Job Title: Scientific - Scientist II
Location: - Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Duration 12 + months
Shift - 1st shift
Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced Scientist to support the development, optimization, and integration of automated molecular biology workflows for next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications. This is a hands-on laboratory position focused on nucleic acid sample processing, NGS library preparation, workflow automation, and experimental optimization.
The ideal candidate is a self-motivated experimentalist who can independently design and execute laboratory experiments, troubleshoot complex molecular biology workflows, analyze results, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance automated sample-to-library preparation processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute and optimize automated workflows for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and NGS library preparation.
- Develop and evaluate automated sample preparation and sequencing library construction workflows.
- Design, perform, analyze, and document experiments to assess workflow performance, robustness, and reproducibility.
- Troubleshoot molecular biology processes integrated with automated fluidic and consumable platforms.
- Perform DNA/RNA quantification, library QC, normalization, pooling, and sequencing preparation.
- Operate and troubleshoot laboratory automation platforms and associated laboratory instrumentation.
- Analyze experimental data and communicate findings to project teams and leadership.
- Collaborate with teams across assay development, automation engineering, bioinformatics, consumables development, and systems engineering.
- Prepare detailed experimental reports, protocols, procedures, and technical documentation.
- Support technology transfer, verification, and validation activities as projects progress.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and follow established laboratory practices and safety procedures.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of automated workflows and laboratory processes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
- 3-5 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology, genomics, or a related field.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with NGS library preparation workflows.
- Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory automation platforms.
- Experience integrating molecular biology processes into automated or semi-automated workflows.
- Strong understanding of PCR, DNA extraction, nucleic acid quantification, and sequencing library QC.
- Experience with genomics instrumentation and relevant analytical software.
- Strong experimental design, data analysis, documentation, and communication skills.
- Ability to independently plan and execute laboratory experiments with minimal supervision.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing or optimizing workflows within cartridge-based or consumable-based automated systems.
- Experience with Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or other NGS technologies.
- Familiarity with automated magnetic bead purification and nucleic acid cleanup workflows.
- Experience supporting product development, verification, or validation activities.
- Knowledge of assay development principles and sequencing workflow optimization.
- Experience working with biological samples.
- Experience working in a cross-functional product development environment.
- Exposure to NGS data analysis or bioinformatics workflows.