Associate Principal Scientist, Laboratory Automation Engineer

Job Description

Job Description: Associate Principal Scientist Laboratory Automation Engineer in Digital Technologies Lab Automation

Location: Rahway NJ

Digital is the multiplier that will allow Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) to deliver better experiments faster efficient filing and launch more robust supply chains and higher-confidence decisions across the portfolio.

The DSCS Digital Technologies organization is responsible for the invention and application of new data-rich tools to support scientists across process development drug product development and analytical development within DSCS at our company. We aspire to embed data-intense technologies into the fabric of DSCS culture. The tools that we develop are as diverse as the team developing them and in this Associate Principal Scientist role the chosen candidate will leverage their laboratory robotics and automation skills to enable our development efforts across our companys small molecule biologics and vaccines portfolio.

In this role we are seeking a motivated Laboratory Automation Engineer located in Rahway NJ as part of Digital Technologies Lab Automation. The candidate will focus on designing implementing and optimizing automated laboratory systems to accelerate development timelines while ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

This role will work collaboratively with drug product drug substance analytical automation scientists/engineers and cross-functional teams to build innovative capabilities in laboratory automation. The candidate will contribute toward operational excellence of existing automation platforms while also developing next-generation automated solutions to support current and future DSCS development initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Design develop optimize and operate robotic liquid handlers robotic workcells and other automation platforms for biopharmaceutical research applications which can span liquid handling software development and potentially include device integration and/or hardware design and implementation

• Work alongside research scientists to understand their experimental needs and translate them into automated solutions deployed across programs and modalities

• Create lab automation solutions integrating mechanical electrical and software components for specialized research applications

• Collaborate with teams of scientists in automation data science modeling and other physical and digital automation disciplines

• Effectively manage complex automation projects from conception through completion with diverse stakeholders

• Innovate existing automated workflows and platforms to achieve improved performance accessibility maintainability and reliability

• Integrate robotic systems with existing laboratory equipment and data capture systems.

• Provide technical support troubleshooting and training to laboratory personnel

• Maintain detailed documentation of system configurations procedures and modifications

Education Minimum Requirement:

• A Ph.D. in Engineering Robotics Mechatronics Chemistry Physics Biology Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 3 years of relevant experience

• A M.S. in Engineering Robotics Mechatronics Chemistry Physics Biology Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience

• A B.S. in in Engineering Robotics Mechatronics Chemistry Physics Biology Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 7 years of relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in a lab-based setting working with lab automation and equipment integration

• Proficient in designing validating optimizing and operating robotic liquid handlers robotic workcells and other automation platforms

• Experience with scripting/programming in one or more of the following: Python C# VBA JavaScript R following accepted best practices (version control design patterns clean code)

• Experience with one or more commercial lab automation platforms specifically front-end software such as: Tecan Biomek Formulatrix or Hamilton liquid handlers

• Experience in integrating laboratory instruments with custom or commercial software solutions

• Understanding of (bio)pharmaceutical process research and development drug product development and/ or analytical development

• Demonstrated ability to work in an entrepreneurial and independent manner while being a team player

• Collaboration and communication skills with the ability to navigate conversations with technicians and vendors

• Experience leading technical projects with cross-functional teams

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with Benchling Signals or other commercial laboratory notebook software

• Experience with ThermoFisher Momentum Biosero Green Button Go or HighRes Cellario robotic scheduling software

• Deep knowledge about laboratory automation software firmware hardware and their integration into end-to-end solutions

• Ability to recognize prototype and deploy innovative technologies in laboratory automation

• Understanding of data science and AI/ML concepts and their application to laboratory automation

• Wet lab experience in (bio)pharmaceutical drug substance drug product and analytical research and development

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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Effective September 5 2023 employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week Monday - Thursday although the specific days may vary by site or organization with Friday designated as a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require an on-site Hybrid work model does not apply to and daily in-person attendance is required for field-based positions; facility-based manufacturing-based or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.

The salary range for this role is

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills geographic location government requirements and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical dental vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits including 401(k) paid holidays vacation and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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