Scientist II

Adecco US, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401K plan

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Adecco US, Inc. in Austin, TX is seeking an experienced Scientist II to join our R&D team supporting product development and analytical validation workflows.

The role focuses on nucleic acid purification from plasma, cell culture media, and FFPE samples with emphasis on method development and automation. The ideal candidate has a strong background in molecular biology, PCR/qPCR, and analytical testing in a regulated or NGS environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of laboratory experience in an academic or industry setting.
• Experience in Next Generation Sequencing environment is a plus.
• Experience in a regulated laboratory or regulated product development environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support R&D activities related to product development and validation workflows.
• Develop and verify design verification and validation test methods for kits, reagents, instruments, and workflows.
• Develop and optimize methods for nucleic acid purification from diverse samples including plasma, cell culture media, and FFPE samples.
• Use automated technologies to extract nucleic acids from various sample types.
• Modify experimental procedures to meet specific experimental requirements.
• Develop scientific hypotheses and design experiments to test them with limited guidance.
• Analyze data and clearly interpret results and conclusions.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and documentation to enable reproducibility.
• Prepare reports and present research findings in 10–30 minute technical presentations.

Skills

Pipetting accuracy

Nucleic acid purification

PCR/qPCR

Laboratory experimentation

Data analysis

Scientific communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biological Sciences

Tools

Agilent Bioanalyzer

KingFisher

QuantStudio

Ion Torrent

NanoDrop

Qubit

qPCR instruments

Job description

Scientist II

Location: Austin, TX

Pay Rate: $35.00 per hour

Schedule: Standard business schedule

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Scientist II to join an R&D team supporting product development and analytical validation workflows.

The Scientist II will apply technical knowledge and hands-on laboratory expertise to develop and validate test methods, kits, reagents, instruments, and workflows for nucleic acid purification from plasma, cell culture media, and FFPE samples .

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in molecular biology, nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, analytical testing, and laboratory experimentation. Experience in an IVD development, regulated laboratory, or Next Generation Sequencing environment is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Support R&D activities related to product development and analytical validation workflows.
• Develop design verification and validation test methods for kits, reagents, instruments, and workflows.
• Develop and optimize methods for nucleic acid purification from diverse sample types, including plasma, cell culture media, and FFPE samples .
• Use automated technologies to extract nucleic acids from a variety of sample types.
• Modify experimental procedures to meet specific experimental requirements.
• Develop scientific hypotheses and independently design experiments to test those hypotheses with limited guidance.
• Analyze experimental data and clearly interpret and communicate results and conclusions.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and documentation using sound scientific practices.
• Ensure documentation enables other scientists to reproduce experimental procedures and results.
• Prepare regular reports documenting experimental activities, results, and conclusions.
• Present research findings and conclusions during 10–30 minute technical presentations .
• Read and interpret scientific literature and reproduce published experiments when required.
• Complete required laboratory compliance and documentation activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, procedures, and workflows.
• Collaborate with R&D and cross-functional teams to meet project milestones and deliverables.

Required Laboratory Skills

Candidates should have strong hands-on laboratory and technical skills, including:

• Accurate and reproducible pipetting and laboratory procedures.
• Preparation and execution of dilution series and standard curves.
• Laboratory calculations for preparing solutions from powders and stock solutions.
• Operation of laboratory equipment such as:
• Centrifuges
• Quantitation instruments
• Agilent Bioanalyzer
• PCR instruments
• Real-time qPCR instruments
• Plate readers
• Routine experience with molecular biology procedures, including:
• Nucleic acid isolation
• Endpoint PCR
• Real-time PCR

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of molecular biology and analytical QC assays.
• Experience with both automated and manual nucleic acid isolation techniques .
• Experience with qPCR, dPCR, and/or Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) .
• Experience with Applied Biosystems instrumentation preferred, including:
• KingFisher Magnetic Particle Handlers
• QuantStudio systems
• Ion Torrent
• NanoDrop
• Qubit
• Mammalian cell culture experience is a plus.
• Experience with statistically based experimental planning and analysis.
• Knowledge of statistical power, test method development, DOE, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience using JMP for statistical analysis preferred.
• Design-focused Six Sigma experience is a plus.
• Experience working in an IVD development environment preferred.
• Experience writing and implementing quality-focused procedures.
• Experience working with BSL-2 sample types in a BSL-2 laboratory environment preferred.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biological Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific field .

Experience

• 3–5 years of laboratory experience in an academic or industry setting.
• Industry experience in a Next Generation Sequencing environment is a plus.
• Experience in a regulated laboratory or regulated product development environment is preferred.

Professional Skills & Attributes

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to clearly explain scientific findings.
• Highly collaborative and able to work effectively in a team environment.
• Flexible, adaptable, and willing to learn new technologies and procedures.
• Self-motivated, proactive, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Strong multitasking and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complete assignments within required timelines.
• Demonstrates initiative and willingness to take on new responsibilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and scientific curiosity.
• Continuously looks for opportunities to improve existing processes and workflows.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint .

Work Environment

• 100% onsite in Austin, Texas.
• This role requires regular hands-on laboratory work and adherence to applicable laboratory safety and compliance requirements.
• Candidates must be comfortable working in a laboratory environment and following required safety procedures and protocols.

Compensation

$35.00 per hour

Interview Process

Teams interviews will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Pay Details: $35.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.