Senior Scientist of R&D

Position Overview:

Under administrative direction, this position is responsible for complex laboratory procedures and has broad decision-making authority, and independence. This classification requires extensive knowledge of science and laboratory procedures, specialized molecular diagnostic laboratory tests, blood test procedures, and medical terminology to perform specialized medical laboratory diagnostic tests. The Senior Scientist will be responsible for employee training and development, preparation and supervision of validation protocols and procedures and completion of validation reports and monitoring and maintaining inventory.

 

Specific Responsibilities:

 

• Responsible for performing the activities of the clinical and scientific groups of an organization’s products, projects, services and programs.
• Supervises, directs, plans, develops, implements, evaluates and oversees the execution of daily operations of the molecular diagnostic laboratory R&D projects and discovery.

• Acts as a liaison between the laboratory and management.
• Performance of complex operations within the clinical laboratory under CAP and CLIA regulations.
• Interact with other scientific groups, particularly the Lab Technical Director
• Assist in for implementation and development for clinical laboratory services.
• Conducts and collaborates with others on clinical research and development relevant to long-term objectives and concerns
• Develops strategies to ensure effective achievement of laboratory objectives.
• Uses professional concepts to contribute to the development of company concepts and principles and to achieve objectives in creative and effective ways.
• Knowledgeable in handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Preparation of scientific reports, summaries of data, and scientific presentations.
• Works on extremely complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variables.
• May Serve as General Supervisor to the CLIA/CAP lab (see General Supervisor job description).
• Provides medical laboratory diagnostic and therapeutic information, products, and services by establishing specimen preparation procedures; developing and implementing analytical procedures; evaluating laboratory information; consulting with physicians; reporting results per protocols mandated by the laboratory.
• Implements new programs, tests, methods, instrumentation, and procedures by investigating alternatives; preparing proposals; developing and performing parallel testing; monitoring progress.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Complies with state and professional continuing education licensure requirements by providing in-service programs; monitoring outcomes.
• Resolves problems by consulting with physicians, other laboratory managers, technical coordinators, laboratory directors, nurses, and other health care professionals; attending committee meetings.
• Provides administrative support for the laboratory by acting as manager on call.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

 

Education and Experience

 

• Must meet requirements for Technical Supervisor under CLIA:
• Doctorate in clinical laboratory science, chemical, physical or biological science and 2-5 years training and experience in the respective specialty.

 

Competencies:

 

• Communicate effectively and appropriately.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Interact in an effective and appropriate manner with diverse populations, the Laboratory and the public.
• Ability to propose, conduct, and implement validations end to end.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to deliver information and results in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ability to effectively supervise personnel and complete all associated personnel actions in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ability to maintain and repair analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to effectively operate a chemistry laboratory and direct student employees.
• Ability to maintain inventory of chemicals and laboratory equipment.

 

Work Environment: May work in a variety of laboratory environments at Biosafety Levels I or II. They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patient samples on complex equipment.

 

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

 

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day as needed, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected, particularly with regard to scientific meetings.