Automation Applications Scientist - Watchmaker Genomics

Position: Automation Applications Scientist

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Location: Boulder, CO (onsite)

Department: Scientific Support

Experience: BSc +5 years; MS+3 years; PhD+0-2 years industry experience with NGS Automation

Position Summary

Watchmaker is inviting applications for the full-time position of Automation Applications Scientist. This position reports to the Field and Automation Program Manager and will be an onsite position at our Boulder location. 

This position will be mainly responsible for developing, optimizing, implementing and supporting the automation of WMG’s NGS product portfolio on a variety of Automated Liquid Handling platforms. This position will also be responsible for designing and executing high throughput experiments leveraging our automation platforms to support both on-market products and NPD projects within our NGS product portfolio. Secondary responsibilities will include pre- and post-sales technical and scientific support assisting customers as needed with product training, design of experiments, data analysis and troubleshooting. Pre-sales activities may include presenting technical content to new or current customers, attending and/or presenting at conferences and assisting with various marketing activities including collateral generation. 

This position has the potential for travel, up to 30%, to customer sites and/or relevant conferences (mostly US, potential for global). Prior experience with developing automated workflows for NGS or other molecular biology assays is required. Experience across a variety of automated liquid handling platforms is desirable and specific expertise on the Hamilton STAR platforms is preferred. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, proactive, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced working environment contributing directly to our company culture and success.

This position will provide an opportunity to grow and develop, helping to define what it means to deliver exceptional customer technical support. This position is expected to maintain knowledge of current and new automated liquid handling instruments and programming frameworks, competitor products and automation support offerings, and identify and escalate changes in the market dynamics. This position is also accountable for providing customer feedback on WMG products, in addition to identifying unmet customer needs that will enable the development of new and innovative products.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize and implement automated workflows for WMG’s products on popular third party Automated Liquid Handling platforms including but not limited to:
• Agilent: Bravo A, Bravo B
• Beckman Coulter: Biomek i7, Biomek i5, Biomek FXp
• Hamilton: STAR, STARlet, VANTAGE
• PerkinElmer: Sciclone G3 NGSx, Sciclone G3 NGSx iQ,  Zephyr, Janus, Fontus
• Tecan: Fluent, EVO
• Eppendorf: epMotion 5075t, epMotion 5073
• Opentrons: FLEX
• Design and execute high and low throughput NGS library prep experiments both automated and manually
• Accurately document details of all experiments; meticulously collate, analyze and interpret data; and regularly present results
• Train Automation FASs on newly developed automated workflows for WMG’s products
• Provide automation-related technical expertise to customers, vendor partners, sales, and internal cross-functional teams
• Maintain customer-facing documentation and contribute to knowledgebase using our CRM (salesforce)
• Create customer-facing materials highlighting WMG’s automated solutions
• Contribute to creation of marketing materials including poster submissions, technical presentations, application notes, white papers etc. 
• Build and maintain relationships with key automation vendors, communicating relevant customer information, collaborating on designing new automation solutions for WMG workflows and creating marketing collateral to promote our partnerships
• Provide scientific support for pre- and post-sales activities in the form of emails, teleconferences, phone calls, and (limited) travel to customer sites
• Some travel (<30% time) to attend meetings with key customers, develop/implement automated solutions, provide training and troubleshooting, and participate in trade shows/conferences
• Provide expert understanding and strong technical competency in discussing WMG’s capabilities and product offering with customers, distributors and sales
• Provide feedback to Product Management on customer/automation requirements for new applications or products
• Keep informed of competitive market information at industry seminars, trade shows, and conferences and report on trends to Sales and Product Management
• Stay knowledgeable on current and new automated liquid handling instruments
• Additional duties as required within the remit and responsibilities of the role

Required Qualifications and Experience

The candidate should have a BSc degree with 5+ years experience in relevant industry. Experience automating NGS workflows is required.

Educated to BSc in the field of life science subjects (Genetics, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology) or a related discipline, with at least five years of relevant experience developing automated solutions for next-generation sequencing (NGS) experiments and/or other advanced genomics applications. Relevant experience includes working in high-throughput sequencing labs developing, optimizing and implementing automated workflows on liquid handling robotics or working for an automation vendor focused on automating molecular biology or sequencing based assays. Experience across multiple liquid handling platforms is a plus.

The following skills and experience are requirements for the position:

• BSc in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related field
• 5+ years experience combined with NGS and developing automated methods for NGS library prep workflows. Preferred platforms include:
• Agilent: Bravo A, Bravo B
• Beckman Coulter: Biomek i7, Biomek i5, Biomek FXp, Echo
• Hamilton: STAR, STARlet, VANTAGE
• Hamilton NGS STAR, Venus & NGS framework expertise strongly preferred
• Additional experience across other Automated Liquid Handling platforms is a plus, including but not limited to:
• PerkinElmer: Sciclone G3 NGSx, Sciclone G3 iQ,  Zephyr, Janus, Fontus
• Tecan: Fluent, EVO, D300e
• Eppendorf: epMotion 5075t, epMotion 5073
• SPT Labtech: mosquito, firefly, dragonfly
• Opentrons: OT-2, FLEX
• Proficiency in computer programming languages such as HTML, Python, C/C++, etc. is a plus
• Advanced knowledge of and practical experience with experimental design, applications/assay development, NGS library preparation, PCR, qPCR, good lab practices, and troubleshooting
• High self-motivation and must have demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, multiple languages is a plus
• Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills 
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Familiarity with basic bioinformatic design and analysis algorithms is a plus

Compensation

The base compensation for the Automation Applications Scientist role is $80,000 - $110,000 + bonus + equity; actual pay will be adjusted based on skills and experience. Employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off, Holidays, employer covers 75% of base medical plan with buy-up options, EAP (employee assistance program), employer paid dental, employer paid vision, employer paid $25,000 life/AD&D policy, paid parental leave, and a 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% match.

Application Requirements 

To apply for the position, please submit the following in a PDF format on watchmakergenomics.com: 

• Letter of motivation (upload where it says cover letter)
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Relocation support available.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested.

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NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE

We are only accepting direct applications for this position. We are not working with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters will not be considered and will be deemed the property of Watchmaker Genomics.

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WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if currently eligible to work in the United States of America; and if now or in the future will require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States.

This position may be subject to pre-employment checks, including driving history check, drug screening and a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. All pre-employment checks will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.