Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Cold Room/Freezers -22degreesF/-6degrees C, Laboratory Setting, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Strong Odors (chemical, lubricants, biological products etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials

Job Description

Location/Division Specific Information

Position: Senior Automation Specialist I

Location: Richmond, VA

Department: Molecular Genomics - Automation

Shift: First Shift - Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM EST

Full time, Benefits, Annual Bonus, 401k Match, and PTO

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale! Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

Our PPD® Laboratory Services team has a direct impact on improving patient health through the expertise of scientists, industry thought-leaders and therapeutic experts. As the world leader in serving science, our laboratory professionals bring their commitment to accuracy and quality to deliver groundbreaking innovations.

A day in the Life:

Independently performs program optimization and validation of complex scripts. Understands and conforms to methods, and protocols applicable to assigned tasks. Designs and executes experiments independently.Reviews and critiques automated instrumentation programs and associated documentation and other related technical documents.Communicates data, technical issues, information regarding project definitions and expectations, and discussions of project status to interested parties as neededProvides technical guidance Leads analytical (procedural and instrumentation-related) troubleshooting sessionsAssists in preparation and implementation of SOPs and quality systems.Reviews, interprets, and analyzes data for technical, quality and compliance to protocols, methods, SOPs, client criteria and Good Manufacturing Practices(GMP) or Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).Performs self and peer review of the data for accuracy and compliance with reporting requirements prior to submission to QA and issuance to customers.Evaluates available technical options to acquire desired quality of analytical results, economics, ease of introduction into a production environment, and robustness in analytical application.Communicates status of project efforts to manager.Provides leadership and mentoring to team members in order to improve their technical expertise and scientific knowledge.Implements novel approaches to method development and applications as appropriate.Provides training/orientation to production staff as needed to efficiently implement methods. Assists in startup and troubleshooting methods through the first analytical application and as needed in future projects.Complex remedial maintenance (e.g., complex hardware replacements)Performs programming and/or process mapping for fully automated workflowsImplements data integrity processes; supports instrument software validation effortsPlans and schedules preventative maintenance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification

Experience

Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 5+ years).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Direct experience with automation instrumentation required; vendor certification preferredExperience with programming (Hamilton Venus, TECAN EVOware or Fluent Control, Thermo Momentum, VB, Python, etc.) required; vendor programming certification (or equivalent) preferredProficient in Microsoft Excel and WordProven time management, troubleshooting, and critical thinking skillsProven record of working in a collaborative work environment with a teamProven understandonf of GxP requirements, SOPs, ICH guidelines, USP requirements, and FDA guidanceAbility to interpret data by performing trend analysisProven ability to train or provide mentorship to other automation staff for programming, system optimization, validation/qualification requirements, etc.Knowledge of data generation and statistical programsKnowledge of general chemistry, molecular genomics, and biomarker related concepts, workflows and technologies (as applicable)

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

Work is performed in a laboratory and/or a clinical environment with rare to daily exposure to electrical office equipment, irritants, radiation, toxic materials, biological fluids, fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures, and hazardous wastePersonal protective equipment such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves may be required at timesRepetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipmentAbility to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelfStanding, walking, and twisting of upper body/neck required constantly. Crouching/stooping required daily. Kneeling and pushing/pulling of items required frequently. Ability to work in an upright and /or stationary position for 6-8 hours per dayLight to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand and to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentencesFrequently interacts with others to acquire or relate information to diverse groupsWorks independently with little guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals.  Requires multiple periods of intense concentrationPerforms a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress. Ability to multi-task

This is a fully onsite role based at our BIOA Laboratory in Richmond, VA. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Please note that relocation assistance is not provided for this position, and any relocation costs will be the responsibility of the candidate.  

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.