What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Scientist, Advanced Biopharma Solutions position at Akoya Biosciences?
About Akoya Biosciences:
As The Spatial Biology Company™, Akoya’s mission is to bring context to the world of biology and human health through the power of spatial phenotyping. Our single-cell imaging solutions phenotype cells with spatial context to visualize how they organize and interact to influence disease progression and treatment response. These tools more accurately stratify patient populations to enable identification of most effective treatments and produce better outcomes and futures. Akoya offers two distinct technologies, the PhenoCyclerTM and PhenoImagerTM platforms, to serve the diverse needs of researchers across discovery, translational and clinical research. We provide a complete end-to-end workflow supported by an array of proprietary reagents and software analysis tools. Our partnerships with the academic community and our customers have resulted in a robust pipeline of future products.
Position Summary:
Akoya Biosciences is seeking an experienced and motivated Scientist and Project Manager to join our Advanced Biopharma Solutions (ABS) and Tissue Imaging team in Marlborough, MA. The successful candidate will be a member of a dynamic group that provides laboratory services to academic, biotech and pharma clients in the translational and clinical workspace. The ABS team provides tissue analysis based on our ultra-high multiplexing approach utilizing Akoya’s OPAL™ technology to provide unparalleled cellular/tissue imaging capabilities. Efforts focus on assay development, optimization, and standardization of multiplexed immunofluorescence, image analysis and high throughput processing of clients’ samples in a GCP and CLIA regulated laboratory environment. The successful candidate will be experienced in areas of life science with a focus on immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and quantitative pathology. They are comfortable overseeing complex projects involving cross functional teams and outside collaborators, has preferably worked in regulatory laboratories, including CAP/ CLIA or ISO certified institutions, is detailed oriented, has the ability to prioritize responsibilities and is client/patient oriented. The candidate should be used to working in a fast paced environment, to meeting deadlines, multitasking and must have good interpersonal skills.
Essential Functions:
• Collaborate with ABS leadership on evolving and existing client projects and strategies. This includes a deep understanding of client projects, including Statements of Work (SOWs) and client
translational or clinical goals.
• Oversee and/or perform directly project specific tasks, timelines, and cross functional teams. This includes but is not limited to the support of assay development, optimization and standardization, imaging, analysis, supervising laboratory work, and overseeing QC approaches.
• Project monitoring and management for, communication with, and data reporting to ABS clients. They will participate, lead, and present within meetings with Akoya’s clients.
• Communicating with clients regarding organizational matters such as shipment of samples, sample receipt, timelines, and deliverables, as well as any deviations thereof.
• Arranging and participating in clients’ site visits which includes preparation of these visits and maintenance of project specific documentation.
• Communicate project details, goals, timelines, and any alterations to Akoya’s cross functional teams (Logistics/Operations, ABS laboratory team, Image Analysis group, Finance).
• Assuring compliance with Akoya’s SOPs and local/federal regulations for clients’ projects.
• Maintaining patient sample confidentiality according to HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Following all safety precautions for chemicals and reagents while working in the lab, demonstrating knowledge of OSHA standards and BSL2 laboratory safety standards.
• Maintaining professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and reviewing professional publications.
Education, Skills and Background:
• PhD in Life Sciences with 1 -3 years of work experience in academia, for a pharmaceutical company, or related field.
• Passion for tissue-based diagnostics and personalized medicine.
• At least 1 year of experience in project/study management, including excellent interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written.
• Experience with antibody selection, assay development and standardization, preferably applying multiplexed fluorescence.
• Imaging and image analysis experience using VECTRA® and/or inForm® preferred, as well as programming experience in either R or MATLAB®
• Ability to work independently, prioritize duties, collaborate with cross functional teams, troubleshoot, and suggest improvements to ABS workflows.
• Experience with quality control/quality assurance procedures and compliance with regulatory requirements pertaining to CLIA/CAP and GCLP is a plus, not mandatory.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with electronic accounting platforms, LIMS, and electronic notebooks.
• Ability to troubleshoot and work independently under pressure of deadlines and the desire to work in a fast paced, team environment
Akoya Biosciences, Inc. proudly offers equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, age, military status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or gender unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification.
