Research Associate III

Description

Position Summary:

The Research Associate III (RA III) works to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment and has the competency to operate proactively and collaboratively in a team in support of research and development activities. Tasks will focus on analytical chemistry experiments and procedures (e.g., testing chemistry from products and running analytical chemistry instrumentation) 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 mastery of laboratory technical skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, critical thinking, troubleshooting and problem-solving, data analysis, sequence analysis, and a dedication to the mission and goals of the department and bioMérieux. A Research Associate III is expected to self-direct in work and assignments with minimal supervision.

Essential Duties Include:

• Places orders for project-specific laboratory supplies.
• 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 with analytical chemistry instrumentation (LC-MS, ICP-OES, Karl Fischer, and NIR).
• 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 and complex calculations and lab techniques, including solution formulation, nucleic acid extraction and quantification,  PCR and/or sequencing, primer/sequence evaluation using bioinformatic tools, creating standard curves, and statistical analyses of results for comparisons.
• Design and execute study protocols for complex experiments and investigations.
• Conduct complex data analyses with minimum supervision and determine next steps.
• Communicate data and analyses in written reports and oral presentations to peers, supervisors, and broader scientific community at conferences, commensurate with job level.
• Lead the writing of study reports.
• Train other team members on laboratory and department practices and procedures, commensurate with experience.
• Develops strategies to troubleshoot unexpected experimental results and/or product performance and proposes solutions.
• Perform all work in compliance with bioMérieux corporate policies and within the guidelines of the Quality Management System.

Additional information about this position:

• Performs work under minimal supervision.
• Handles complex issues and involves higher-level staff as needed.
• May coach more junior staff.
• Works full time onsite.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline
• A minimum of five years’ experience in an academic, industry, or healthcare laboratory, with at least two years’ experience in industry.
• Expertise in real-time PCR and/or sequence analysis and/or analytical chemistry techniques.
• Requires familiarity with Analytical Chemistry Instrumentation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Has comprehensive knowledge of current and evolving analytical chemistry principles, tools, and techniques relevant to developing diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.
• Detail-oriented in executing work and in record keeping.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Mastery of laboratory practices including pipetting, handling biological and chemical materials, sterile technique and contamination control, and complex concentration and statistical calculations.
• Mastery of 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.).
• Requires being comfortable working with analytical chemistry instruments, methods, and reagents
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow rules and regulations.