Senior Research Scientist – Genetics and Genomics Group Next Generation Sequencing

Job Description:
As a Research Scientist in the Clinical Genetics and Genomics Group you would lead the development, validation, implementation, and growth of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to support an industry leading pipeline across all active therapeutic areas, with a focus on Oncology and Immunoscience. The group is responsible for the application of genetics and genomics technologies for measurement of specific genetic or genomic endpoints in clinical studies which support 1) mechanism of action hypotheses, 2) pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluations, and 3) patient stratification or 4) novel biomarkers related to clinical response. You would liaise closely with the NGS core laboratories in Discovery to ensure the implementation of the appropriate genetic and genomic assays in early clinical studies (single genes, panels, etc) based on results of biomarker discovery efforts in those functions. As a champion of PPD's mission to help our customers deliver life changing therapies, you strive to generate high-quality, actionable data.

Job Duties:

• Drives the implementation and growth of NGS technology, supports ongoing development, validation and troubleshooting of NGS assays, including targeted DNA-seq and RNA-seq, WES, and WGS.
• Overseas operations of different NGS workflows; from sample preparation, library construction, data generation, data processing to interpretation of results, ensuring high level of quality and reliability of generated results.
• Implements data processing and analysis workflows, bioinformatics pipelines, and data storage procedures in collaboration with internal and external multidisciplinary teams.
• Effectively manages available resources, distributes assignments and delegates workload as needed to achieve timely execution of projects, works with cross functional teams (internal and external teams) to execute plans and set deliverables.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for NGS technology, provides guidance on experimental design, method or platform selection, and data management to address a specific need.
• Educates laboratory staff and/or contractors, conducts hands-on training, and delivers internal and external presentations.
• Learns various NGS platforms, stays on the top of the scientific and technical innovations, and follows new trends and developments in genomic technologies to uphold client's competitive advantage.
• Drafts experimental plans, validation reports, work instructions, technology transfer documents, study summaries and SOPs.
• Actively participate in internal/external collaboration, portfolio management groups and clinical study and biomarker execution teams.

When you work with PPD, you are working with world-renowned scientists, state-of-the-art technologies, industry leaders with vision and therapeutic experts.

Apply now to join a company that offers the most comprehensive set of laboratory services available in the industry, where you will have the opportunity to impact the future of pharmaceutical product development.

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Education And Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
• Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 8+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience. OR
• Masters degree and previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable 6+ year)
OR
• PhD and previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable 4+ year)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:

• Must have at least 2 years of documented hands-on (wet lab) experience with NGS assay development, validation, troubleshooting, and reviewing of run QC data.
• Must have an in-depth knowledge of different NGS platforms and technologies (experience with long reads sequencing is a plus).
• Must be familiar with different NGS software platforms, bioinformatics pipelines and NGS data processing and interpretation solutions.
• Bioinformatics skills, programing in different languages, experience with command line, and familiarity with statistical software packages is highly desired.
• Technical expertise with other molecular technologies, including but not limited to: PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, digital PCR, NanoString, etc. is also highly desired.
• Must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, must display excellent leadership and people skills, and demonstrate ability to work collaboratively with others in a highly matrixed environment.
• Must be self-motivated, demonstrated ability to work independently and learn quickly.
• Must be goal oriented and focused on completing work on time.
• Thrive in a highly interactive, fast-paced and dynamic team environment.
• Must be able to quickly adapt to changing priorities and work well in fast pace environment and under pressure.
• Must be fluent in English both oral and written and possess good communication and presentation skills.
• Full understanding of laboratory requirements, SOPs, ICH guidelines, USP requirements and FDA guidance
• Full knowledge of technical operating systems
• Ability to independently optimize analytical methods
• Ability to independently perform root cause analysis for method investigations
• Proven ability in technical writing skills
• Proven problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Effective written and oral communication skills as well as presentation skills
• Time management and project management skills
• Ability to mentor others on technical operating systems
• Ability to independently review and understand project proposals/plans

Working Conditions :

• Work is performed in a laboratory and/or a clinical environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Occasional drives to site locations, occasional domestic travel.
• Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms.
• Rare exposure to skin and lung irritants, radiation, toxic materials and hazardous waste.
• Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.
• Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in an upright and /or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipment.
• Occasional mobility needed.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Frequently interacts with others to obtain or relate information to diverse groups.
• Works independently with little guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals. Requires multiple periods of intense concentration.
• Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress. Ability to multi-task.
• Regular and consistent attendance.

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Requeriments :

• Technical Bachelor

Skills :

• Bioinformatics
• DNA sequencing
• Next Generation Sequencing
• Programing Skills
• RNA-seq

Areas :

• Other

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Additional Info:
PPD is a leading global contract research organization. At PPD we are passionate, deliberate, and driven by our purpose - to improve health.

PPD Laboratories offers the most comprehensive set of laboratory services available in the industry and continues to deliver innovative solutions to our clients through our collaborative approach, including PPD® Laboratories FSP. PPD® Laboratories FSP is a unique partnership that allows our clients to leverage the experience of our PPD staff, while allowing you, the employee, to gain direct experience working onsite at a pharmaceutical/ biopharmaceutical company, all while maintaining full-time benefits/advantages of being a part of PPD.

PPD is an affirmative action employer that values diversity as a strength and fosters an environment of mutual respect. PPD provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, pregnancy, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or other status within any other protected group.

Organization: Lab Operations

Primary Location: North America-United States-New Jersey-FSP Hopewell NJ

PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 47 countries and approximately 20,000 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a firm commitment to quality to help clients and partners bend the cost and time curve of drug development to deliver life-changing therapies that improve health. For more information, visit www.ppdi.com.

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