Automation Cell Culture Biologist

- Plan and administer biological research programs 

- Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function 

- Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings 

- Work with staff to characterize genetic pathways for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) using human cell-based models. 

- Work with staff on performing large-scale iPSC cell culture experiments on liquid handling platforms. 

- Program, operate, and implement novel methods on liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Tecan). 

- Work with staff on performing various experiments and procedures related to differentiation and phenotyping of induced pluripotent stem cell lines. 

- Evaluate the stability of iPSC and iPSC-derived cells across multiple engineered and non-engineered lines. 

- Work with staff to apply published protocols for cell differentiation to IPSC lines, microscopy, and molecular analysis. 

- Work independently in designing, developing, and performing new methods 

- Work with staff to provide insight into the effects of ADRD-associated mutations on molecular readouts in cell culture. 

- Support other research projects. 

- Collect, Analyze, interpret, and organize data and present results in team and departmental meetings. 

- Keep detailed, organized, and accurate digital and physical experimental records. 

- Update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases. 

- Attend meetings and present results and findings for staff discussion. Assists with performing basic laboratory experiments and procedures 

- Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment 

- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel 

- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings 

- Coordinate the work of biological technicians and technologists and other scientists 

- Collaborate with other team members to carry out large-scale cell culture protocols using high throughput robotic systems 

- Perform standard immunological techniques, including western blotting and immunostaining. Prepares, organizes and maintains various lab samples, supplies, and equipment 

- Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers 

- Maintain laboratory equipment 

- Analyze laboratory findings 

- Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment. 

- Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot instruments and equipment in the laboratory. 

- Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, cell culture microscopies, microanalytical balances, centrifuges, automated platforms. 

- Operate, troubleshoot, and train others to use laboratory equipment and software. 

- Provide assistance to laboratory staff in designing experiments, using instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and preparing figures for publication 

- Maintain scientific equipment and resources including reagents, stocks of frozen cells, mammalian samples including acquisition, documentation, and storage Learns new laboratory techniques and procedures 

- Work independently in laboratory assay development 

- Develop new automated differentiation protocols for iPSC lines to differentiate into disease-relevant cell types like neurons, astrocytes, and microglia 

- Develop image analysis routines to analyze the effects of disease-associated mutations on cellular phenotypes

 - Clean Equipment 

- Daily - Run Validation and Inspect Equipment 

- Weekly: Meet with lab members to present updates 

- Bi-Weekly: Work products and documents related to characterizing genetic pathways for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) using human cell-based models; use IPSC lines to develop the differentiation protocols - Ad-Hoc

- Work products and documents related to evaluating the stability of differentiated cells across clines and passages to identify cell lines with desirable characteristics for subsequent cell engineering. - Ad-Hoc

- Work products and documentation to develop differentiation, microscopy, and automated cell culture protocols - Ad-Hoc 

- Work products and documentation resulting from automated cell culture phenotyping of iPSC lines. - Ad-Hoc

- Work products and documents related to providing insight into the effects of ADRD-associated mutations on molecular readouts in cell culture; conduct independent research relating to the genetics of ADRD. - Ad-Hoc

- Work products and documents related to applying published protocols for cell differentiation to IPSC lines, microscopy, and molecular analysis - Ad-Hoc

- Work products and documents related to updating and maintaining laboratory notebooks and databases; collect, analyze, and interpret data; prepare summaries and reports based on results and findings; draft and revise manuscripts for publication; attend meetings and present results and findings for staff discussion. - Ad-Hoc 

- Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) 

- Master's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline 

- Minimum of two (2) years of related experience. 

- Genetics - Neuroscience - Molecular Biology 

- Outlook 

- R 

- Seurat 

- Excel 

- Power point 

- Google Drive 

- Experience in programming/coding (VENUS, Visual Basic, C++, MATLAB, or Python programming). 

- Proficiency with automated liquid handling robots 

- Planning and optimizing experiments 

- QC Testing 

- Hands-on experience with cell culture in particular working with iPS cells. 

- Hands-on experience with operating and programming liquid handling robotics and platforms (Hamilton preferred, TECAN, Beckman, Agilent). 

- Knowledge of proper laboratory disposal methods and procedures 

- Strong communications skills, both oral and written - Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.