Automation Expert – Biologics Research Laboratory Automation (80-100%*)

Job Description Summary

Location: On-site lab based in Basel, Switzerland, #LI-onsite

Join our team of 280+ curious minds at Novartis Biologics Research Center, where we work daily to make a difference in patients’ lives. At Novartis, we are committed to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions. As an Automation Expert you will be at the forefront of helping to expand expertise in lab automation technologies and techniques.

 

Job Description

Our Biologics Center is at the forefront of antibody discovery and development. We are currently seeking an experienced Automation Scientist to help further our expertise in lab automation and progress the science of the department and contribute to our activities and cutting-edge work in antibody discovery and biologics. You will be joining a group of 6 dedicated Lab Automation experts reporting to the Group Lead.

Your Responsibilities:

• Develop, troubleshoot, validate, and run high throughput assays on automated systems for antibody discovery screening campaigns and molecular biology workflows.

• Plan, run, and troubleshoot processes on automated systems.

• Assume ownership of assigned automated systems for maintenance, repairs, and readiness state in compliance with internal regulations.

• Analyse data generated on automated systems using KNIME and capture generated information in data management solutions.

• Create or modify data analysis workflows for effective flow and data management.

• Manage projects with internal customers and provide technical support, including creating methods, training users on systems, and supporting them to be self-sufficient with the automation.

The role will be highly collaborative, and the successful candidate will demonstrate high attention to detail, innovation and scientific curiosity and have strong communication skills

Key Performance Indicators:

• Successful development and validation of high throughput assays.

• Timely maintenance and readiness of automated systems.

• Effective data analysis and management.

What You Will Bring to the Role:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Engineering or equivalent with ideally 5-10 years’ experience in the industry, depending on level of qualifications.

• 5+ years of experience in laboratory automation, preferably in a biologics/antibody discovery environment.

• Experience with biochemical assay formats such as ELISA and molecular biology work such as plasmid purification.

• Proven track record in developing processes on Tecan, Beckman-Coulter, Hamilton or other liquid handling platforms, including scheduling software (SAMI, Evoware Plus).

• Hands-on experience with data management systems such as Genedata Biologics and data analytics platforms or software such as KNIME or Spotfire.

• Working knowledge or a high level of motivation to use at least one of the following: R, Python, Visual Basic script, or JavaScript.

• Familiarity with Hamilton systems and Venus Software is highly valued.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, particularly with internal partners within the department.

• Ability to undertake good documentation and create SOPs.

• Ability to assess whether a biological process can be automated and make informed suggestions on the best means to effectively prosecute this.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience with alternative schedulers such as Green Button Go or Cellario

• An understanding of good data management practices.

• Experience of configuring/developing API’s

• Experience of SDK (Software Development Kit) to develop custom queries or functions.

*Restrictions on working flexibility may apply to this position and can be discussed at interview as required

Accessibility and accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

 

Skills Desired

Analytical Skill, Analytical Skill, Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Curiosity, Data, Data Analysis, Design Of Experiments, Detail-Oriented, Diversity & Inclusion, Drug Discovery, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Laboratory, Lifesciences, Machine Learning (Ml), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology {+ 11 more}