DiaCarta is seeking a highly motivated, experienced and interactive Group Leader or Associate Director for liquid biopsy Assay Development to lead one of the key areas in R&D. The new project leader will initiate, direct and execute pre-clinical scientific research and product development activities. The activities will be focused on developing and launching new assay application for IVD cancer diagnostics. The successful candidate will have outstanding attention to detail, enjoy working in a fast-paced multidisciplinary team environment, and have exceptional hands on laboratory skills. The successful candidate should be able to apply a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to the assay design, assay development and troubleshooting. This is a full-time role in Pleasanton, CA and you will be reporting to the SVP of R&D.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contributes very substantially and intellectually to research and development
• Develops new molecular biology assays and optimizes existing assays
• Leads projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, optimization, verification, validation, and launch
• Responsible for projects and associated timelines and deliverables
• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work
• Independently generates, develops and advances new ideas
• Independently designs and executes moderate to high complexity experiments
• Performs basic data analysis
• will manage Scientists and Research Associates
• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System
• Interacts with on-site CLIA lab, R&D groups, product management, commercial and external collaborators
• Communicates progress directly with colleagues and senior managers

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology or closely related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 3-6 years of industry experience
• Liquid biopsy cancer diagnostics and qPCR or NGS assay development experience are a must
• Experience in IVD assay development is preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Track record of originating, developing and productizing novel nucleic acid techniques and assays
• Proven success in managing collaborative and individual projects, previous experience managing scientists and research associates a plus
• Able to provide high level of leadership to Scientists and junior staff
• Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis
• Experience with nucleic acid technologies relating to multiplex qPCR, digital PCR, NGS and microarrays
• Expert in cfDNA, DNA/RNA isolation and purification, qPCR or NGS cancer panel design, assay development and optimization
• Very strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Adept with Excel and basic statistical analysis
• Bioinformatics skills such as programming (e.g. PERL, python) and datamining are a plus
• Skilled at writing clear plans, reports and SOPs
• Experience with Design Control is a plus

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties are typically performed in office & laboratory settings (at least 30% of the time in lab)
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time may be necessary
• Duties may require working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends) at times

DiaCarta Corporation and all DiaCarta Companies are equal opportunity employers that evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.