Automation Scientist

Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automated Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry or equivalent with scientific expertise with laboratory equipment in the development and execution of bioanalytical assays

Required Experience and Skills:

Hands-on experience with Hamilton, Echo (Labcyte), and GBG platforms, including method development, troubleshooting, and day-to-day operation of automated workflows.

Experience programming and operating automated laboratory equipment such as liquid handlers, dispensers, washers, centrifuges, and related instrumentation.

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently identify and resolve technical issues.

Ability to generate, analyze, and interpret scientific data produced on automated platforms.

Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively across scientific, engineering, software-focused teams.

Must be self-sufficient and able to hit the ground running

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Integrating robotic system schedulers (e.g. High Resolution BioSolution, Biosero, Thermo Momentum)

• Working in pharmaceutical or biotech company and/or laboratory experience

• Implementing Client automation workflows and authoring operations SOPs

• Microsoft programming languages (VB, C#, labview or equivalent)

• Electro-Mechanical design/assembly skills

• Use of electronic laboratory notebooks

Responsibilities:

The automation scientist in DMPK at South San Francisco will be responsible for driving the implementation of automated workflows to support pre-clinical studies. The Scientist will work collaboratively with other team members in a fast-paced environment to operate automated laboratory equipment and systems to support various DMPK assays. This specific position is a 6-month contract, and the individual should possess knowledge of the principles and concepts of various biological assays as they pertain to method development and sample testing using various liquid handlers and laboratory equipment. They should have a propensity towards technology. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in laboratory automation and modernization, providing input into the optimization of experimental methods with laboratory equipment and automation using state-of-the-art robotic systems.

• Support the design, planning, and execution of robust automation strategies to support the DMPK group in SSF

• Work jointly with department members, IT, and across functional teams to implement automation workflows, support lab instrumentation and robotic platforms, and develop Client data handling and analysis workflows

• Contribute to the development of automated workflows to support assays such as immunoassay (IA), peptide stability, protein binding, automated sample preparation for plasma and tissue drug concentration analysis, cell culture maintenance & cell-based assays

• Map and integrate all the workflows for efficient use of automation and space

• Develop/update operations SOPs

• Troubleshoot errors, maintain, and update instruments

• Train and support scientists in automation workflows & platforms Manage data integrity through automated processes

• Collaborate to identify, evaluate, and recommend Client and cutting-edge automation and assay strategies to drive our discovery programs, including machine learning and artificial intelligence.