Scientist II

Our client, a leading Medical manufacturing company, is looking for a Scientist II. This is for an initial duration of 15 months and is located at Sunnyvale, CA.

Job Title: Scientist II

Reference ID: 26-04847

Location: Sunnyvale, CA.

Duration: 15 months

Job Type: Contract (Candidates must be able to work on W2 without VISA sponsorship)

We are seeking an experienced Scientist to support the development and optimization of automated molecular biology workflows for next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications. The candidate should have experience in laboratory automation, nucleic acid sample processing, and NGS library preparation. Experience in hands-on NGS workflow is a must. Experience with NGS data analysis is highly preferred. This hands-on laboratory role focuses on integrating complex molecular biology workflows into automated, cartridge-based consumables designed to enable sample preparation and sequencing library construction in a closed environment.

The ideal candidate is an engaged and self-motivated experimentalist.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute and optimize automated nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and NGS library preparation workflows.
• Support the development of cartridge-based sample-to-library preparation systems for sequencing applications.
• Design, perform, analyze, and document experiments evaluating workflow performance, robustness, and reproducibility.
• Troubleshoot molecular biology processes integrated into automated fluidic and consumable platforms.
• Perform DNA/RNA quantification, library QC, normalization, pooling, and sequencing preparation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including assay development, automation engineering, bioinformatics, consumables development, and systems engineering.
• Generate detailed experimental reports, protocols, and technical documentation.
• Analyze experimental data and communicate findings to project teams and leadership.
• Support technology transfer, verification, and validation activities as development projects mature.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure compliance with established laboratory practices and safety procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of automated workflows and laboratory processes.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in molecular biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or related scientific discipline.
• 3-5 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology or genomics.
• 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 techniques.
• Experience with common genomics instrumentation and analytical software tools.
• Excellent 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 working with Oxford Nanopore, Illumina, or related sequencing technologies.
• Familiarity with automated magnetic bead purification and nucleic acid cleanup workflows.
• Experience supporting regulated product development, verification, or validation activities.
• Knowledge of assay development principles and sequencing workflow optimization.
• Experience in working with biological samples
• Experience working in a cross-functional product development environment.
• This is a laboratory-based position requiring daily on-site participation and hands-on experimental work.

Compensation: The hourly rate for this position is between $40-42 per hour.

Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include [geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate].

Interested and Qualified candidates, please send your most recently updated word document resume to Jaffer.s@sunrisesys.com or Pavan.P@sunriseysys.com