biology practices including bacterial transformations, DNA preparation, and digests
Well versed in reading scientific research articles
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Able to manage multiple tasks efficiently
Self-motivated, proactive with desire for continuous improvement
Mentoring mindset, demonstrating patience and clarity in explanations
Strong leadership skills with ability to communicate complex information succinctly
Ability to adapt to changing lab priorities, new technologies, or unforeseen challenges, finding innovative ways to manage them.
Ability to write technical reports and document outcomes of projects
Ability to work independently and as a member of a cross functional team
Must be able to communicate effectively in English; strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and ability to work closely with scientists required
Familiarity with general computer software, including sequence analysis software, Google Workspace, and MS Office

Responsibilities

Independently perform, document, and report quality control (QC) analysis across all sample types and complexity levels, including resolving novel or non-routine QC issues.
QC analysis includes verifying sample functionality through DNA sequence analysis of Illumina and Nanopore next generation sequencing data, as well as diagnostic restriction enzyme digests.
Serve as escalation point for complex depositor communications before escalation up; own end-to-end resolution of difficult cases
Provide bioinformatic, script writing, and command line expertise to new project development and process optimization plans
Lead NGS-related bioinformatic processes; serve as a technical resource for post-run data processing, pipeline management, uploading of sequencing results, and troubleshooting.
Perform additional Quality team duties for specialized sample analyses, internal team processes, and external team communications.
Contribute to the development of Quality Control team goals and best practices; lead discussions on progress and alignment at team meetings
Serve as a subject and technical expert on QC tasks, answer team questions, cross-train team members, and update and improve team processes and SOPs.
Develop and lead new team initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, and scope of performing QC analyses on a variety of samples through different means.
Author, update, and maintain new SOPs for developmental processes. Cross-train team members on new processes upon launch.
Occasionally contribute to outreach/marketing initiatives and/or to educational content on our website.

Benefits

85% company-paid healthcare premiums including dental (extending to family members) and 100% company-paid deductible
Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
22 days of PTO on top of our winter break closure and company holidays.
A 403(b) retirement account with a company match of 4% after 2 years of employment.
Annual professional development stipend
Annual lifestyle stipend
Fully paid public transportation for employees who work onsite four or more days per week.
Onsite yoga classes & wellness reimbursement
Pet insurance
Annual financial planning one-on-ones with our plan administrator