Research Associate (Molecular Biology)

Overview

Our R&D team within Molecular Solutions at Diversigen creates innovative service solutions to improve health and wellness by providing access to accurate, essential health information. The Research Associate supports microbiome-related R&D activities including designing and executing experiments both independently and under the direction of Diversigen scientists. The Research Associate is essential to our organization, supporting our work in the laboratory to help execute projects and services to design new products and/or technologies. This role requires strong experimental skills, diligent documentation, strong communication skills, and a collaborative attitude.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Independently execute clearly laid out experimental plans or documentation processes and provide impactful feedback/suggestions.
• Independently perform a wide range of project tasks, experimental tasks, and skills
• Analyze, interpret and summarize experimental results with supervision from Diversigen Scientists.
• Independently contribute to the defined project(s) and/or a series of project tasks across multiple research topics and projects. Communicating project status information to supervisor and peers.
• Ensure that experimental design and timelines meet project expectations.
• Ensure the timely and accurate maintenance of records in adherence to company standards using the Diversigen LIMS, electronic lab notebook, and other tools.
• Assist in regulatory filings, scientific papers, summaries, reports, presentations, patents, and/or ideas/conclusions from one's own experimental results to drive knowledge and insights.
• Work collaboratively within a team supporting research and development.
• Support orientation and training of new staff, with direction from Diversigen Scientists.
• Work independently in a safe, secure, and productive fashion.
• Proactively identifying issues to ensure quality.
• Contributing to ongoing process improvement in operations workflows.
• Managing time effectively to execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Presenting results in formal and informal settings.
• Supporting customer interactions to manage client-focused R&D projects.
• Other duties deemed appropriate to a Research Associate.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree/diploma in biology (or a related degree) with 3 years of industrial or academic laboratory experience, or 1 year of industrial or academic laboratory experience after the completion of a Masters degree or direct entry after the completion of a Ph.D.
• Patience, flexibility to multitask, and the ability to work in an environment with dynamic priorities.
• Strong communication skills, attention to detail when following directions, and ability to work effectively on a team.
• Hands-on experience with next-generation short-read sequencing technologies is required.
• Demonstrated independent proficiency in the wet lab including PCR, qPCR, and DNA and RNA extraction from microbial sources and library preparation for sequencing.
• Experience in the microbiome field is preferred.
• Experience with method development and validation is preferred.
• Experience with lab automation technologies is preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a creative, science-driven, and innovative team
• Strong capabilities with MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Diversigen is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all. All employment decisions, policies, and practices are in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws.