Technologist II

Precision for Medicine•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Technologist II (Molecular) performs and supports molecular biology assays for laboratory projects, working with scientists through assay development, qualification, validation, and execution. The role requires a broad laboratory skill set, troubleshooting ability, and the ability to perform assays according to SOPs while supporting the development of new procedures and improvement of existing SOPs. The technologist works in accordance with CLIA and supports laboratory compliance with GLP and GCP standards. The position also involves training staff, maintaining reagents and consumables, conducting instrument maintenance, generating data and reports, and participating in cross-functional process-improvement activities. Some work may include freezer transfers and coordinating with QC and entering locations into BSI. The role may require evening, weekend, holiday, and extended-hour work. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without employer sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Biology, or another related discipline.
More than 2 years of prior related laboratory experience.
Skilled in molecular biology techniques and able and willing to learn and execute RNA and DNA extractions, qPCR, NGS, or other molecular biology platform techniques.
Good troubleshooting skills in a laboratory setting.
Good team player; detail-oriented and organized; able to work under pressure and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Superior attention to detail and ability and willingness to scrutinize data effectively.
Ability to work well in a group environment.
Strong computational skills; preferably experienced with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent judgment and discretion.
Able to read, write, speak fluently, and comprehend English.
Able to lift and carry 1–15 lbs and lift up to 50 lbs overhead with assistance.
Frequently able to sit, grasp, and use right- and left-hand finger dexterity.
Able to work occasional long hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Four years of related experience, preferably in an NGS core facility or NGS laboratory.
MB (ASCP) certification.
Wet-lab experience across the entire NGS workflow, from library preparation to sequencing, using Illumina or Ion Torrent.
Experience with qPCR, digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and NanoString.
Experience extracting DNA and RNA from a variety of sources.
Solid laboratory experience across multiple skill sets.
Understanding of current GLP or CAP/CLIA/ISO standards.
Laboratory documentation experience related to regulatory guidelines, including cGMP, cGLP, or ISO, and SOPs.

Responsibilities

Work with scientists to develop, qualify, validate, and execute assays for molecular biology projects.
Perform assays according to SOPs and support development of new procedures and improvements to existing SOPs.
Run quality-control samples and clinical samples and generate data.
Maintain stocks of required reagents and consumables.
Perform daily, weekly, and monthly instrument maintenance and troubleshoot instruments as needed.
Work with QA to maintain good documentation and support laboratory operations under CLIA, GLP, and GCP standards.
Train new personnel on project-related assays, daily laboratory work, and SOPs.
Participate in cross-functional process-improvement activities.
Complete freezer transfers, generate reports, coordinate with QC, and enter locations into BSI as needed.
Contribute to reagent quality control through testing and SOP writing.
Perform other duties as assigned.