Laboratory Automation Specialist

Senior Scientist, Lab Automation Specialist

Zoetis is a global animal health company dedicated to nurturing our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. We strive to create an atmosphere where colleagues feel valued and supported, can give their best every day, and are proud of the company where they work. Building on 70+ years of experience, our scientists help pets live longer, healthier lives, and support healthier, more productive livestock. We are committed to discovering and developing solutions that span a continuum of care to predict, prevent, detect, and treat disease in animals while championing a more sustainable future and creating a healthier world for all.

As the leader in animal health, Zoetis is looking to recruit a lab automation specialist into its world class Veterinary Medicine Research and Development organization (VMRD). The candidate will join the Automation Solutions team within Automation & Data Sciences (ADS) to execute the design and implementation of lab automation projects to support R&D activities. This role will help define the next generation of ADS's assay automation at Zoetis.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of process improvement through the implementation of automated workflows in an industry environment. We are looking for significant hands-on expertise across a range of lab automation systems with an emphasis on Hamilton Star liquid handlers. The candidate should have a working knowledge of a range of assay technologies to understand the end-user experience and develop complementary workflows that drive the adoption of lab automation. The candidate will work in a team setting and will share roles and responsibilities with other colleagues. The candidate should display strong communication skills and will have the opportunity to mentor junior colleagues as they further develop in automation roles.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as project manager to understand scientific workflows, gather requirements, manage, plan, develop, and execute laboratory automation projects.
• Support existing automated laboratory workflows, identify areas for improvement, and implement enhancements.
• Participate in the evaluation of new assay automation technologies and contribute to the VMRD automation strategy.
• Design and implement processes for routine instrument QC and coordinate the maintenance of instruments as needed.
• Train end-users on and coordinate ongoing support of automated workflows.
• Leverage external resources in the design of new automated workflows.
• Collaborate with automation stakeholders to ensure alignment across VMRD.

Required Experience/ Skills

• BS/MS Degree in a science or engineering field with a minimum of 6 years industry experience.
• Extensive experience programming liquid handlers for Life Sciences. Hamilton's Venus is preferred.
• Ability to understand end-user experience and design user focused software interfaces.
• Experience integrating automation instrumentation with assay/logistics data systems.
• Experience with the development, validation, and maintenance of automated system liquid classes.
• Strong background in streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from the collection of requirements through implementation and support.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills required to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Must possess a high level of initiative and creativity with the ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Must have wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be a hands-on team member.

Additional Experience/ Skills

• Experience in assay technologies to support Life Sciences (e.g. In vitro functional assays, bioanalytical assays).
• Background working in regulated laboratory environments (GXP)
• General method programming knowledge of Hamilton Star, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, and Beckman Coulter liquid handlers.
• Strong knowledge of SQL scripting and database architecture.
• Experience with automated assay systems.
• Experience with automation scheduling software (Agilent VWorks, BioSero Green Button Go, etc.)
• Knowledge of scripting or programming languages (e.g VB.Net, VBScript, Excel VBA, C#.Net, Python, JavaScript) and code sharing tools (e.g. Git, GitHub)
• Experience mentoring new individuals as they learn instrument programming and integration.

Job Type

• Full-time, onsite in Kalamazoo, MI

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.