NGS Laboratory Scientist: Assay Execution and Validation

NGS Laboratory Scientist: Assay Execution and Validation

AITbiotech Pte Ltd ·Singapore · Full-time · Bachelor level

About the role
At AITbiotech we develop molecular diagnostics and genomics solutions, and we are building a growing menu of targeted NGS panels that run on our benchtop abSEQ sequencer: solid-tumour profiling with hereditary cancer, inherited cardiac disease, a large comprehensive cancer panel, and infectious disease.

We are looking for a laboratory scientist to run these assays hands-on: to take samples from extraction through library preparation, target capture and sequencing, and to carry out the validation runs that bring each panel to release.

This is a hands-on role in as mall team. You will work with the R&D Director, who designs the assays and the validation studies, with the bioinformatics scientist who analyses your runs, and with Quality. If you have NGS laboratory experience and want to run assays across a whole panel pipeline in a product-development setting, this is that role.

Key Responsibilities

Assay execution and sequencing

• Perform nucleic-acid extraction (FFPE, fresh tissue, plasma cell-free DNA and blood), library preparation and hybrid-captureenrichment across the panel menu.
• Run sequencing on the abSEQ (MGI) benchtop platform, including run set-up and walk-away operation.
• Batch samples and controls efficiently to fill sequencing runs.

Quality control and troubleshooting

• Perform in-process and run-level QC, record metrics, and troubleshoot failed samples or runs.
• Maintain sample chain-of-custody and accurate laboratory records.

Validation and optimization support

• Carry out analytical and clinical validation runs (limit of detection, precision, accuracy, reproducibility) on clinical and reference samples, following protocols set with R&D.

• Prepare reference and contrived materials and controls and execute assay-optimisation experiments designed with the R&D Director.

Laboratory operations

• Maintain instruments, reagents, calibration and consumable inventory, and follow SOPs and good documentation practice.
• Help keep laboratory SOPs current, and hand off sequencing data to the bioinformatics scientist for analysis.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Bachelor's in biomedical science, molecular biology, biotechnology, life sciences or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of working experience in related field.
• Some hands-on NGS experience: library preparation and sequencing, from your studies, an internship or a prior role.
• Solid molecular-biology technique (nucleic-acidextraction, PCR) and careful, methodical laboratory work.
• Good quality-control discipline and accurate record-keeping.
• Clear written English for protocols and records, and a team player in a small laboratory.

Advantageous, not required
●      Experience with MGI or Illumina sequencers, or withhybrid-capture panels.
●      FFPE or cell-free DNA handling.
●      qPCR or other molecular-diagnostic workflows.
●      Exposure to ISO 15189, ISO 13485, GLP or another regulated laboratory environment.
●      Oncology, hereditary or cardiac sample experience.

What you get

• Hands-on across a whole pipeline. Onco, hereditary cancer, inherited cardiac, a large comprehensive cancer panel and infectious disease, rather than one assay.
• A real product-development lab. Your runs become validated panels and, in time, registered IVDs.
• Learn and grow. The full clinical NGS workflow end to end, with room to grow as the menu and the team expand.
• Small company, real decisions, and a short distance between your work and whether a result reaches a patient.