Research and Development Engineer 4, Innovative Genomics Institute (0442U) - 32166

Company: University of California, Berkeley
Location: Berkeley
Posted on: May 13, 2022

Job Description:

Research and Development Engineer 4, Innovative Genomics Institute (0442U) - 32166 About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our , our , and

Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute believes in the potential of genome engineering to solve some of humanity's greatest problems. Worldwide, there are over 5000 genetic diseases, most of which have few treatment options and no cures. Medical research typically targets one disease at a time, focusing on common diseases with large patient populations, and it can take a decade or more to develop each new therapy. The IGI Center for Translational Genomics (CTG) is a first-of-its kind innovation hub for gene-editing research and development of targeted treatments for intractable genetic diseases, housed in the IGI Building on UC Berkeley campus. IGI's CTG team is working to create a platform to enable new therapies for genetic blood and primary immune disorders, focusing on rare and neglected conditions. We aim to accelerate the timeline from a diagnosis to a cure, eventually provide customized treatments to individuals living with these conditions. The IGI envisions a world in which genome-engineering innovations benefit humanity and are accessible to all.

The IGI is committing to hiring researchers who want to work in a high-performing culture. The IGI is interested in candidates who will contribute to our commitment to excellence, diversity, and inclusion in academia. The IGI is also interested in applicants who may have had non-traditional career paths, taken time off for family/personal reasons, or excelled in careers outside academia. Most of our job postings list "required" and "preferred" qualifications. We encourage individuals to apply who do not meet every preferred qualification, but who could grow and thrive in the role.

Application Review Date

The minimum posting duration of this position is 14 calendar days. The department will not initiate the application review process prior to March 17, 2022.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with IGI research personnel across multiple program areas to understand genome editing assay requirements to tailor automation and machine specification accordingly.
• Functions as project manager for complex engineering endeavors like updating existing machinery to support new high throughput assays.
• Maintains awareness of advancements in robotics and relevant fields of engineering; builds into design and development when beneficial.
• Provides engineering information and guidance to Principal Investigators (PI's) and other research personnel to translate manual protocols into a format/process that is amenable to laboratory automation.
• Develops and implements robot programming software for laboratory automation instrumentation, especially for liquid handlers and associated/integrated peripheral devices.
• Creates documentation for robotic systems to capture instructions for user interaction regarding maintenance, loading instruments, launching and running specific methods, and/or error handling.
• Develops training and implementation plans to complete user training and testing for running automated protocols of integrated systems based on the needs of the associated lab(s) and its manager(s).
• Occasionally develops prototypes with CAD software and 3D printing to model potential hardware integrations.
• Develops and optimizes an automated next generation sequencing system, which will be used to help the NGS core process samples at higher throughput and more efficiently.
• Carries out complex assignments related to operating, programming, and troubleshooting automated systems and instruments for the CLIA lab, CTG, NGS core, and any future departments that harbor laboratory automation instrumentation within the IGI.
• Develops cost-effective and efficient processes to maintain and produce machines for the CLIA lab, CTG, and NGS core to allow investigators to accomplish their daily tasks in their respective scientific disciplines.
• Troubleshoot defects in the robot design to correct errors and/or report faults to manufacturers and vendors for service to prevent instrument down-time.
• Monitors the use of robotic systems at the IGI and optimizes to increase functionality and efficiency in order to avoid excess reagent costs, unnecessary or burdensome user interactions, and costly repairs due to instrument damage.
• Plans and conducts research to determine the parameters of robotic applications.
• Evaluates manually executed molecular biological assays and uses as basis to design and build automated solutions.
• Occasionally assists the laboratory manager in manual tasks.
• Oversees all operations for customized automated Leubot system.
• Participates in all factory and site acceptance testing.
• Receives training for all integrated devices and associated software.
• Trains end users such as applications testing engineer, laboratory scientists, and research associates.
• Transitions instrumentation from acceptance testing into useable state for end-users through additional testing, optimization, and additional development of protocols / functionality not demonstrated by vendors.
• Provides first-line troubleshooting support.
• Serves as point person for coordinating, contacting, and communicating with instrumentation vendors to resolve issues.
• Coordinates preventive maintenance for integrated instrumentation.
• Supervises at least one direct report.
• Writes job descriptions for recruiting additional team members and oversees the overall recruitment process.
• Approves timecards.
• Oversees performance management, including completion of annual reviews and implementation of disciplinary actions when necessary.
  Required Qualifications
  
  • Advanced knowledge associated with the planning, development, and fabrication of engineering systems.
  • Knowledge of process optimization methodologies.
  • Knowledge and expertise in laboratory technology, including automated high-throughput and biotech instrumentation.
  • Advanced knowledge of robotics applications and the overall field.
  • Professional automated engineering experience in a research laboratory.
  • Ability to calibrate and operate a variety of electronic components, devices, instruments, equipment or systems.
  • Willingness to learn new skills on new instruments as appropriate.
  • Strong creativity and problem solving abilities to apply principles, practices, and procedures to complete difficult assignments.
  • Experience with gathering feedback and requirements and analyzing data to make recommendations.
  • Ability to work independently and make decisions during shift work without additional support.
  • Good organizational and record keeping skills.
  • Strong project management skills to assume responsibility for accomplishment of research objectives.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks in parallel while working effectively.
  • Able to be flexible within a team to achieve objectives.
  • Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
  • Advanced interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and influence others.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for working in a team environment.
  • Ability to develop and execute training programs intended for users of varied technical capability.
  • Demonstrated experience applying technical, scientific and engineering principles to evaluate manual laboratory work protocols/process and develop automated work processes.
  • Thorough understanding of high throughput laboratory automation.
  • Experience with programming liquid handlers.
  • Knowledge of programming languages relevant for data manipulation & instrument integration, such as C/C++, C#, JAVA, Visual Basic.
    Education
    
    • Bachelor's degree in biotechnology and/or equivalent training or experience.
      
      Preferred Qualifications
      
      Education
      
      Advanced degree in biotechnology or related area and/or equivalent training or experience.
      
      Certifications
      
      • Hamilton Liquid Handling Training
      • Microlab STAR User Training
      • Microlab Vantage Software Training
        Salary & Benefits
        
        Annual salary will be commensurate with experience.
        
        To find the salary range for this position please visit: . Use the numeric title code in the Job Posting (listed in parenthesis) to enter into the title code field on the TCS website. Click search and then click on the title code link for the Berkeley Campus (BKCMP). To review salary placement guidelines by years of experience please visit: .
        For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:
        
        How to Apply
        
        Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying. Please upload the document in the Resume section, then skip the (optional) Cover Letter upload section.
        
        Diversity Statement
        
        Please include, as part of your application a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional experience.
        
        Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our UC Berkeley Principles of Community, which states that every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring, and humane environment in which these values can thrive."
        
        Other Information
        
        This is a career, 100% full-time, 40-hours per week appointment, eligible for full UC benefits.
        
        Conviction History Background
        
        This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
        
        Equal Employment Opportunity
        
        The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant see:
        
        
        For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:
        
        
        
        
        To apply, visit
        
        
        
        
        
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Keywords: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley , Research and Development Engineer 4, Innovative Genomics Institute (0442U) - 32166, Engineering , Berkeley, California