Automation Specialist I

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Laboratory Setting, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Office, Rapid flashing lights, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Standing for full shift, Strong Odors (chemical, lubricants, biological products etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials

Job Description

This is a fully onsite role based at our BioAnalytical in Richmond, VA. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Please note that relocation assistance is not provided for this position, and any relocation costs will be the responsibility of the candidate.  

Join Us as an Automation Specialist – Make an Impact at the Forefront of Innovation

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

Our PPD® Laboratory Services team has a direct impact on improving patient health through the expertise of scientists, industry thought-leaders and therapeutic experts. As the world leader in serving science, our laboratory professionals bring their commitment to accuracy and quality to deliver groundbreaking innovations.

As an Automation Specialist I you will perform a variety of routine to moderately complex activities in support of automated instrumentation. You will conduct activities following company SOPs and policies, while also adhering to automation best practices with periodic direct supervision.

What You'll Do:
• Maintains maintenance schedule as required for automated instrumentation with periodic supervision.
• Performs routine hardware replacements.
• Assists in liquid class testing and/or labware creation for automated liquid handling workstations with periodic supervision.
• Assists in implementing new scripts/methods through developmental testing with supervision.
• Responds to and aids lab personnel in error handling situations for automated instrumentation.
• Develops basic troubleshooting skills (hardware and/or software)
• May program new (or revise) scripts with low to moderate complexity in support of maintenance activities and/or assay methods on automated instrumentation with supervision
• Develops documentation skills to adhere to relevant SOPs and laboratory automation standard processes

Education & Experience Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification.
• Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 1+ years).

In some cases an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Direct experience with laboratory instrumentation required
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word; experience with programming (Hamilton Venus, TECAN EVOware or Fluent Control, Thermo Momentum, VB, Python, etc.) preferred
• Time management skills; demonstrates self-management of assigned tasks
• Ability to work in a collaborative work environment with a team
• Ability to understand and independently apply GMPs and /or GLPs to everyday work
• Proficient in weekly and monthly maintenance events for automated instrumentation
• Developing in training of other laboratory staff for preventative maintenance activities and/or high throughput automated sample analysis

Working Environment:
• Work is performed in a laboratory and/or a clinical environment with rare to daily exposure to electrical office equipment, irritants, radiation, toxic materials, biological fluids, fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures, and hazardous waste
• Personal protective equipment such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves may be required at times
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipment
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf
• Standing, walking, and twisting of upper body/neck required constantly. Crouching/stooping required daily. Kneeling and pushing/pulling of items required frequently. Ability to work in an upright and /or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects with a maximum lift of 15-50 lbs.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand and to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Frequently interacts with others to acquire or relate information to diverse groups
• Works independently with guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals. Requires multiple periods of intense concentration
• Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress.