Principal Scientist, Flow Cytometry

Precision Medicine Group, LLC.; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Precision Medicine Group, LLC. in Frederick, MD is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead immunophenotyping efforts and cell-based assay development for translational medicine projects for global biopharmaceutical clients.

The role focuses on design, validation, and reporting of high content flow cytometry assays, ELISpot/Fluorospot, and other immunology assays, with training of junior staff and direct client communication.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life sciences with immunology focus.
• Minimum 8 years of full-time post-doctoral lab experience.
• Hands-on flow cytometry and cell-based assay experience.
• Experience with CAP/CLIA/GLP or ISO guidelines.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Mentor Flow Laboratory team members and set lab priorities.
• Design and implement cell-based assays to meet client needs.
• Write SOPs and perform validated assays.
• Generate technical reports and client communications.
• Train staff and supervise training to ensure compliance.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Cell-based assays

ELISpot

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in life sciences

Tools

Flow cytometer

ELISpot platform

Laboratory SOPs

Job description

Location: Frederick, MD, USA
Category:
Division: Precision for Medicine
Business Unit: Translational Sciences
Requisition Number: 7194

Position Summary

The Principal Scientist will be instrumental in helping Precision achieve its goals of delivering exceptional services to Precision’s diverse, innovative and global biopharmaceutical clients. Working closely with the Senior Vice President, Lab Operations they will help implement the strategic scientific plan to support translational medicine research, primarily, but not solely, in the Immuno-Oncology and autoimmune/inflammatory space. Key components will be focused on, design and development of innovative qualified and validated immunophenotyping (including high content flow cytometry assays up to 31 markers, receptor occupancy assays, tetramer/dextramer assays as well as immunophenotyping flow based assays), and antigen specific (ELISpot/Fluorospot) or other custom cell based assays. The successful candidate will assist and be a resource for senior team members to design experimental plans and timelines, that match client specifications/requirements. They should and be able to communicate the plan and progress to the client, along with executing and reporting the work according to agreed timelines and under the appropriate regulations (GLP, CAP, CLIA etc.). A significant aspect of this job is the training and mentoring of more junior scientists and team members in bioservices both in laboratory techniques and in the analysis and presentation of data. The role will provide technical expertise to the laboratory as needed, as well as the expectation is that a large part of training is provided “hands on”.

Essential functions of the job include but are not limited to:

• Provide mentoring, coaching and training to Flow Laboratory team members, assist in setting priorities for lab work in collaboration with other team leaders
• Motivate team, share knowledge on FACS, participate in recruitment process and revenue forecasting
• Design and implement cell-based assays to meet client requirements; may include complex flow immunophenotyping assays, primary cell based assays.
• Write and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to perform assays to meet client requirements and the level of regulatory compliance needed
• Utilize current SOPs to perform cell assays such as flow immunophenotyping, ELISpot, and other custom cell based assays.
• Generate technical reports and other communications required to present data to clients
• Write posters and papers for submission to conference organizers and peer reviewed journals
• Write reviews and white papers
• On occasion, review and edit client proposals, contract/proposals as appropriate.
• Train scientific staff in the review and presentation of data; including client reports, posters and papers for peer reviewed journals
• Train technical staff how to perform laboratory procedures. Devise and perform validation schema to ensure staff are superbly trained and competent. Maintain and support safe lab practices and environment
• Track and trend laboratory efficiency and quality
• Perform duties with high degree of independence, quality, and efficiency
• Act as internal expert on technical advances and industry trends to anticipate and act as a thought leader to management on all matters of major importance, initiate and/or recommend appropriate courses of action and identify those matters requiring policy interpretation or revision

Promote the company to local, regional, national, and international constituencies through networking, speaking engagements, activity in professional associations and publications

Qualifications

• Must have a Ph.D. in life sciences or relevant field (preferably Immunology, Cellular Biology)
• At least 8 years of full-time post-doctoral laboratory experience

Other Required:

• Strong bench scientist skills around cell based assays. Hands on flow cytometry experience is required. Preferably with experience in ELISpot and other cell based assays. Core competencies of standard biology laboratory experience e.g. cell isolation, and primary cell based assays.
• Experience with cell sorting, trouble-shooting and client relationships, alliance partnerships and timelines
• Experience in validation/qualification of assays to CAP/CLIA/GLP or ISO guidelines
• Strong organizational skills
• Experienced technical report generation
• The ability to see and differentiate between colors on the full color spectrum
• Ability to lift and carry between 1-15 lbs.; Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. overhead with assistance; frequently required to sit, grasp, and use right/left finger dexterity; May be exposed to a cold freezer environment (Freezer temperatures range between -20ºC -196ºC)
• Must be able to read, write, speak fluently and comprehend the English language

Preferred:

• 10-15+ years’ experience as CORE lab member with leadership role as direct manager to flow cytometry team
• Industrial experience and/or management of outside collaborations is desirable
• Experience with viral infections; cell culture and cell line derivation; nucleic acid (RNA & DNA) extraction from primary human samples; nucleic acid characterization by spectrophotometer, Agilent, and fluorescence-based detection

Precision is required by law in some states or cities to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Precision, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. This role is also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, health insurance, retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, and paid time off for sick leave and vacation, among other benefits.

Reasonable estimate of the current range

$110,700— $166,100 USD