Manager, Laboratory Operations

GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is focused on alleviating the global burden of cancer by developing pioneering technology to detect and identify multiple deadly cancer types early. The company is using the power of next-generation sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop its multi-cancer early detection blood test. GRAIL is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies. For more information, please visit www.grail.com.

GRAIL is seeking a Manager to lead the Core Laboratory team, who will be primarily responsible for supporting troubleshooting of Lab Operations and ensuring the efficient execution of GRAIL assays, R&D activities, and Pharma partnerships. The candidate will be leading the development and growth of the Core Laboratory team, including staffing and training on a variety of evolving GRAIL assays and workflows. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, dynamic team player with deep experience in executing and troubleshooting both automated and manual NGS assay execution, preferably in a regulated environment. The candidate is expected to partner with many functions of our organization, including Automation, Product Development, LIMS, Quality, Supply Chain, Biosample Operations, and the Clinical Lab, to forecast upcoming activities, delegate work to direct reports, and play an instrumental role in the implementation and operation of the Core Laboratory.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the forecasting and execution of experiments with various stakeholders including R&D, Biosample Operations, and Supply Chain
• Become an expert on current production assays and legacy manual workflows
• Troubleshoot and optimize manual and automated assays and test methods
• Lead a team of research associates in planning, preparation, execution, and documentation of experiments for troubleshooting and execution of various NGS workflows
• Provide technical leadership to project team members performing work per GLP and ensure proper record keeping
• Actively participate and engage in the development and implementation of new assays and technologies in collaboration with R&D
• Ensure laboratory activities are performed in compliance with procedures and safety guidelines when handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous or bio-hazardous materials

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology or related field, an advanced degree strongly preferred
• 4+ years of experience in Next Generation Sequencing assays and workflows
• 2+ years of direct management experience having hired, trained, and led high performing teams in a fast-paced production-like environment
• Demonstrated success in technical leadership, problem-solving creativity, and collaboration with others.
• Experience in IVD or assay development in a regulated environment is desired.
• Experience with Automated sample preparation workflows
• Proficient with basic molecular biology laboratory techniques (e.g. pipetting, SPRI, PCR, qPCR)
• Familiarity with nucleic acids extraction techniques and quantification devices (e.g., Nanodrop, Bioanalyzer, Fragment Analyzer, ddPCR)
• Experience product transfer and verification in an ISO or FDA-regulated environment desired.
• Practical knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing sample preparation workflows and applications preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and willingness to collaborate cross-functionally across Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Development teams.
• Self-directed, innovative, and creative thinker
• General computer skills and proficiency in GSuite

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

GRAIL, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("GRAIL") does not accept any liability for fees for resumes from recruiters or employment agencies ("Agency"), without a binding, written recruitment agreement between GRAIL and Agency describing the services and specific job openings ("Agreement"). GRAIL may consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the Agency, unless an Agreement is in place. Any email or verbal contacts with any person within GRAIL is inadequate to create a binding agreement. Agencies without an Agreement are requested not to contact any hiring managers of GRAIL with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Agencies interested in partnering with GRAIL may contact GRAIL's HR Department through our Customer Service team .