Lab Analyst II NENSP Molecular

University of Massachusetts Medical School; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA seeks a Lab Analyst II NENSP Molecular to perform laboratory assays for newborn disorder screening. The role requires 1–5 years of relevant experience and competency in high complexity molecular testing under supervision.

The candidate will handle bench work for assay development, validation, troubleshooting, and instrument management, while ensuring strict adherence to laboratory protocols and data documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, life or clinical sciences or equivalent.
• 1–5 years of relevant laboratory experience, including clinical lab exposure.
• Experience with PCR-based assays and high-throughput clinical molecular testing.
• Ability to follow CLIA high complexity testing requirements and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular assays with proper documentation as part of the lab team.
• Follow safety, privacy, and quality control protocols per CLIA and policies.
• Assist in bench work for development, validation, and troubleshooting of assays.
• Support instrument validation, maintenance, and LIMS integration.
• Prepare reagents and kits; contribute to QA/QC data and records.

Skills

PCR design

Assay validation

Data analysis

Quality control

Nucleic acid isolation

Laboratory safety

Excel

Access

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, life or clinical sciences

Tools

Luminex

Real-Time PCR

Robotics for high-throughput

Job description

Overview

Under the general supervision of Lab Management, the Lab Analyst II NENSP Molecular performs laboratory assays for the timely detection of newborn disorders. Maintains competency in high complexity testing (as defined by CLIA) in all molecular methodologies used in the section. Performs other related laboratory tasks in support of laboratory management. Responsibilities include careful adherence to established laboratory protocols, or specific directives of appropriate laboratory managers. This is an intermediate level laboratory position that requires previous relevant laboratory experience and will work under a moderate level of direction and supervision to perform assigned work.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Performs laboratory assays (clinical or research) with appropriate documentation, as an integral member of the section’s laboratory analysts, following validated protocols.
• Follows established safety and privacy protocols.
• Performs bench work to assist management in the performance and documentation of laboratory activities for the technical development, validation, performance and troubleshooting of laboratory assays (both laboratory-developed tests as well as kit assays) used in the screening procedures.
• Performs bench work to assist management in laboratory activities for validation, troubleshooting the performance of and management of instrumentation used in the screening procedures.
• Performs bench work to assist management in laboratory activities for validation, troubleshooting and monitoring of the instrumentation relationships with Laboratory Information Management System.
• Works as an integral team member as needed in the preparation and validation of reagents, materials and kits used in the laboratory.
• Contributes data for laboratory documentation of quality assurance, quality control, and competency data in accordance with Program policies and CLIA requirements.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in chemical, life or clinical sciencesCollege-level coursework or equivalent yielding a solid understanding of the theory of molecular biology

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE

1 – 5 years of relevant experience including some previous clinical laboratory experience2 – 5 years of Assay Implementation and Troubleshooting experienceExperience with several of the following: Primer Design, Probe Design, LNA design, Multiplex RealTime PCR design, Nested PCR design, copy-number assay design in relation toExperience in the clinical application of PCR-based assays, inclusive of the prevention and containment of amplicon contaminantsExperience in the implementation of clinical detection systems for the generation of human genotypic data using a variety of techniques (Luminex Lab developed tests, Real-Time lab developed tests)Experience in the implementation of clinical assays for the evaluation of the presence/absence and quantification of molecular markers (RealTime and Digital Droplet PCR or equivalent). 2 – 5 years of Implementation of High-throughput Clinical Molecular Assays experiencePractical experience in isolation of nucleic acids from small-volume (3 µL) dried blood spots or other similar human specimens. Expertise in high-throughput processing of clinical specimensExperience with robotics applications for high-throughput processing of clinical specimens1 – 3 years of experience with specialized assays such as sequencing or human identity testing1 – 3 years of experience in database and spreadsheet applications for quality monitoringMust satisfy CLIA requirements for high complexity testingExperience with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the clinical laboratoryGood communication and organizational skills, with focus on detail and orderlinessAbility to perform laboratory procedures independently once trained, with great care and attentionStrong interpersonal skillsExperience with productivity software (Excel, Word, Access)Flexibility in work schedule as required by laboratory section (i.e., weekend and holiday rotations).

PREFERRED WORK EXPERIENCE

ExperienceExperience with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of emerging technologic analysesExperience in the development of PCR-based assays, inclusive of the prevention and containment of amplicon contaminantsExperience in the development of clinical detection systems for the generation of human genotypic data using a variety of techniques (Luminex Lab developed tests, Real-Time lab developed tests)Experience in the development of clinical assays for the evaluation of the presence/absence and quantification of molecular markers (RealTime and Digital Droplet PCR or equivalent). Experience with Sanger sequencing and related informatics