Assay Scientist

We are looking for highly motivated candidate for the role of Assay Scientist to build their career and support the PerkinElmer OneSource Scientific Services at one of our customer sites in Stevenage.

The successful candidate will be working within the PerkinElmer Assay Support team, who will be responsible for supplying cell culture and assay support services to support GSK's R&D programs, who's focus is at the forefront of developing innovative and life-changing treatments to patients.

The role will provide opportunity to develop skills associated with performing, validating, troubleshooting and improving assay protocols, analysing and interpreting data generated from assays and use of automated lab equipment.

The candidate will work within a collaborative team environment across diverse biotherapeutic portfolio within the company and have the opportunity to develop in PerkinElmer's scientific arena.

This role will report into the PerkinElmer Assay Support Supervisor and will work with GSK biological groups within the Stevenage Campus.,

• Maintain cell cultures and perform cell culture duties as directed


• To perform a range of functional whole cell and biochemical assays according to agreed protocols and established SOPs


• Analysis of data using corporate tools; application of QC rules to show acceptability


• To publish and report experimental data in electronic notebooks


• To undertake ordering of compounds and reagents and to track reagent use


• Suggest improvements of current assay platforms


• Validation of novel assay platforms


• Track assay performance metrics & communicate issues


• Comply to Health and Safety procedures for own well-being and quality of product.


• Actively seek opportunities to develop the service by discussion with customer or by the sharing of best practice with other groups.


• Be an active member of the scientific teams - contribute at team meetings and look for opportunities for innovation.


• Assist with the preparation of SOPs, Risk Assessments, and best practice guides.


• To act as an ambassador for TLS and to promote PerkinElmer's core values.


• Operate to approved quality standards.


• Work independently and flexibly depending on team priorities and to set realistic work schedules to support requirements.


• Perform any other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager or project team leader., The overall physical exertion of this position requires:


• Sit or stand 4-5 hours in laboratory areas.


• Work around moving laboratory equipment and machinery.


• Work with biohazards such as blood borne pathogens.


• All work is carried out in a containment level 2 environment.


• Appropriate PPE must always be worn (Lab coat, gloves, eye protection).


• Reach above/below the shoulder, bend at the knees and waist.


• Office work activities, including keyboard, up to 2-3 hours.


Working Environment

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment.


• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.


• Employee maybe required to manage hazardous wastes in compliance with company procedures & State/Federal/Local hazardous waste regulations. Duties may include: Identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing, labelling.


• Ensure safety, security, and the environment in all aspect of the daily activities, and any potential safety hazards are addressed and corrected immediately.


• Understand ergonomic relationship between people, equipment and working environment.
  
  BSc or equivalent in relevant scientific subject (e.g. biology, biotechnology or Biomedical Sciences), with relevant laboratory experience.


• Demonstrable knowledge of assay execution and management.


• Demonstrable knowledge of cell culture, cell lines and aseptic technique.


• Demonstrable experience of working in a laboratory environment with experience of media preparation, cell isolation techniques and molecular biology methods.


• Understanding of standard software packages (i.e.: Microsoft Office, Data Capture)


• Maintain an electronic laboratory notebook and present at team/project meetings.


• Highly motivated and independent, yet able to work well in a group setting.


• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality, consistent results in a timely fashion.


• Ability meet timelines successfully with the utmost attention to detail while setting high performance standards.


• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex scientific data.


• Design and executes new and established methods and protocols.