Position: Scientist, Assay Development
Company: Newormics (https://newormics.com)
Close date: Open until filled
About Newormics:
Newormics is an Austin based biotechnology company, offering in vivo toxicology testing services using C. elegans. Newormics is the exclusive licensee of a microfluidic-based technology, vivoChip®, that allows high-throughput and high-content analysis of C. elegans. This platform has been sold to C. elegans researchers around the globe to promote their image-based studies. At Newormics, we are fully committed to making significant social and economic contributions by helping to bring safer chemicals and drugs to the market with reduced development cost, time, and the number of higher-order vertebrate animal testing.
Job Description:
Newormics is seeking a Research Scientist to join the team in Austin. When you join Newormics, you will be part of an innovative, enthusiastic, smart, and driven team that shares a passion for applying their engineering technologies to life science. In the Research Scientist role, you will participate in the development of the next-generation screening service offerings for toxicology assessments of novel chemicals and environmental toxicants using C. elegans. The role will provide technical direction and share responsibilities within the eventual screening facility services. The role will supervise complex projects, ensuring the successful execution of every project within an agreed timescale and to appropriate quality standards.
In return for your commitment, drive, and enthusiasm, an attractive compensation package will be offered.
We seek highly motivated and independent individuals who can work with other Scientists and Engineers in a highly collaborative environment. The candidate should have demonstrated extensive experience in developing C. elegans assays and familiarity with large-scale culturing protocols to support high-throughput screening of C. elegans. A candidate with a Ph.D. degree and extensive research experience is preferred.
Please be aware that this role may require handling of materials that may contain chemicals which require appropriate personal protective equipment as directed by Newormics standard operating procedures.
Essential Functions:
• Develop high-throughput screening (HTS) protocols using C. elegans models
• Develop new C. elegans strains for toxicology testing and mode-of-action studies
• Perform large scale culturing and maintenance of C. elegans
• Perform HTS of chemicals and compounds
• Analyze data and prepare technical reports summarizing experimental results
• Follow existing SOPs and author new SOPs for novel techniques
• Closely collaborate with an interdisciplinary team
• Establish collaborations with industry and academic partners
• Communicate project goals, action items, milestones, and deadlines
• Provide technical expertise in the creation of strategic plans and marketing activities
• Contribute to new research proposals and necessary preliminary results
• Participate in the preparation of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, customer presentations, white papers, and product flyers
Required Qualifications and Skills:
• Ph.D. in C. elegans fields, preferably neuroscience, developmental biology, genetics, or engineering
• Extended experience in C. elegans neurobiology, developmental biology, or drug/RNAi screening
• Experience in C. elegans strain development
• Experience working with advanced microscopes and image-based phenotypic analysis
• Good knowledge of laboratory practices, implement quality controls, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Meticulous attention to detail, well organized, strong team working ethos, decision-making skills, and organization of own work and others to maximize output
• Project management and planning skills to prioritize milestones
• Excellent writing and speaking communication skills
• Ability to review, analyze, interpret, and present complex data with high standards
Desirable Skills:
• C. elegans neurobiology and developmental biology
• Experience in large-scale drug or RNAi screening of degeneration phenotypes in C. elegans models
• Experience in genetic studies with multiple wild isolates and knowledge of GWAS/QTL analysis
• Knowledge of advanced biomedical tools, such as microfluidics or laboratory automation
• Experience in assay development with small animal models (C. elegans, Drosophila, and zebrafish)
• Knowledge of animal model development using CRISPR/Cas-9 gene-editing technology
Working Conditions:
• Standard C. elegans biology, biochemistry, molecular biology work in a wet laboratory
• Microscopy work in a darkroom environment
• Image-based analysis for large-scale phenotypic studies
• Mentor, guide, and train junior and new team members
• Work with bio-hazardous materials with proper safety equipment and SOPs
• Regular work week with non-standard night and weekend work as required to complete deliverables
• Travel to attend conferences, trade shows, and strategic meetings
Recruitment Process:
The position will be open until filled. If you are interested send a cover letter with your CV to gina.lento@newormics.com. If you are selected, the next step will be a web-based and/or onsite interview as travel restrictions allow. The appropriate arrangement will be coordinated with the selected applicants in connection with the hiring process.
Newormics Non-Discrimination Policy:
Newormics is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law.
Newormics will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, under applicable law and as Federal funding application provisions allow.