Associate Scientist, Technical Operations

Personalis, Inc; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity incentives

Medical benefits

401(k) match

ESPP

Tuition reimbursement

Onsite gym

Job summary

Personalis, Inc. in Fremont, California, seeks an Associate Scientist for Technical Operations to support and improve our Next Generation Sequencing products and lead transfer and validation of new processes into operations.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on molecular biology experience and familiarity with high-throughput LIMS and robotic systems. You will work with R&D, Operations, LIMS, Data Analytics and Quality to drive scalable, compliant lab processes while solving problems

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related field with ≥6 years relevant experience; CLS certification desirable.
• Hands-on experience with Next Generation Sequencing technologies and CLIA/CAP laboratory environments.
• LIMS integration and Laboratory automation experience.
• Strong analytical, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with R&D, Operations, LIMS, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, QA, and Regulatory to implement new products and automate processes.
• Plan releases, manage product lifecycle, and ensure sustainability and scalability of lab operations.
• Troubleshoot lab operations and support non-conformance investigations and corrective actions.
• Assist LIMS team with deploying improvements to Operations Informatics systems and related equipment.
• Plan and drive end-to-end testing and validation for NGS assays and workflows.
• Collaborate with operations, product development, research and automation teams to identify growth in sample volume.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and deliverables per the product development process.

Skills

NGS experience

Lab automation

Cross-functional

Analytical

Communication

Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology / related field

CLS certification (desirable)

Advanced degree advantageous

Tools

LIMS integration

Laboratory automation

Job description

At Personalis, we are transforming the active management of cancer through breakthrough personalized testing. We aim to drive a new paradigm for cancer management, guiding care from biopsy through the life of the patient. Our highly sensitive assays combine tumor-and-normal profiling with proprietary algorithms to deliver advanced insights even as cancer evolves over time. Our products are designed to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and recurrence at the earliest timepoints, enable selection of targeted therapies based on ultra-comprehensive genomic profiling, and enhance biomarker strategy for drug development. Personalis is based in Fremont, California.

Summary:

As an Associate Scientist within the Technical Operations group, you will be responsible for initiating, supporting, and implementing improvements to existing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based products and leading transfer and validation of new processes and products into operations. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with molecular biology techniques and familiarity working with high throughput lab information systems and robotic liquid handlers. You will be encouraged to think outside the box and creatively solve problems while collaborating with different groups across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with cross‑functional teams such as R&D, Operations, LIMS, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Quality, and Regulatory to implement new products and automated processes, plan operational releases, and manage product life cycle.
• Contribute to the company’s strategic plan to ensure the sustainability and scalability of lab operational processes and to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
• Participate in lab operations troubleshooting effort and support non‑conformance investigations and corrective action implementations.
• Assist the LIMS team with deploying improvements and extensions to the existing Operations Informatics systems, as well as associated lab instruments and software systems.
• Plan and drive execution of end‑to‑end testing and validation pertaining to Next Generation Sequencing assays and workflows.
• Partner with lab operations, product development, research and automation teams to identify areas of growth in sample volume and implement potential operational improvements.
• Participate in project core teams, lead working teams, and collaborate cross‑functional to formulate relevant project deliverables per the company’s product development process.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering or related field with a minimum of 6 years relevant experience. An advanced degree can be advantageous. CLS certification is highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and willingness to collaborate cross‑functionally.
• Practical hands‑on knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and sample preparation workflows performed in CLIA/CAP regulated environment. Experience with ISO 13485/FDA is a plus.
• LIMS integration and Laboratory automation experience.
• Proven ability to think innovatively toward solving problems effectively and efficiently. Six Sigma Green Belt certification is a plus.
• Analytical, detail‑oriented, organized, takes initiative, and self‑motivated.

The hiring range for this position is $109,000 to $132,000 per year, which may factor in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. Our full‑time regular positions also include an annual performance‑based bonus (or a sales incentive plan) and long‑term incentive units (equity) provided as part of our compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Personalis is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. As part of this commitment, Personalis will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you need an accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please let your recruiter know, if/when they contacts you.

Personalis is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabilities. Personalis offers a competitive compensation package and benefits including medical,dental, vision, 401(k) match, ESPP, tuition reimbursement, sick/vacation time, commuter benefits/ EV charging stations, onsite gym, and wellness benefits. (For US only, benefits in other countries may vary.)

Protecting Our Candidates:

At Personalis, we value your security. Please note that all official correspondence from our team will come exclusively from @ personalis.com email addresses. We will never ask for personal financial information or conduct interviews over text or chat platforms. If you receive a suspicious request, it is likely a scam. We are committed to a safe recruitment experience and actively work with authorities to investigate and prosecute cyber crimes targeting our community.