Research Associate, Operations

Position Summary

Paragon Genomics is a fast-growing life sciences company developing advanced reagents and assay kits for next-generation sequencing (NGS). We are seeking a Research Associate to play an important role in the development of novel NGS target enrichment assay technologies and support current operations. This is a laboratory-based position with great career potential for a junior scientist or prospective scientist who already has or wishes to gain hands-on molecular biology experience in the next-generation sequencing space. This is a multifaceted role that can help build a strong foundation in the Biotech industry. The ideal candidate should have good interpersonal and problem-solving skills. He/she should be driven to learn and motivated to develop great products. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced and multi-disciplinary environment. This position will interact closely with customers, colleagues in manufacturing, business development, marketing, and R&D.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage oligonucleotides ordering, incoming inspection, processing, and QC.
  • Work with Technical Support to provide custom products to customers and smooth transition from Sales to MFG to Customers
  • Interface with key customer(s) to ensure timely custom panel turnaround
  • Interface with vendor and manage communication to ensure timely delivery of material
• Support Technical Support activities such as troubleshooting and verification studies
  • Perform labwork for custom product validation requests
  • Support Application Scientist in troubleshooting work
• Support R&D/Application activities such as product development projects with guidance
  • Investigations for new chemistries
  • Assay and application development and assay optimizations
  • Drafting and executing test plans for PoC studies and V&V
• Support and assist other Operations/Quality/MFG activities by
  • Packaging and kitting of products
  • Testing and validating new SOPs
  • Draft and author new SOPs
  • Perform Root Cause Analysis and complete nonconformity reports

Qualifications and Background

• Four-year degree in a relevant field (e.g. Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry)
• 1+ years of experience in NGS lab; MFG and/or QC preferred. Entry-level will be considered if the candidate shows promise as an eager, proactive, and quick learner.
• Ability to multi-task, perform under pressure and adapt to changes (e.g., priorities and timelines) and to work in a fast-paced and quickly changing environment
• Must be detail-oriented, highly organized, and highly collaborative, and have the ability to work with and coordinate with members within multidisciplinary teams.
• Meticulous attention to experimental planning, execution, and record-keeping
• Solid mathematical foundation for stoichiometry
• Familiarity with GMP and experience working within a quality management system
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities  
• Great communication and presentation skills to ensure superb customer support
• Leadership skills with a desire for career growth and advancement
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Additional Information:
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Paragon Genomics Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Please review our Job Applicant Privacy Policy for information about how your personal data is processed and stored.

About Paragon Genomics:
Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paragon Genomics is a fast-growing precision medicine company. Our patented targeted sequencing technologies CleanPlex DNA, CleanPlex RNA, and CleanPlex UMI provide comprehensive solutions to precision diagnostics in oncology, infectious disease, inherited disease, reproductive health, neurology, cardiology, and many other applications. Our technologies and products have been adopted by hundreds of prominent Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) labs globally. With our platforms, we can efficiently and rapidly produce unique and customized next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays to meet the needs of researchers, testing labs, and biopharma precision medicine projects.

The Company was selected by a distinguished panel into the California Life Science Association F.A.S.T. Program in March 2016 and was accepted into the prestigious Stanford StartX Medicine Accelerator Program in September 2016.

Paragon Genomics offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, flexible spending account, 401K, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, and stock options.