Sr. Scientist, Assay Development

Position Overview

The Senior Scientist is responsible for studies to support the development of applications and products built on the company’s technology platforms. The Senior Scientist is a key role on the team, performing preparative and analytical protein chemistry work using antibodies and other proteins. This hands-on position provides the opportunity to contribute to development of an innovative diagnostic platform as part of our new company. The individual in this role will efficiently design and execute experiments, perform appropriate statistical data analyses, and regularly communicate results and observations effectively in presentations to inter-disciplinary teams. The individual must be a detail-oriented, innovative teammate with a solid understanding of immunochemistry and protein biochemistry, and have prior hands-on experience working with antibodies and common biochemical techniques. The Senior Scientist must have excellent cross-functional communication skills, a goal-oriented mentality, and a strong sense of ownership and drive to meet project goals and timelines.

Key Responsibilities

Following are the major results needed for the role.

Additional responsibilities, tasks and duties will be assigned and required as needed.

• Plan, perform, and optimize antibody conjugations, fragmentations, and purifications
• Independently design, create, and troubleshoot recombinant protein-bead constructs
• Develop insights into interaction of company technology with biological variables, leading to enhanced detection and quantification of biomarkers.
• Find creative and practical solutions to a wide range of cross-disciplinary technical challenges.
• Use analytical and statistical techniques to characterize experimental results.
• Effectively troubleshoot workflows and experiments on a proactive basis, taking ownership of results, interpretations, scope, strategy, and tactics on a project level.
• Maintain a clear and complete log of research results in electronic form, following quality systems requirements; organize experiments and findings into databases.
• Effectively communicate experimental findings in written and verbal formats during internal meetings.
• Partner effectively with other members of the Assay Development team as well as all other departments in support of company objectives.
• Ensure laboratory activities are performed in compliance with safety guidelines and best practices.
• Serve as mentor for other scientists/engineers and research associates in areas of expertise; may be responsible for direct reports.
• Builds consensus and gains support of key stakeholders. Coordinates across and within the organization to determine the appropriate resources and parameters to complete projects in the most efficient manner. Is a driver of change and decision-making within the department; contributions are essential to the department and company's objectives. Ensures a high degree of quality in the department's work.
• Demonstrates group-wide influence and scientific/technical competence, in addition to having a strong business-sense as it relates to the needs and requirements at Xzom.
• Exercises independent judgment in creating and innovating methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Demonstrates ability to discover and identify processes, novel science and technology, which leads to increased productivity and results.
• May provide task/project leadership, guidance and mentoring of others while being equitable and respectful to everyone. Responsible for compliance with all company policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Responsible for compliance with quality procedures and all regulatory requirements.
• Consistently exhibits respect and build trust through openness, collaboration, and support of one another.
• Operates with respect, humbleness, integrity, honesty, and transparency.
• Demonstrates inclusivity, ongoing communication, and a positive outlook with both internal and external team members and customers.

May be required to travel up to 5% of the time.

Will be exposed to company confidential information which must not be divulged.

Experience, Education, and Skills Required:

Below are the minimum skills, formal education, certifications or training, and practical experience required to perform the general functions and duties of the role.

• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience and a Bachelor's and/or a minimum of 8 years and a Master's degree, and/or PhD in a scientific discipline with at least 5 years of post-PhD experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid experience in and knowledge of antibody fundamentals and pairing, including antibody fragmentation, conjugation, and purification is required.
• Working knowledge of buffers and protein solubility
• Solid working experience in a wide variety of protein purification, detection, and identification techniques (e.g.ELISAs, Western Blots, chromatography, immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, enzyme assays).
• Understanding of protein interactions, antigen-antibody interaction kinetics
• Experience in IVD assay development is a plus.
• Expertise in the design and development of biochemical and immunoassays is required.
• Understanding of experimental design – selection of appropriate controls, variables, and conditions is required
• Self-motivated with superior organization and observation skills.
• Innovative in developing new assays or approaches to meet desired goals
• Ability to identify and resolve technical challenges
• Expertise in the application of statistical analysis and software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) to drive decision making.
• Ability to communicate research results in a clear and concise fashion.
• Ability to work in a team-based setting.
• Desire and drive to work in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Demonstrates advanced scientific/technical expertise and implementing innovative solutions. Regularly collaborates with others and provides independent thought and strategy for large scope solutions. Proactively contributes to and possesses a high level of understanding of product requirements, industry needs, and patent applications. Anticipates potential complex problems in which analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation. Has a reputation as an emerging technical expert and mentor with sustained performance and accomplishments. Demonstrates an understanding of Six-Sigma principles and good laboratory practices.
• Must be able to understand job duties and responsibilities, have the necessary skills/knowledge, and be willing and able to continue learning and growing within the field.
• Must be comfortable in an early-stage company where tasks, responsibilities or duties assigned may be outside of position scope.
• Must be nimble and comfortable with rapidly changing priorities and responsibilities.
• Must be skilled at managing a significant workload and obtaining successful results, taking on additional responsibility and managing priorities as needed.
• Must be proactive and effective in achieving solutions and using data to achieve results.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to produce accurate, punctual reports/information, as required, and thoroughly share information with others. Must be able to read, write and speak effectively.
• Exceptional listening skills with the ability to seek constructive feedback, build relationships, promote teamwork, and remain flexible, humble, and open-minded.
• Capable of following realistic plans, goal setting, resource management, contingency planning, coordinating, and cooperating with others.
• Capable of working thoughtfully under pressure and in a timely manner.
• Must be comfortable and capable of performing the job within the physical requirements and conditions necessary for the role.