Associate Scientist at The Jackson Laboratory

Farmington, Connecticut, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

13 Feb, 26

Salary

101081.0

Posted On

15 Nov, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Molecular Biology, RNA Biology, Spatial Genomics, Project Management, Sample Handling, Imaging Techniques, Documentation, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Technical Expertise, Process Optimization, Instrument Management, Histology, Assay Development, Single-Cell Technologies, Laboratory Management

Industry

Biotechnology Research

Description

The Associate Scientist will serve as the platform lead for Xenium spatial transcriptomics projects at Single Cell Biology Lab (SCBL) within The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality, robust data. The SCBL is a core facility supporting the scientific research community with cutting-edge single-cell technologies, including dissociative single-cell omics, spatial omics, and high-content screening. This role is central to the lab's spatial genomics capabilities, requiring deep expertise in the Xenium workflow, exceptional project coordination, and strong communication with scientific stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be the technical expert for all Xenium operations from sample handling and experimental execution to data quality control and workflow optimization. You will leverage your strong background in molecular biology, tissue handling, and single-cell technologies to enhance and expand the capabilities of the Single Cell Biology Lab. Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions Platform Leadership: Serve as the Xenium Platform Lead and Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing guidance and support to end-users and the broader scientific community. Project Management & Execution: Coordinate the full lifecycle of Xenium projects, including managing sample submission and receiving, providing service quotations, executing experiments, and ensuring final data quality control (QC). System Maintenance: Oversee instrument management, including maintaining the Xenium instrument, managing stock and inventory, and performing advanced troubleshooting of equipment and assays. Process Optimization & Development: Drive the continuous improvement of the platform by optimizing existing workflows and developing new spatial genomics capabilities and technologies. Scientific Awareness: Stay current with the newest developments in the spatial genomics field and effectively communicate technological updates to the team and research community. Meticulous Documentation: Maintain excellent documentation standards, including comprehensive lab notebooks, SOPs, error/work logs, metadata, and sample information. Stakeholder Communication: Ensure seamless communication with end-users, vendors, colleagues, and managers to coordinate and successfully complete all Xenium projects. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required Education: Master’s degree (M.S.) in Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field. Experience: 2-4 years of experience in a core facility or industry setting. Molecular & RNA Biology: Deep and comprehensive understanding of RNA and molecular biology principles, including associated assays. Imaging-Based Spatial Genomics Expertise: Hands-on experience with FISH-based platforms, including 10x Genomics Xenium, MERFISH, and seqFISH. Technical Breadth: Comprehensive knowledge of various spatial genomics technologies (e.g., Xenium, Visium, MERFISH, seqFISH). Sample Handling: Direct experience with tissue sectioning, handling, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. Documentation: Experience in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN). Operational Skills: Proven project and lab management experience, including managing stock, inventory, and instrument uptime. Soft Skills: Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; proven ability to thrive as a team player within interdisciplinary groups. Preferred Education: Ph.D. preferred Single-Cell Experience: Hands-on experience with single-cell technologies (e.g., 10x Chromium, smart-seq, split-and-pool methods). Biopharma Industry Experience: Preferred experience working in an industrial setting, such as the biotechnology or pharmaceutical sector, demonstrating familiarity with industry-standard workflows and requirements. Histology Expertise: Experience in histopathology. Development: Proven track record in technology development or assay optimization. Pay Range: $65,018 - $101,081, pay is determined by experience About JAX: The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org. EEO Statement: The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws. Bar Harbor: The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries. Ellsworth: The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine’s fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants. Farmington: JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine’s research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the-art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports. Sacramento: The JAX® Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation’s Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums. Outdoor activities are plentiful: Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year. Augusta: JAX’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.

Responsibilities

The Associate Scientist will lead Xenium spatial transcriptomics projects, ensuring high-quality data delivery. This role involves project management, system maintenance, and process optimization within the Single Cell Biology Lab.