Scientist I - Bioservices
Location
Alameda, CA | United States
Job description
About iQ Biosciences
iQ Biosciences is a contract research organization dedicated to providing immunology research bioservices and biospecimens, enabling preclinical research studies. We serve as a trusted partner for the biomedical community and help deliver innovative therapeutics for physicians and patients. iQ Biosciences fosters a company culture of employee inclusion, accountability, integrity, and a shared sense of team urgency, knowing that patients are waiting with critical needs.
We are entering a dynamic growth phase and are seeking a highly motivated Scientist I to join our Bioservices group. This position offers high growth potential, as the company continues to establish a strong team, and provides a great learning opportunity to encounter the different approaches that drug development companies, from start-ups to big pharma, are taking to improve human health in the immunology and the oncology therapeutic areas.
We will commence the resume review process on January 2nd following the holiday break.
Bioservices Position Description: Scientist I – Bioservices
The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the design and execution of therapeutic antibody or small molecule immunoassays and cell-based assays conducted for research, preclinical, and early drug development projects. This position requires solid knowledge of cellular immunology, immuno-oncology, therapeutics of various modalities (i.e. small molecule, biologics, cell-based (CAR-T), etc.) and associated lab skills (i.e. flow cytometry, tissue culture, cell-based assays, etc.). This is an internal and external facing position requiring attentive listening skills and the ability to clearly communicate technical observations with clients and colleagues. After an initial training period, the Scientist I must work independently, under only general supervision from senior team members, adhering to existing standards/protocols, and possessing skills sufficient for executing and interpreting assay results. In addition to handling a workload consisting of multiple client projects in various stages, it requires internal scheduling and coordination with colleagues, and potentially leading/managing of other iQ team members and communicating with clients (including emails and meetings). The candidate will also support the Cellular Products group and other teams (R&D, Business Development, etc.).
Primary Responsibilities:
- Serve as project leader: design, plan, execute, and analyze/present study data for different client projects or internal assay development/optimization (R&D).
- Handles most issues and problems, may defer the more complex issues.
- Independently manage logistics of study implementation, including ordering of required reagents, performance of in vitro experiments, data analysis, PowerPoint summaries, and client debriefs.
- Design, plan, and perform, or oversee the performance of, high throughput in vitro, ex vivo, and cell-based assays (ADCP, ADCC, ADC, CDC, direct and cross-linking induced apoptosis assays, CRAs, ELISA, AlphaLISA) related to functional characterization of therapeutics (primarily antibody-based, including other modalities as well).
- Design, plan, and perform, or oversee the performance of, complex primary cell functional assays (non-antigen specific & antigen specific recall assays, natural cytotoxicity assays, Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Assays (MLRs), etc.).
- Design, plan, perform, and analyze data from complex multi-color flow cytometry, including panel design, cell staining, data acquisition, and analysis.
- Isolate and characterize primary immune cells from murine tissues/tumors and/or human blood and cryopreservation methods.
- Ensure the review of protocols with team to enable proper study execution, verify protocol designs are properly updated before initiation, and confirm raw data has been properly processed.
- Perform or oversee the general maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment, as needed.
- Stay abreast of new developments in the field through independent literature review and attendance at scientific conferences.
- After an initial training period, lead the scientific portion of client intro calls and data debrief meetings, as well as communicate directly with clients via video-conferencing or email to coordinate studies, answer questions, and send updates and data summaries.
- Review study outlines and proposals, based on client-provided information and iQ’s internal assay processes and archival data, or draft/design study outlines or proposals, as needed.
- Prepare and present materials for scientific, business, patent, and external client meetings, as needed.
- As requested, perform landscape research, and assess the benefits and drawbacks of equipment or other lab-based needs.
- Contribute to the ideation and formalization of process flow improvements.
- Communicate with external vendors for troubleshooting of reagents and equipment and quote generation.
- Utilize project management software (Zoho) and inventory system (LIMS).
- Draft formal reports for client studies, with a high level of accuracy and detail. Create additional report templates as needed. Assist in the report revision process and review other draft reports, with a focus on accurate scientific descriptions of data and regulatory considerations.
- Participate in the recruitment, evaluation, training, goal setting, and management of new Bioservices hires.
- Coordinate and provide hands-on training for R&D team members, or Cellular Product team members.
- Conduct managerial responsibilities for direct reports, including participating in the hiring process, reviewing job descriptions, approving PTO requests and weekly timesheets, providing training and leadership/mentoring/coaching, conducting weekly working meetings and monthly one-on-ones to discuss progress, and troubleshooting employee problems and difficulties, etc.
- Ability to lead and mentor Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. level Scientists directly and in a matrix setting.
- Suggest and employ high quality strategies to troubleshoot and optimize novel assays. Must be able to troubleshoot issues based on reviewing methods & data results, as well as help others with troubleshooting various issues, such as cell culture concerns.
Auxiliary Responsibilities:
- Receive & monitor client test articles for usage.
- Package materials for shipment and arrange couriers for transport of cells/materials.
- Inventory, re-stock, order supplies, and track in accordance with quarterly/annual budgets, as needed.
- Manage and update client information related to Bioservices.
Required:
- B.S. with >10 years’ experience, M.S. with >5 years’ experience, or Ph.D. with 0-3 years' of experience in the areas of Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- Extensive experience with sterile technique, preferably mammalian cell culture.
- Previous flow cytometry experience is required. At least 1 year, preferably 3+ years of experience.
- Excellent oral presentation and communication skills.
- Attention to detail with excellent organizational and record keeping skills.
- Flexibility and a willingness to work as a member of a small team is key. Commit and contribute to a high functioning team of enthusiastic, collaborative, and supportive individuals.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with people, internally and externally.
- Proactive in all aspects of work and highly adaptive and flexible.
- Ability to manage and execute multiple projects concurrently.
- Ability to troubleshoot issues based on data, experience, and literature.
- General Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 40 pounds approximately 0 to 1 time per day/shift.
Activity: Lifting Large Shipping Boxes
Frequency: 0-1 time(s) per day
- Item Dimensions: 18”H x 12”W x 13”D
Weight: 40 lbs
Starting Height: 43”
Distance from Body: 5”
- Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds approximately 5 to 10 times per day/shift.
Activity: Lifting Liquid Nitrogen Racks
Frequency: ~5-10 times per day
- Item Dimensions: 33” H x 6” W x 6” D
Weight: 25 lbs.
Starting Grip Height: 43”
Distance from Body: 14”
- Must be able to stand and walk continuously throughout an 8-hour shift.
- Must comply with laboratory policies and procedures.
Preferred:
- 2+ years pharmaceutical/biotech research experience and familiarity with preclinical drug discovery and/or translational research.
- Technical Computer Software literacy, including GraphPad Prism, and Flow Cytometry based applications (CellQuest, FACSDiva, Forecyt, and FlowJo).
General:
- Full-time, exempt position, not subject to FLSA or California overtime regulations.
- Must be able to work Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Occasional night and/or weekend work may be required.
- This is a 100% on-site position located in Alameda, CA, with occasional travel as needed.
- Starting range $90K to $105K, based on experience. Full position range $90K to $120K.
- Medical, dental, vision, 401K with employer match (after 90 days introductory period), paid holidays, PTO, and free lunch/snacks.
Job tags
Salary
