FSP - Scientist - Research Associate

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

ONSITE:

This is a fully onsite role based at our customer’s site in Dixon, CA. 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. 

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.

Thermo Fisher's clinical research business is a leading global contract research organization and world leader in serving science. We are passionate, deliberate, and driven by our mission – to enable our customers to make the world healthier, safer, and cleaner.

Our Laboratories Functional Service Partnership (FSP) team plays a direct role in advancing drug development by creating sustained groups of talent within our customers’ organizations to provide long-term support. Through this collaborative approach, our professionals bring their commitment to excellence, industry knowledge, and operational strength directly into customer environments, helping to enhance capabilities and advance the delivery of life-changing therapies.

Our Client seeks a motivated, technically advanced laboratory researcher to assist in the discovery of groundbreaking therapeutics by supporting the primary research of several hundred internal customers. The responsibilities include manual and high throughput sample processing r via laboratory robotics, performing complex quality control of genetic data, and evaluating/implementing new technologies to maintain departmental excellence.

Key responsibilities:

The ideal candidate will act as a technical lead for next-generation sequencing platforms and as a primary point of contact for complex genotyping projects. You must possess a strong desire to participate in research support efforts and feel comfortable working primarily in a laboratory setting.

• NGS & Nanopore Expertise: Serve as a primary expert for end-to-end Next-Generation Sequencing workflows, including independent operation and high-level troubleshooting of Illumina (MiSeq, iSeq) and Oxford Nanopore systems.
• Automation & Digital Integration: Perform daily operation and maintenance of laboratory robotics, including Beckman Biomek (FXp, i5, NXp) and ECHO 525 platforms.
• Computational Optimization: Utilize Python coding to develop and maintain custom applications that automate data analysis, manage plate coordinates, and eliminate manual lab bottlenecks.
• Assay Design & Verification: Independently design, optimize, and validate PCR/qPCR assays for complex mammalian genetic constructs, including Cre-Lox conditional knock-out and CRISPR-edited lines.
• Operational Troubleshooting: Take full ownership of laboratory instrumentation, coordinating directly with vendors to resolve technical findings and perform equipment maintenance.
• Data Stewardship: Maintain a detailed Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) and utilize LIMS to manage troubleshooting samples, assays and instrument testing.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in lab sciences such as Biotechnology, Microbiology, or a related biological science.
• Scientist: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2+ years’)
• OR Masters degree

In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Molecular Biology: Advanced understanding of PCR, quantitative/real-time PCR (TaqMan; 5’ nuclease assay), and other nucleic acid detection techniques.
• More than three years of hands-on experience with Illumina next-generation sequencing platforms (workflow, library prep, sequence analysis)
• Genome Engineering: Functional knowledge regarding routine and complex mammalian genetic constructs resulting from genome engineering, such as conditional knock-out models and CRISPR-mediated modifications.
• Data Science: Proficiency in Python programming language for streamlining data-heavy laboratory workflows and sequence analysis, demonstrated by the development of at least one laboratory application
• Instrumentation: Hands-on experience with high-throughput liquid handlers and advanced electrophoresis instruments for DNA/RNA quality control.
• Communication: Ability to present experimental results, proposed workflow improvements, and literature searches to large groups of internal stakeholders.
• A high degree of independence while a strong team player

Working Environment:

• Below is listed the working environment/requirements for this role:
• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary and/or standing for typical working hours.
• Able to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds
• Able to work in non-traditional work environments.
• Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with
• proficiency.
• May have exposure to potentially hazardous elements, including infectious agents, typically found in healthcare or laboratory environments.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.

Benefits

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $35.00–$43.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount