Research Scientist I/II - Chemistry
Biobot Analytics
Cambridge, MA, USA
Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2023
Biobot’s Chemistry R&D team is responsible for developing and advancing novel assays, platforms, processes, and research to enable exclusive data insights to our public health customers. We are looking for a Research Scientist to develop and grow a novel high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) platform on the Chemistry R&D team at Biobot Analytics. This scientist will be responsible for imagining, planning, executing and validating our HRMS platform for use in discovery and commercial applications and supporting additional research topics as they apply. The ideal candidate will be an expert in HRMS method development and data interpretation who thrives in an independent and fast-paced environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (What you will be doing):
- Solve analytical problems
- Develop novel LC-HRMS methods for an array of endpoints, from free-form discovery to robust routine quantitative analysis
- Evaluate and implement computational mass spectrometry and data warehousing tools for the identification and quantification of small molecules by HRMS
- Collaborate with data science team to establish trends and correlations in discovery datasets to position opportunities for future product offerings
- Design, optimize, execute, and support sample preparation protocols
- Evolve research plans and execute experiments within reasonable timelines
- Maintain compound database(s) within instrument software or third party toolkits
- Document summary of research, data, and results in an ELN
- Support data interpretation across research, data science, product, and marketing
- Perform basic maintenance tasks on instrumentation such as preparing fresh mobile phases, discarding hazardous chemical waste, monitoring gas levels, and replacing parts
- Coordinate with instrument, equipment, and supply vendors to troubleshoot problems and schedule maintenance
- Work safely in a BSL2 laboratory environment and serve as a leader to others in this regard
- Maintain a clean and organized workspace
- Collaborate with internal teams on cross-functional projects and work
- Communicate analyses/results to internal audiences, external customers, the WWBE community, and academic collaborators
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements (What you need to succeed):
- PhD or Master’s + 4 years research or industry work experience or Bachelor’s + 8 years research or industry work experience
- At least 4 years of experience independently operating and developing trace detection applications and instrumentation (HRMS, LC-MS/MS, etc.) in a bioanalysis environment
- Expert in quantitative HPLC-MS/MS and with isotope dilution quantitation
- Well-versed in multiple forms of chemistry sample preparative techniques (filtration, SPE, protein precipitation, etc)
- Ability to communicate complex technical topics to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
- A collaborative and get-stuff-done attitude
Education and/or Work Experience Bonuses (What will help you succeed):
- Familiarity with ThermoFisher Scientific instruments/TraceFinder software
- Coding in Python or R
- Experience mentoring junior scientists
- Technologically savvy; experience with Google Suite, data manipulation/analysis software, Slack, Smartsheets, ELNs, and LIMS
- Experience with advanced separation and analysis techniques (nano-flow, microflow, HILIC, SFC, SEC, MISER, turbulent flow chromatography, parallel-column regen, etc.)
- Experience with advanced sample preparation techniques (antigen capture, SLE, modern SPE, SFE, etc.)
Physical Requirements and Special Demands:
- Must be able to commute and work onsite in the lab four days a week
- Required standing or sitting for several hours straight at a time.
- Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone and video conferencing for several hours each day
Compensation Information
The estimated salary for this position is $100,000 to $130,000 depending on prior work experience. This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position.
The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: total experience, applicable knowledge and relevant skills. Final salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s leveling upon offer.
Please see below for more information about Biobot, including our benefits overview, company background, and employment eligibility requirements.
Employment Eligibility
We are unable to sponsor work visas at this time.
Additionally, we are currently only accepting applicants from the states listed below. You will be asked to confirm your location in your application to help us determine your eligibility for this position.
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
Our Benefits
Health Coverage
Free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families, including a $0 deductible medical plan. We want our employees to manage their health and that of their families without worrying about high premiums or deductibles.
Self Care
Unlimited PTO with 3 week minimum. Whether it's playing MTG or D&D, singing on stage, camping, raising chickens, or anything else that inspires, we want our employees to unplug and explore their passions.
Biobabies
12 weeks parental leave at 100% pay. We love Biobabies and know that bonding with a new child is a critical need for employees and Biobabies alike.
Savings
3% Biobot 401k contribution. Regardless of whether our employees contribute, we contribute 3% of salaries into participating employees' 401k accounts because we want to support their long-term financial goals.
Workspace
Onsite or at home, we ensure our employees' workspace is set up for success through generous home office stipend for remote employees, free parking or commuter benefits and on-site meals for lab employees.
About Biobot
At Biobot, we are working together to build a team environment in which everyone can thrive and is proud to belong. We are an equal opportunity employer and our goal is to be a diverse team that is representative, at all job levels, of the society we live in. We encourage applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, including those who are traditionally underrepresented in technology startups.
Our mission is to transform wastewater infrastructure into public health observatories.
Named as one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies in the world in 2021, Biobot Analytics is a wastewater epidemiology company and uses technology developed at MIT to measure biomarkers in sewage to better understand population health in cities. We first launched an opioid product to support government and public health officials in responding to the opioid epidemic, and in 2020 launched a Covid19 product to estimate the scope and trend of the outbreak in communities. We have operated in almost 500 communities across 43 U.S. states, generating Covid19 case estimates for over 13% of the U.S. population.
Battling the opioid epidemic and now the Covid19 pandemic is just the beginning - we’re transforming sewage into a data asset and building a public health database. Eventually, Biobot data will be an early warning system for disease outbreaks, a map of nutrition disparities, and more. Headquartered in the Boston area with an office in NYC, we aim to create the bedrock of human health infrastructure and smart cities in countries across all six continents.
Please visit our website at www.biobot.io