Research Associate I

Description

The Research Associate I (RA I) works to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment and has the temperament to operate proactively and collaboratively in a team in support of research and development activities. Tasks will focus on molecular, microbiological, and analytical chemistry experiments and procedures (e.g., sample extraction, serial dilution, PCR, running analytical instruments, etc.) with associated collection, analysis, verification and recording of data in accordance with established protocols and work instruction documents, regulations, safety requirements, and the quality system. Work is primarily collaborative and requires the ability to communicate and coordinate with peers and supervisor(s) effectively and respectfully.

The position requires basic laboratory technical skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, critical thinking, troubleshooting and problem-solving, and a dedication to the mission and goals of the department and bioMérieux. A Research Associate I may receive general or detailed instruction and direct supervision on general work, new procedures, and assignments. 

Essential Duties Include:

• Assists with stocking project-specific laboratory supplies, including inventorying stock.
• Act as a good lab citizen and team member. Coordinate and collaborate within and across teams and functional groups for routine lab activities, cleaning, equipment use, specific assigned tasks and projects, and sharing of knowledge, skills, and ideas.
• Work in a Biosafety level 2/2+ environment with potentially pathogenic microbes, patient samples, and body fluids using sterile technique for contamination and infection control.
• Ensure data integrity and accurate record-keeping by collecting, recording (in an electronic laboratory notebook and/ /or study worksheets), analyzing and verifying data in compliance with company standard operating procedures, work instruction documents, and study protocols.
• Use and maintain laboratory equipment, supplies/inventory, and workspaces according to operational, quality, and safety requirements as outlined in protocols, standard operating procedures, and work instruction documents.
• Perform routine calculations and laboratory techniques including solution formulation, microbial culture and enumeration, nucleic acid extraction and quantification, real-time and/or digital PCR, as well as basic statistical analyses.
• Execute study protocols and contribute to protocol and process development, optimization, and/or revision.
• Conduct routine data analysis under supervision.
• Communicate data and analyses in written reports and oral presentations to peers and supervisors, commensurate with job level.
• Contribute to the writing of study reports.
• Perform all work in compliance with bioMérieux corporate policies and within the guidelines of the Quality Management System.
• Performs work under direct supervision.
• Handles basic issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level staff.
• Works full time onsite.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline.
• A minimum of six months’ experience in an academic, industry, or healthcare laboratory.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge, special skills and/or abilities required to perform the job functions

• Has beginning to working knowledge of current and evolving microbiology and molecular biology principles, tools, and techniques relevant to developing diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.

• Detail-oriented in executing work and in record keeping.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Basic competence in laboratory practices including pipetting, handling biological and chemical materials, sterile technique and contamination control, and basic concentration and statistical calculations.
• Basic competence with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• May require experience with various data processing software (e.g. Minitab, GraphPad Prism, etc.).
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities sometimes change on short notice.
• Comfortable working with human specimens and fluids (blood, stool, sputum, etc.).
• May require working with biosafety level 2 pathogens.
• May require comfort in working with analytical chemistry instruments, methods, and reagents.
• Aptitude for critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Ability to follow rules and regulations.

Please be aware that recruitment related scams are on the rise. Fraudulent job postings are being placed on other websites, and individuals posing as bioMérieux Talent Acquisition team members are reaching out via email or text message in an attempt to collect your personal and confidential information. In some cases, these scammers are also conducting bogus interviews prior to extending fraudulent offers of employment. Beware of individuals reaching out using general phone numbers and non-bioMerieux email domains (i.e. Hotmail.com, Gmail.com, Yahoo.com, etc.). If you are concerned that an interview experience or offer of employment might be a scam, please make sure you are searching for the posting on our careers site https://careers.biomerieux.com/ or contact us at recruitment@biomerieux.com.

BioMérieux Inc. and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Please be advised that the receipt of satisfactory responses to reference requests and the provision of satisfactory proof of an applicant’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States are required of all new hires. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission may result in the failure to receive an offer, the retraction of an offer, or if already hired, dismissal. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation in BioMérieux’s or its affiliates’ application process by contacting us via telephone at (385) 770-1132, by email at recruitment@biomerieux.com, or by dialing 711 for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).