Associate Scientist, Molecular Biology and Assay Development - Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions, LLC

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins works with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate.

Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in agroscience Contract Research Organisation services. Eurofins is one of the market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies, as well as having an emerging global presence in Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.

In over just 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 55,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of 900 laboratories in over 50 countries. Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products.

In 2020, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR € 5.4 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.

Become your most extraordinary self!  Our team is intensely proud to be a major provider of services and products to the drug discovery research industry.  Join Eurofins Panlabs, part of the Eurofins Discovery ™ group of companies serving  serving global clients in the Pharma and Biotech industries.  Work alongside industry experts and collaborate with team members to directly and positively impact human health worldwide!

We have a philosophy to support work life balance, career progression opportunities and offer many benefits such as formal mentoring programs, tuition reimbursement, extensive career training programs, competitive health benefits, paid time off and 10 annual paid holidays.

The Associate Scientist, Molecular Biology and Assay Development, is an integral member of the Eurofins DiscoverX R&D Department. They will support all departmental molecular biology and cell line development activities by executing molecular cloning of expression vectors, characterization / validation of cell lines and gene delivery to cells using viral and other methods. They will also participate in generating cell lines and/or running cell-based assays using various technologies, including Eurofins DiscoverX’s Enzyme Fragment Complementation (EFC).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively maintain the Eurofins DiscoverX plasmid collection including fulfilling requests for plasmids and generating additional quantities of plasmids by performing DNA preps (in-house or via out-sourcing).
• Design and generate mammalian expression constructs: identify the correct gene sequence (according to the workplan); optimize the DNA sequence (codon usage) and confirm in-frame fusion with tags (if applicable).
• Use bioinformatics tools (including SnapGene, NCBI databases, etc) for executing and confirming cloning projects.
• Routinely submit samples to, and evaluate data returned by, our external DNA sequencing partner
• Perform PCR on genomic DNA from cell lines to confirm stable integration of genes and quantitative PCR to confirm gene expression.
• Perform RNA extraction and quantify gene expression by qRT-PCR.
• Generate Biosafety Documentation.
• Perform routine cell culture, as well as stable pool and clone development of engineered cells.
• Perform characterization of engineered cell lines using molecular, biochemical, and cell biology techniques, including flow cytometry, qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence or other functional readouts.
• Perform cell-based assays using established Eurofins DiscoverX assays to test activity of client molecules and report results to manager in appropriate format(s).
• Accurately prepares and presents experimental data at regular group meetings.
• Works diligently to meet product development goals set by management team.
• Provides support functions to the R&D team such as ordering and maintenance of reagents/supplies/equipment, maintaining accurate notes and records, and effective communication.
• Performs all duties in compliance with all company procedures and regulations.
• Ability to multitask and communicate effectively to ensure orderly completion and transfer of plasmids to downstream assay development projects.
• Maintains good documentation of cloning and laboratory work using various internal databases and electronic lab notebook.

Basic Qualifications: 

• B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology or related discipline.
• Minimum of 1-3 years as a molecular biology contributor 
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience of basic methods for molecular biology (restriction enzymes, subcloning, agarose gels, analysis of DNA sequencing, minipreps, PCR)
• Experience using bioinformatics tools (including SnapGene and NCBI databases etc) for executing and confirming cloning projects.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture (preferably with both adherent and suspension cells)
• Authorization to work in the US with any employer, indefinitely, without sponsorship.
• Successful applicants will be required to confirm positive COVID-19 vaccination status or demonstrate eligibility for medical or religious exemptions prior to commencing employment

The Ideal Candidate would posses: 

• Ability to perform experiments and analyze resulting data, with minimal guidance from supervisor.  Shows some ability to troubleshoot existing protocols.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment is important.
• Experience planning and troubleshooting subcloning projects is preferred.
• Experience in quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) is desirable.
• Industry experience is preferred.
• Skills in any or all of the following are desirable: Western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy and Flow cytometry.

Candidates within a commutable distance to Fremont, CA are encouraged to apply.

This position pays in the range of $85k - $95k per year commensurate with education and experience. 

• Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays