Research Associate, Process Development

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to work on the development of cutting-edge products and reagents for the rapidly evolving spatial-omics field. The Research Associate will work within the Process Development group (R&D) and will also contribute in cross-functional team projects for successful process development and transfer of products and reagents to Operations. The successful candidate will work hands-on to execute antibody-oligo conjugation reactions, qPCR, centrifugation, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, enzyme kinetic reactions and other standard unit operations. A high degree of flexibility, creativity and initiative is essential for success. Strong technical, organization, communication, inter-personal, and trouble shooting skills are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work within Process development (R&D) group to generate, analyze and present process data to support commercialization of reagents, consumables and kits for latest spatial transcriptomic and spatial-omics platforms and accompanying workflows.
• Independently design and execute experiments to study and optimize process parameters for development of reagents and consumables.
• Contribute towards the development of appropriate quality control methods for the evaluation and testing of reagents and consumables.
• Contribute towards the development of data packages for transfer of new processes to operations.
• Execute experiments that involve commercialization of benchtop methods and techniques for Vizgen’s MERFISH technology.
• Author technical reports of process characterization and optimization.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, or equivalent degree in life sciences.
• 0-2 years experience in biotechnology/pharma industry.
• Experience and/or familiarity of correct operation of basic laboratory equipment: pH meters, DO probes, lab scales, centrifuges, chemical fume hoods is required.
• Experience and/or familiarity in the use of analytical equipment such as spectrophotometers, microscopes, plate readers, and flow cytometers is preferred.
• Experience in enzyme kinetics, qPCR, antibody-oligo conjugation is a plus.
• Knowledge and/or experience in process characterization, process optimization is a plus.
• Experience in design of experiments and in the use of statistical tools and techniques (JMP) is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology and imaging protocols (fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, single-molecule imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, tissue sectioning, NGS library construction, RNA-seq, cell transfection, antibody-labeling, etc.) is a plus
• Ability to work independently as well as part of results-oriented cross-functional project teams
• Ability to collaborate and present experimental work to cross-functional groups
• Must have strong analytical, problem solving, planning and organizational skills