Senior Scientist, Lab Automation

About This Role

Drive development, implementation, and optimization of advanced laboratory automation systems to accelerate early drug discovery, integrating hardware and software solutions and designing high-throughput workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize laboratory automation systems for high-throughput screening and compound profiling
• Integrate automation platforms such as HighRes, Beckman, Agilent, and scheduling software (e.g., Thermo Scientific Momentum, Cellario) into seamless workflows
• Ensure robust sample tracking, liquid handler QC, and data analysis
• Collaborate with informatics and data science teams for robust data capture, metadata management, and analysis
• Adapt novel assays for automation, including assays utilizing phenotypic, multi-omic, and genetic technologies
• Rapidly troubleshoot and refine production assays, ensuring minimal downtime and high data quality
• Execute assays on automation systems day-to-day, partnering with scientific teams to harmonize globally to deliver data at scale
• Drive adoption of AI/ML-enabled automation platforms for intelligent assay iteration and predictive analytics
• Collaborate on the integration of AI-driven decision-making modules for compound routing and workflow optimization
• Work closely with vendors to evaluate and implement automation hardware and software solutions
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align automation capabilities with discovery goals and operational needs

Requirements

• Experience with laboratory automation and high-throughput screening, preferably in early drug discovery
• Demonstrated experience with automation platforms (HighRes, Beckman, Agilent)
• Experience with Cellario scheduling software
• Automation system integration experience
• Experience in integrating AI/ML with automation
• Proficiency in coding/scripting for automation workflows (e.g., Python, R, or similar)
• Experience with sample tracking, liquid handler QC, and data analysis
• Proven ability to collaborate across scientific and technical disciplines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products

Qualifications

• A degree in Biological Sciences, Engineering, or a related field
• A minimum of 8 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 5 years with a Master’s degree, or 0–3 years with a PhD in laboratory automation and high‑throughput screening, preferably within early drug discovery.

Nice to Have

• Experience with tip-based liquid handlers (programming, testing, and troubleshooting)
• IT/networking knowledge to facilitate data workflow design
• Experience with mass spectrometry and safety assay workflows
• Experience with Genedata Screener and Thermo Scientific Momentum
• Strong project management skills

Skills

* Required skills