Laboratory Automation Scientist

Johnson & Johnson; Spring House (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson in Spring House, PA is seeking a Laboratory Automation Scientist who will bridge scientists and automated workcells, translating assay steps, sample formats, and data outputs into executable automation workflows.

You will design, configure, troubleshoot, and improve automated lab workflows, own method behavior and run readiness, and collaborate with automation engineers to ensure robust, reproducible results.

Qualifications

• Translating manual workflows into automated methods and workcell configurations.
• Configuring methods on liquid handlers and integrated workcells.
• Authoring SOPs, training materials, and troubleshooting guides.
• Troubleshooting automation performance and data quality issues.

Responsibilities

• Translate assay steps into executable automated methods and worklists.
• Configure methods on liquid handlers and workcells.
• Design deck layouts, method logic, and run readiness checks.
• Write SOPs, training materials, and troubleshooting guides.
• Support automation projects and vendor evaluations.
• Collaborate with IT/data teams on ELN/LIMS data and traceability.

Skills

Design and Deploy

Method configuration

Documentation and SOPs

Tools

ELN

LIMS

Barcode scanners

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com .

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function

R&D Electrical/Mechatronic Engineering

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description

About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

We are searching for the best talent for a Laboratory Automation Scientist to be located in Spring House, PA.

Purpose

The Laboratory Automation Scientist is the practical bridge between scientists and the automated workcell. The role translates assay steps, sample formats, reagent needs, instrument sequences, timing constraints, and data outputs into executable automated methods and worklists.

The Scientist will design, configure, troubleshoot, and improve automated laboratory workflows that convert manual discovery and analytical methods into robust, reproducible, data-rich automated processes. They will own method behavior, worklist logic, sample/consumable state, user instructions, scientific readiness, and data context for assigned workflows.

This role complements the Experienced Automation and Robotics Engineer. The scientist owns scientific workflow translation and method execution logic; the engineer owns physical feasibility, robot motion, controls handshakes, safety behavior, serviceability, and machine-side troubleshooting.

You will be responsible for

• Design and Deploy: Translating manual protein discovery, analytical, molecular, NGS, screening, biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based workflows into automated methods and workcell configurations.
• Configuring and optimizing methods on liquid handlers and integrated workcells including sealers, peelers, washers, centrifuges, incubators, readers, labelers, barcode scanners, storage systems, and analytical devices.
• Contributing to deck layouts, method logic, sample maps, reagent maps, consumable maps, plate/tube movements, worklist structures, user prompts, run controls, and run readiness checklists.
• Authoring or contributing to method descriptions, UAT protocols, SOPs, work instructions, training materials, data handoff notes, and troubleshooting guides.
• Request Driven Execution and Orchestration: Supporting translation of scientific requests into automation worklists, sample preparation steps, instrument sequences, data output expectations, and acceptance checks. Participating in defining run states, sample states, consumable states, operator prompts, allowable pauses, manual intervention points, and critical issue thresholds. Working with IT/data teams and scientists to understand ELN, LIMS, GDB, data lake, request tracking, barcode, file transfer, and reporting requirements. Supporting practical adoption by training users, capturing feedback, and improving usability without weakening scientific rigor or traceability.
• Improve and Sustain: Troubleshooting liquid handling performance, assay transfer issues, device integration, sample routing, scheduling, barcode scanning, data capture gaps, and run exceptions. Analyzing run records, failure modes, cycle times, hands-on time, sample losses, and user feedback to improve reliability, throughput, reproducibility, and data quality. Supporting investigations and corrective actions for automation-related deviations, failed runs, interrupted workflows, and inconsistent scientific outputs. Collaborating with automation engineers and vendors to distinguish method, assay, consumable, device, and physical integration root causes.
• Additional Responsibilities: Support technology evaluations, proof-of-concept studies, workflow readiness assessments, user demonstrations, and vendor evaluations for future automation capabilities. Contribute to laboratory automation standards, workflow templates, data handoff expectations, training