Scientific Services Specialist

Responsibilities:

• Use their expertise in flow cytometry and cell sorting to teach, assist, and oversee core lab functions.
• Serve as a resource for users; to train new users, help self-operators solve problems with their instrument operations and improve their skills in all aspects of FACS instrument function.
• Acts as primary resource to provide experiment setup technical leadership for all scientist's operators and aid resolve experiment setup, design, and operation issues
• Performs guidance with routine, moderate, and complex analysis for flow cytometry assay specimens in accordance with assay specific gating guides (GG) and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Perform routine maintenance on FACS equipment, including QC of cytometers and routine fluorescence compensation procedure
• Leads routine quality investigations
• Supports management in coordinating daily assignment of workload and assist in daily workload completion and review process
• Coordinates and responds to queries, communications, and workflows with flow labs to ensure consistency and timely resolution
• Identifies and leads efforts related to troubleshooting and process improvements to increase data quality, lower costs, or reduce turnaround times
• Completes CAPAs and effectiveness verifications
• Become familiar with all software used in the facility such as Benchling and assist facility users in learning to use this software
• Understand common and unique biological applications, cell handling techniques, and reagents used by researchers and assist them in designing and optimizing their FACS experiments
• Take responsibility for non-routine instrument maintenance and repair (complementing instrument manufacturer service)

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

Critical Skills:

• Comprehensive understanding of how the flow cytometer and FACS instruments work.
• Attention to detail and understanding of the basic laboratory environment
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to troubleshoot and solve problems independently
• Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Demonstrates appropriate use of relevant equipment after training
• Ability to work independently and lead a team

Basic Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in physical or biological science or a related science and 5 or more years of recent, directly related work experience or Associate’s Degree in life science or other relevant discipline and 10 years' flow cytometry experience in a laboratory environment or High School Degree/GED with 15 years' flow cytometry experience in a laboratory environment.
• Basic experience with MS Office: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• A highly qualified candidate will have 5 or more years of experience with one or more of the following instrumentation systems: Sony SH800 FACS, BD FACSAria, BD Symphony, Cytek Aurora, ACEA Novocyte
• Master's degree in an Immunology scientific discipline is preferred
• A highly qualified candidate will have experience in working with and/or designing larger flow cytometry panels (>10 colors)

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to remains in a stationary position more than 25% of the time
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move inside and outside labs
• Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.
• Regularly move or lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally move or lift up to 100 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the instrument), distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer

Job Description Summary

PerkinElmer’s purpose is to enable scientists, researchers, and clinicians to address their most critical challenges across science and healthcare. With a mission focused on innovating for a healthier world, we deliver unique solutions to serve the diagnostics, life sciences, food and environmental markets.


We are looking for a highly motivated Scientific Services Specialist in Flow Cytometry to provide critical, on-site, scientific and operational support as part of a dynamic PerkinElmer lab service team. The role is responsible for leading Flow Cytometry and FACS equipment and scientists’ operators as requested by our pharmaceutical customer. Other general lab responsibilities will also be required, all of which require a high level of attention to detail to provide a quality service.


This role will be onsite full-time in Cambridge, MA.