Molecular Biologist

Orion Group and our largest US client have an exciting contract opportunity for Research Scientists in Waukegan, IL!!! Our client is seeking individuals who have hands-on molecular biology experience with PCR-based assays and technical knowledge of high-throughput genomic profiling technologies. If this is you than look no further Apply today and take the first step towards working within a market leading pharmaceutical company!

Biologist II

$33 -$36 per hour with medical benefits available at cost.

9 month initial contract

Position will be fully onsite in North Chicago

Hours are standard first shift hours Monday through Friday

Purpose:

In 2016 we created an internal research group, the Genomics Research Center (GRC) within Discovery R&D. The GRC is a single organization that supports and drives genomics and genetics research across R&D. The GRC has core capabilities and research efforts in Genomic Technologies, Functional Genomics, Computational Genomics, Human Disease Genetics, Pharmacogenetics, and has dedicated support for IT infrastructure. The core mission of the group is to apply genomics and genetics research to target discovery, target validation, translational research, and design and analysis of clinical trials.

The GRC Genomic Technologies Group (GTECH) supports preclinical and clinical research teams by applying genomic profiling technologies with the goal of improving the success rates for drug discovery and development. We apply genomic profiling technologies to identify and validate targets and biomarkers, improve understanding of preclinical models and candidate drug molecules, select/stratify patients and understand patient responses in clinical trials. The GRC is seeking to hire a scientist proficient in Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) to support single cell and Visium spatial transcriptomic profiling capabilities. The successful candidate will work closely with NGS technical leads and be responsible for carrying out end-to-end NGS experiments and communicating results to stakeholders and collaborators. This role is expected to be on-site and in the lab full time unless otherwise approved by the supervisor.

What are the top 3-5 skills, experience or education required for this position:

1. Hands-on single cell sequencing experience
2. Hands-on spatial transcriptomics experience
3. NGS data QC experience
4. Hands-on NGS experience
5. Molecular biology/NGS technical knowledge

Key Responsibilities:

• Reporting to the Single Cell Lead, work closely with other NGS Technical Leads and staff to fulfill single cell/spatial transcriptomic profiling needs for active studies from the Genomic Research Center (GRC) stakeholders and therapeutic area (TA) scientists.
• Support single cell and spatial transcriptomic workflows. Perform sample and library prep, and sequencing, initial data QC and first pass analysis of results.
• Closely work with NGS technical leads and partner with bioinformatics specialists and disease area scientists to interpret results and troubleshooting.
• Operate and maintain NGS and its supportive platforms within centralized technology group. Prepare written summaries of experimental results and verbally present at team meetings.
• Maintain accurate documentation of experiments, protocols, and results. Support inventory and maintenance.
• Effectively communicate with stakeholders, especially around experimental design, troubleshooting, and responding to changes in priorities and adjusting timelines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education and typically 3 to 5 years of experience, Master's Degree or equivalent education and typically 2 years of experience in molecular biology, genetics, genomics or a related field
• Demonstrated record of high-proficiency, hands-on molecular biology experience with PCR-based assays and technical knowledge of high-throughput genomic profiling technologies with emphasis on Illumina sequencing platforms and complex library preparation workflows for bulkRNA-seq, 10X Genomics scRNA-seq, and 10X Genomics Visium spatial transcriptomics
• Knowledge of QC metrics, interpretation, and demonstrated use of approaches for assessing the quality of samples and libraries for bulkRNA, scRNA, and spatial profiling, such as capillary electrophoresis, qPCR, fluorometry, spectrophotometry, cell counting and viability
• Proficiency with basic bioinformatics tools and sequencing data analysis concepts, such as Illumina SAV, bcl2fastq/BCLConvert, fastQC, and working in a UNIX HPC environment. Experience with 10X Genomics Cellranger and/or Spaceranger software is highly preferred.
• Experience being part of a centralized high-throughput genomic lab is highly desirable. Industry experience is preferred but willing to consider individuals with equivalent years of experience in academic or non-industry research core lab settings.
• High attention to detail, self-motivated, critical thinking, strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proven direct end-to-end hands-on experience with 10X Genomics technologies such as single-cell RNAseq or Visium is highly preferred.

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.