Job Abstract

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and highly motivated Automation Scientist to join the Vaccine Platforms group in the Infectious Disease and Vaccines department at our company in West Point, PA. The main objective of our group is to discover and develop novel RNA-based vaccines. Toward this goal, we are seeking an individual with the knowledge and technical skills in automated workflows to help us achieve our goals. This role requires both prior experience and the desire to learn and develop as a scientist. We also value the ability to effectively contribute scientific ideas, participate in team discussions, maintain an organized and efficient lab space, and collaborate within a dynamic team to foster a healthy work environment. The successful candidate will work at the cutting-edge of vaccine discovery, which utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation, automated robotic workflows, and artificial intelligence to ease suffering worldwide.

Qualifications:

• M.S. in Life Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or another related scientific field), Engineering or Computer Science (with expected completion by August 2024)
• B.A./B.S. with a minimum of 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and/or biotech industry
• Experience in liquid handler automation, preferably with Biomek and/or Bravo systems.
• Proficiency in automated assay execution, data analysis, and electronic notebook tracking.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, both written and oral.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Microsoft programming languages such as LabView, C#, Visual Basic, or equivalent is preferred.
• Experience with automation scheduling software such as Biosero Green Button Go, High Res Cellario, or Thermo Momentum is preferred.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, specifically nucleic acid extractions handling RNA, is preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement automated laboratory workflows for molecular biology assay automation.
• Collaborate closely and effectively with scientists on the team to understand project requirements.
• Utilize expertise in liquid handler automation (Biomek or Bravo systems) and molecular biology to perform tasks effectively.
• Design experiments, interpret and track results, and utilize findings for workflow development and optimization.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow established protocols and design new protocols to migrate assays from the bench to automated platforms.
• Participate in the preparation of assay reagents and set up instrumentation for the execution of automated workflows.
• Monitor and execute automation systems, including system and instrument level error recovery.
• Opportunity to work with instrument APIs to integrate instruments into automated workflows.
• Maintaining inventory of reagents, consumables, and produced constructs for automation operation.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separationpackage, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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