Senior Research Associate - MSAT

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. GRAIL, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN). For more information, please visit www.grail.com.

GRAIL is seeking an Associate II for the Manufacturing Sciences and Technology team (MSAT) in Menlo Park, who will be primarily responsible for manufacturing reagents and associated tasks to support GRAIL’s Clinical and R&D laboratory workflows. The ideal candidate is a meticulous, outstanding teammate with hands-on laboratory experience. The candidate will be encouraged to partner with many functions of our organization - Automation, Product Development, LIMS, Quality, and Clinical Lab - to identify systems limitations, implement process improvements, write documentation, and be instrumental in the day to day operations of the GRAIL laboratories.
You will:

• Execute on high complexity manufacturing and testing of in-house prepared and externally acquired reagents
• Complete forecasted R&D and Clinical Lab experiments ranging from reagent evaluation and qualification to general data generation activities
• Execute on automated and manual sample preparation and NGS assays
• Be responsible for accurately recording work performed per GLP
• Support root cause analysis for materials failing QC
• Become a specialist in the materials used in the current production assays
• Ensure laboratory activities are performed in compliance with procedures and safety guidelines when handling, storing and disposing of hazardous or bio-hazardous materials

Your qualifications and background will include:

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or relevant fields with a minimum of 5 years of work experience in an industry setting
• Previous experience as a hands-on Research Associate in Process Development, Process Engineer, or related occupation in Assay Integration with automated liquid handlers
• Experience with troubleshooting of NGS assay protocols including library preparation, target enrichment, sequencing with automated liquid handler is a plus
• Experience with the development and implementation of clinical laboratory tests under CAP/CLIA or FDA/regulated environments
• Experience with statistical programming or software (e.g, R, JMP) is a plus
• Attention to detail, safety, good laboratory practice, and good documentation practice
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and willingness to collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Previous experience as a hands-on Research Associate in Process Development, Process Engineer, or related occupation in Assay Integration with automated liquid handlers

GRAIL is an Equal Employment Office and Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We will reasonably accommodate all individuals with disabilities so that they can participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Following extensive monitoring, research, consideration of business implications, and advice from internal and external experts, GRAIL has made the decision to require all U.S. employees receive the COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment. “Full vaccination” is defined as two weeks after both doses of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks since a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.