Research Application Scientist 

Description

Phitonex, Inc. is the guiding light that enables illumination of the unknown.  We have developed a platform that enables the deterministic optical engineering of fluorescent labels to provide cleaner, higher dimensional analysis of single cells. We are a rapidly expanding company moving at lightspeed to accelerate discovery in the life sciences to help find cures for disease, improve chronic illness, and eliminate suffering.  We are looking for highly motivated individuals interested in working in a fast paced, dynamic environment at the intersection of biology, DNA nanotechnology, and chemistry to create new technology impacting the way light is used in the life sciences.  Our state-of-the-art laboratory facility located in the vibrant heart of downtown Durham, NC offers you an exciting and rewarding career opportunity to help develop and apply bleeding edge technology to uncover new biology.  

We are looking for a Research Applications Scientist who wants to work at the interface of research and development, immunology, and commercialization.  The role will evolve significantly with the right team member, and to that end the ideal candidate is a  versatile self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as in group settings. Candidates will be passionate about science, have a strong desire to help customers solve problems, and capable of teaching/demonstrating our technology and applications to a wide audience of users (brand new students up to very experienced tenured professors). 

The Research Applications Scientist will be responsible for planning and executing flow cytometry experiments in our laboratory and with partners/collaborators; serving as a member of our Science + Design group at the interface of Research and Development and our commercial efforts; enable partner, collaborator, and customer success with our products; develop new technology and paradigms in flow cytometry.  Other duties include and are not limited to - testing, documentation, new product development, and communicating with other departments.

The position requires significant direct interaction with existing and potential customers, and carries an expectation of 33% travel, predominantly within the United States.  Applicants must be legally permitted to work in the U.S.

Location: Durham, NC

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Work as a member of both product development and research teams to develop and test new products, products in development and perform quality control.  
• Independently design and execute flow cytometry experiments, pushing the envelope of dye performance, what is detectable by flow cytometry, and multicolor staining. 
• Assist and work with partners, collaborators, and customers via phone, email, web conference. 
• Gather and communicate customer needs and experiences across the business.
• Produce and edit documentation, create content for a variety of audiences. 
• Attend and present at scientific conferences.
• Stay up to date with, and expand on expertise (flow cytometry and next gen-sequencing).

Skills i.e. demonstrated ability to:

• Independently design, plan, and execute a 16+ color flow cytometry experiment including panel design, staining, and analysis
• Construct and execute complex immunology laboratory workflows e.g. sort to sequencing, and stakeholder management/teamwork to create and do these experiments
• Understand topics beyond your immediate area of expertise quickly and think laterally about how concepts may be related 
• Communicate incredibly about complex scientific topics in an entertaining and educational manner. 
• Think on your feet and improvise with credibility.
• Advocate for users and abstract one’s own experience to the needs of scientists worldwide
• Understand commercial needs of and pressures on a business, and be able to translate scientific concepts into concise text and marketing language

Attributes:

• Passionate about service and enabling customers’ success before your own as a reflex 
• Ability to understand partner and customer challenges and needs and to present a solution
• Ability to think deeply and quickly when presented with new challenges and uncertainty (i.e. you must be comfortable solving for f(x) when both x and f(x) are changing) 
• Keen desire to articulate a strategy and then roll up sleeves to prioritize and execute 
• Dogmatically constructive and optimistically skeptical
• Flexible both in job role and problem solving
• Intellectually fearless 
• Rigorously self motivated, and results-driven 
• Impeccable communication style (written and presentation)
• Supernatural ability to balance speed of execution and intentionality

Required Experience:

• Ph.D. in immunology, or similar.
• 4+ years research and/or work experience in flow cytometry and immunology
• Demonstrated passion for lifelong learning and self motivation through continuing education.

Preferred Experience:

• 2+ years RNA or DNA sequencing.
• 2+ years in teaching role, either as assistant professor, teaching assistant, customer service or equivalent.
• Intermediate data analysis and/or bioinformatics experience in any relevant languages, including: R, Python, MATLAB.

Please apply via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/cap/view/1541356471/) or send your resume to info@phitonex.com