Senior Scientist, Technical Operations - #2591

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 a Senior Scientist in Technical Operations at Menlo Park facility. The ideal candidate is a team player with hands-on laboratory experience and a willingness to teach others. The candidate will be encouraged to think outside of the box and creatively solve problems while executing NGS-based workflows. They will work collaboratively across many functions of the organization and execute experiments both individually and as a team. The candidate will be instrumental in implementing process improvements, writing documentation, and carrying out day-to-day operations within GRAIL laboratories.
You will:

• Primarily focus on troubleshooting and investigating issues with assay and material performance while supporting one or more of the following areas: Design/Material Qualification/Process Development/Improvement/Transfer
• Independently design and conduct experiments to support several automated and manual NGS-based assays
• Lead or contribute to investigation teams in troubleshooting and root cause analysis across operational functions and workflows
• Contribute expertise and knowledge to process/product improvement and optimization projects
• Plan and record studies and investigations performed and recorded in line with regulatory requirements (CAP/CLIA/FDA) Act and present as the Technical Operations SME for materials, specifications, and processes related to current production and development assays
• Perform bench work as needed

Your background Should Include:

• Minimum of B.Sc./M.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 5+ years of related experience
• 2+ years of experience in Next Generation Sequencing assays and workflows
• Experience with Automated sample preparation or NGS workflows
• Experience troubleshooting NGS materials or processes, including extraction, library preparation, and enrichment through sequencing
• Data analysis using tools such as JMP, or proficiency with R or Python
• Experience working in a regulated environment under CAP/CLIA and/or FDA, including documentation, change management/control, and non-conformance programs
• Effective written and verbal communication skills (fluency in English), as well as strong interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Working knowledge and expertise in clinical diagnostics, medical devices, or equivalent
• Technical leadership, self-direction, and willingness to both teach others and learn new techniques is highly desirable
• Good planning, prioritization, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in GSuite, Jira, and/or Confluence

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, consideration of business implications, and advice from internal and external experts, GRAIL US has made the decision to require that all U.S. employees be “Fully Vaccinated” with the COVID-19 vaccine. “Fully Vaccinated” is defined as two weeks after both doses of a two-dose vaccine (e.g. Pfizer or Moderna) or two weeks since a single-dose vaccine (e.g. Johnson & Johnson) has been administered. Absent a qualifying exemption, all GRAIL US employees are to comply with this requirement, including providing documentation of such vaccination status, as a condition of employment. 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 for consideration by GRAIL.