Bench Scientist - III

Spectraforce Technologies, Inc.; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrumforce Technologies, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Bench Scientist - III in Bothell, WA. This onsite 12-month contract role focuses on wet-lab work, automation and molecular biology support, with daily use of Hamilton platforms and high-throughput workflows.

You will perform DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR and sequencing prep, while developing and refining automated methods to handle increasing sample volumes. Strong lab SOP adherence and BSL-2 experience are beneficial.

Qualifications

• Hands-on automation scientist with strong molecular biology background.
• Experience implementing and optimizing automated workflows.
• Proficient with DNA/RNA extraction and RT-PCR.
• Familiarity with high-throughput sample processing and QC.

Responsibilities

• Operate Hamilton automation platforms and run automated workflows.
• Develop and implement new laboratory methods for sequencing workflows.
• Process samples from multiple sites and perform DNA/RNA extraction.
• Prepare samples for sequencing; run RT-PCR assays and QC activities.
• Support characterization of engineered cell lines and scale automation.

Skills

Automated liquid handling platforms

High-throughput sample processing

Method implementation

Workflow optimization

Laboratory automation troubleshooting

Molecular biology experience

DNA extraction

RNA extraction

RT-PCR

NGS sample preparation

Tools

Hamilton liquid handling systems

Job description

Bench Scientist - III

Location: Bothell, WA (Canyon Park Site)

Duration: 12-Month Contract (potential for extension based on business needs)

Schedule: Onsite, Monday-Friday, approximately 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Hours: 40 hours/week

Overtime: Not anticipated

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What the Manager Is Looking For

The manager is seeking a hands-on Automation Scientist/Bench Scientist who can immediately contribute to a busy wet lab environment supporting molecular biology and automation workflows. This is not a bioinformatics-focused position. While some software and data-related skills are beneficial, the primary need is someone with strong laboratory automation and molecular biology experience.

The team is currently supporting increasing sample volume and needs an experienced scientist who can help implement, run, and improve automated laboratory processes.

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Must-Have Qualifications

• Automated liquid handling platforms
• High-throughput sample processing
• Method implementation and workflow optimization
• Laboratory automation troubleshooting

Hamilton experience is highly preferred

Molecular Biology Experience

• DNA extraction
• RNA extraction
• RT-PCR
• Molecular biology sample preparation
• Sample QC/quality control
• Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) sample preparation
• Genomic and transcriptomic characterization workflows

Wet Lab Experience

• Processing large volumes of samples
• Following laboratory SOPs
• Working in a BSL-2 environment

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Preferred Background

• DNA/RNA extraction workflows
• RT-PCR
• Genomics
• Hamilton liquid handling systems
• Automated assay development
• High-throughput screening
• Cell culture experience is a plus
• Experience working with CHO cells is especially desirable
• Recombinant protein expression knowledge is beneficial

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Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Operating Hamilton automation platforms
• Running automated liquid handling workflows
• Developing and implementing new laboratory methods
• Processing samples received from multiple sites
• Performing DNA and RNA extraction
• Preparing samples for sequencing workflows
• Running RT-PCR assays
• Conducting sample QC and validation activities
• Supporting characterization of engineered cell lines
• Assisting with scaling laboratory automation processes

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High-Value Nice-to-Haves

• Python programming
• Snowflake database experience
• SQL experience
• Workflow automation
• Scientific data analysis
• CHO cell handling
• Recombinant protein expression
• Additional cell culture experience

Candidate Ranking Guide

Top Candidate

• 5+ years of molecular biology experience
• Hands-on Hamilton automation experience
• DNA/RNA extraction expertise
• RT-PCR and NGS sample preparation experience
• Cell culture experience
• Python and/or SQL experience

Strong Candidate

• Strong molecular biology background
• Automation experience with another liquid handling platform
• DNA/RNA extraction and PCR experience
• Exposure to NGS workflows

Acceptable Candidate

• Strong wet lab molecular biology experience
• Limited automation experience but demonstrated ability to learn Hamilton systems quickly

Red Flags

• No automation experience
• Limited molecular biology background
• Primarily computational or bioinformatics-focused experience
• Pure software/data science background
• Gene-editing research focus without relevant automation workflow experience