Research and Development Specialist - Clinical Immunology Lab

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We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

A Brief Overview
Under the direction of the Clinical Labs Section/Division Manager and Medical Director(s), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the Clinical Lab R&D Specialist will research, develop, and implement advanced techniques or instrumentation for clinical diagnostics. The R&D Specialist will evaluate new methods, techniques, and instrumentation to make recommendations to the Faculty and leadership. S/He will lead projects for procedure development, initiating and conducting work without direct supervision in order to achieve successful implementation of fully validated, novel clinical diagnostic tests. The R&D Specialist will participate and collaborate in the scientific publication process. The R&D Specialist supervises other research staff and assists in lab operations. The R&D Specialist performs high-complexity diagnostic testing procedures.

What you will do

• Drives innovation of clinical laboratory operational and technical goals with new clinical diagnostic test implementation.
• Conducts research of laboratory testing with significant clinical diagnostic value to achieve full development, validation, and implementation of new clinical diagnostic tests
• Is a leader in the design, planning, and implementation phases
• Applies project management techniques to ensure development initiatives stay on track
• Tracks project progress, develops milestones and success criteria, communicates roadblocks or risks to project initiatives, and provides regular updates to leadership team.
• Provides technical expertise for laboratory equipment and operational implementation
• Works with laboratory leadership to identify and select the necessary reagents and supplies for test development and implementation.
• Collect and interpret scientific data and apply statistical tools to evaluate research initiatives and quality of processes.
• Trains laboratory staff on new procedures, protocols, and equipment use/maintenance
• Accurately performs diagnostic tests or procedures of the highest complexity.
• Develops standard operating procedures and protocols
• Acts as a champion for testing innovation through partnership and relationship building with laboratory faculty and leadership, laboratory staff, CHOP researchers, vendors, peer institutions, and professional laboratory organizations/affiliations/networks.
• Active in relevant professional organizations/affiliations/networks to stay current on technology development trends
• Author or assist in authoring publications for peer-reviewed, scientific, quality, or management journals.
• Present research findings within the institution or at scientific meetings
• Collaborates with researchers, fellows, laboratory staff, laboratory leadership and faculty, vendors, peer institutions to develop new research initiatives.
• Leads and directs staff to achieve operational and research objectives
• This role works independently and is expected to direct staff assisting with research and development projects, training of staff, and helps with operational oversight where needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science or other science related field. Required
• Master's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science or other science related field. Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least five (5) years of laboratory experience including experience in assay development, implementation and in advanced tech skills inventory. Required
• At least ten (10) years of laboratory experience including assay development and implementation. Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Exhibits the ability to work with computer programs and computer-controlled equipment
• Exhibits the ability to analyze and interpret data, multitask, and maintains confidential material.
• Exhibits good laboratory technique and safety practices.
• Exhibits good communication, technical, and organizational skills.
• Experience and/or training in multiple laboratory sections and high complexity testing (advanced tech skill inventory).
• Exhibits the ability interpret scientific literature & regulatory compliance and apply to laboratory policy & procedure improvement or development.
• Exhibits the ability to lead scientific projects towards procedure establishment and write regulatory compliant policy & procedures.

Licenses and Certifications

• Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) - - Preferred or
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) - - Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

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