Automation Engineer

Company: Exai Bio Inc
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: May 14, 2022

Job Description:

Job DescriptionWhat We are Looking ForAn experienced laboratory automation leader with a strong background in automating molecular biology workflows to help expand the capabilities of our oncRNA signature discovery platform. We are seeking a curious, enthusiastic, competent, and self-motivated individual to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to help build a successful liquid biopsy company from an early stage.What You'll DoAutomation Integration

• Drive strategy for design, investment, and implementation of automation and data integration capabilities to enable optimized end-to-end high throughput sequencing, purification and/or sample management workflows
• Program, integrate, and troubleshoot liquid handling, automated synthesis instrumentation such as Thermo, Tecan, Biomek, Hamilton and Mosquito liquid-handling systems
• Develop quality control procedures to ensure instrument calibration
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to integrate instrumentation with LIMS platformsScientific Excellence
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of analytical and automated synthesis methods, techniques, and instrumentation
  • Apply scientific knowledge to assist with scientific decision-making and application of appropriate technologies
  • Work with a cross-functional team to explore, develop, optimize, test, and implement robust, scalable, innovative extraction solutions for the High-Throughput group's workflowsProcess Optimization
    • Apply lean thinking principles to continuously assess and improve current state processes to remove non-value-added work from scientists
    • Create SOPs for efficient and effective operation and maintenance of automated equipment and analytical systems to satisfy department service level agreements
    • Develop a strategic investment plan to enable access to cutting edge automation and informatics
    • Lead troubleshooting, process documentation, user training, equipment validation, and vendor relationsCross-functional Collaboration and Enterprise Mindset
      • Interface with scientists to solve complex scientific workflows
      • Provide guidance and insight into industry best practices for automation and integration as applied to complex scientific workflows
      • Work with vendors to ensure coordination and execution of work with minimal disruption
      • Share and promote best practices on automation across the organizationProject Management
        • Coordinate installation and testing of equipment and systems with external providers, scientists, and engineers as required
        • Provide input on capital budget forecasts and future investmentsWhat You Bring to the Team
          • BS or BA in biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, applied physics, or closely related disciplines
            • 4+ years industry or academic research experience handling automated workflows.
            • High level of automation and engineering competency and technical expertise in the areas of integration, robotics, liquid handling, software, and LIMS platforms
            • Ability to think strategically and present new concepts/ideas to senior leaders and lab scientists
            • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with to ensure effective communication
            • Self-starter with ability to work independently
            • Demonstrated critical thinking and diagnostic skills.
            • Experience with software engineering best practices: code quality, testing, performance optimization, development of research tools infrastructure
            • Good engineering techniques and best practices (i.e. design control, FMEA, risk analysis, stress testing)
            • Working with vendors, including building and maintaining relationships
            • You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including all eligible booster(s), with the exception of a medical or religious exemptionPreferred:
              • Experience working in the life science industry or at a biotech company
              • Experience with liquid handling systems - Thermo, HighResBio, Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton, Brooks
              • Experience with nucleic acid processing: whole genome, RNA, targeted enrichment and single-cell technologies
              • Experience with implementing and integrating large scale and small-scale automation with internal LIMS
              • SQL/Oracle programming skills
              • Microsoft programming languages (VB, C# or equivalent) skills
              • Experience working in a regulated environment (CLIA / CAP / NYS / FDA / GCLP) and with quality management systemsWhat You'll Get as Part of Our Team
                • An inspiring working culture where our core values are more than just words on a page. We walk the talk!
                • Comprehensive Benefits: medical/dental/vision, paid time off, generous holiday schedule, equity and 401k
                • Additional Benefits: hybrid and remote work options, commuter benefits, home office subsidy and learning & development opportunitiesWho We AreExai Bio (exai.bio) is an early-stage diagnostic company with a powerful oncRNA and AI-based liquid biopsy platform. Our proprietary technology delivers unprecedented insight into cancer and disease biology from standard, non-invasive blood samples. We are the next generation of liquid biopsy! Our mission is to deliver the earliest and most accurate diagnosis of cancer. Why? Because we aspire to enable a world where cancer can be detected early, diagnosed accurately, treated in a personalized and targeted way, and ultimately cured. We know that people are our greatest asset and we are rapidly building a rock-star team of talent. Our people are driven by the mission, inspired by the vision of the future, and are committed to living our core values (integrity, openness, teamwork, exploration, and kindness) that connect us to our work and to one another.What We ValueOur core values represent what we stand for as a team. This is what we believe in. Everyday, we strive to align our behaviors to these core values in everything we do.Integrity – Our thoughts and actions are true to science and to people. We do the right thing.Openness – We recognize and respect our differences – and embrace learning from them.Teamwork – We are team players who trust and respect each other.Exploration – We are explorers, putting curiosity into action. Kindness – We are kind whenever possible – and we believe it's always possible.More About UsExai Bio was founded with technology from the UCSF laboratory of Dr. Hani Goodarzi, and consists of veteran leaders in the RNA biology, liquid biopsy, and artificial intelligence/machine learning fields from both academia (UCSF, Stanford, MIT) and industry (Bluestar, CareDx, Evidation, Google, 23andMe, Deep Genomics). We are backed by leading life sciences and tech investors, including Section 32, Casdin Capital, and Two Sigma Ventures, who have been integral to advancing cancer diagnostics and artificial intelligence/machine learning technologies in past companies like Foundation Medicine, Thrive Earlier Detection, Insitro and Recursion.We value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies or other third parties and will not pay fees associated with such resumes. Agencies, please do not send resumes to any of our locations, employees or email addresses.

Keywords: Exai Bio Inc, Palo Alto , Automation Engineer, Engineering , Palo Alto, California