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At Exact Sciences, we’re helping change how the world prevents, detects and guides treatment for cancer. We give patients and clinicians the clarity needed to make confident decisions when they matter most. Join our team to find a purpose-driven career, an inclusive culture, and robust benefits to support your life while you’re working to help others.

Position Overview

The Senior Research Scientist II is largely self-driven, working in collaboration with others on one or more projects which are extremely complex in scope. The Senior Research Scientist II is responsible for successfully leading the planning and execution of projects. This position involves independently making detailed observations, analyzing data that is extremely complex and technical, critically analyzing the data and providing supporting scientific rationale as needed, as well as providing insights into the future direction of the project for successful outcomes. This position helps develop the timeline and plan for new assignments/projects.  As a technical expert with deep knowledge and thorough understanding of the science, the Senior Research Scientist II provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior scientists in the Research and Development group.

Working in a team setting, the Senior Research Scientist II will be involved in Research and Development projects serving as a technical lead and subject matter expert in exploring, researching, and testing new technologies, and/or providing and developing ideas and concepts to improve or develop processes that add value or establish innovative methods and processes for product development towards development of diagnostic assay products.

The successful candidate will support the research and early development of NGS-based methods to improve clinical diagnostic test access, quality and performance for patients with cancer.  Responsibilities of this position include design and optimization of innovative NGS-based solutions that integrate clinical product requirements with analytical and operational performance.  This role will require deep understanding of NGS sample preparation and data analysis to collaboratively develop new workflows for the highly accurate detection of somatic mutations and methylation changes in clinical oncology samples.

This position is onsite in San Diego.

Essential Duties

include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct comprehensive bench level experiments within several product or technology areas and identify problems and discrepancies.
• Independently develop, plan and analyze results of experiments within several product or technology areas within defined timelines; effectively present and clearly communicate findings at data meetings, group meetings and project team meetings to inform and enable project progression.
• Critically analyze research/experimental data, interpret the results, and provide insights into the next steps, and the direction of the project for successful outcomes.
• Contribute towards the development of timeline and plan for new assignments/study/projects.
• Operate scientific instrumentation related to performance of duties and notify appropriate personnel of any problems.
• Effectively determine, utilize, and apply methods or technologies and provide ideas for new techniques, when appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of technological industry developments that could assist in completion of an assignment or aid in the development of new processes or procedures.
• Provide scientific rationale when analyzing and interpreting data and provide technical input and participate in decisions affecting project planning and experimental design.
• Prepare and provide information and data for scientific abstracts/conferences/project meetings/publication.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio by implementing innovative and creative ideas to solve problems or improve on current methods.
• Generate, document, and communicate development plans for critical aspects of a project.
• Develop research plans and experimental outlines to write experimental protocols and perform laboratory experiments.
• Prepare detailed technical procedures, protocols, and reports.
• Evaluate impact of nonconforming data to product or process.
• Identify and address trends in study data.
• Prepare and approve written reports.
• Lead identification of areas for process improvements.
• Maintain lab notebook in a clear, complete, and consistent manner, following all legal, ISO, and QSR requirements.
• Prepare reports and documentation providing highly technical analysis or summarization of experimental results, outcomes, next steps, and the future direction of the project to functional leader, technical teams/groups, or project teams.
• Present experimental results and defend scientific ideas and findings at data meetings, group meetings, and project team meetings and/or departmental meetings; critically evaluate scientific data for its merits; lead meetings and help provide directions as a subject matter expert.
• Work on problems which are extremely complex in scope in which analysis of data requires an evaluation of intangible variables. 
• Exercise independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions.
• Work on assignments individually and with project team members to meet department and project objectives.
• Work within project timeframes with successful outcomes on multiple projects and key responsibilities.
• Act as technical leader for one or more projects that are complex in scope.
• Act as subject matter expert in core team and/or cross-functional meetings.
• Exercise discretion and independent judgement within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining and interpreting results, analyzing data, and presenting findings in a professional and knowledgeable manner.
• Promote an open, collaborative environment built on trust to foster positive teamwork.
• Plan, recommend, and lead activities that account for prioritization of organizational and department goals.
• Train, guide, and mentor research associates and junior level Scientists.
• Organize, present, and convey complex problems or issues.
• Ability to communicate clearly and frequently with all levels of the organization including team members, project team members (core and extended), functional managers, clinical lab, and other stakeholders.
• Create high quality presentations that effectively communicate and tie into a cohesive story, the project status, and/or experimental results.
• Apply strength in performing complex analyses and the ability to present data and recommendations to a variety of audiences throughout an organization.
• Apply qualitative and analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively work on several varied projects at one time, with frequent changing priorities.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Apply technical expertise, scientific creativity and rigor, collaboration with others and independent thought; ability to provide insights and defend scientific ideas.
• Apply experimental knowledge and outcomes to new and valuable problems; ability to make predictions based on a deep understanding of the fundamental nature of the inputs into a decision or action.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day.
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 75% of a typical working day.
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
• Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment including microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, and pipettes for extended periods of time.
• May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.
• Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
• Ability and means to travel between local Exact Sciences locations.
• Ability to travel 10% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences,  medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field; or Master’s degree in life sciences,  medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field and 4 years of related experience in lieu of PhD; or Bachelor’s degree in life sciences,  medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field and 6 years of related experience in lieu of PhD.
• 8+ years of industry or academia experience in biology and/or chemistry.
• 6+ years of experience in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated ability to apply molecular biology and/or biochemistry and/or next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genomics.
• Demonstrated understanding of GMP, ISO, and Quality Systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in product/assay research, design, or development.
• Proficient computer skills to include Internet navigation, Email usage, and word processing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office to include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Salary Range:

Exact Sciences is proud to offer an employee experience that includes paid time off (including days for vacation, holidays, volunteering, and personal time), paid leave for parents and caregivers, a retirement savings plan, wellness support, and health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage. Learn more about our benefits .

Our success relies on the experiences and perspectives of a diverse team, and Exact Sciences fosters a culture where all employees can develop personally and professionally with a sense of respect and belonging. If you require an accommodation, please contact us E-Mail schreiben.

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We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. Any applicant or employee may request to view applicable portions of the company’s affirmative action program.

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