Job Information
United Therapeutics Associate Scientist, Genomics in Blacksburg, Virginia
California, US residents click here (https://www.unither.com/docs/UNITHER%20Applicant%20Notice%20-%20%2812-22-23%29%20Final%202.15.24%20Combined%20EN%20and%20French.pdf#page=9) .
The job details are as follows:
What We Do
We build on the strength of our research and development expertise and a distinctive, entrepreneurial culture that encourages diversity, innovation, creativity, sustainability, and, simply, fun. Since inception, our mission has been to find a cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension and other life-threatening diseases. Toward this goal we have successfully gained FDA approval for five medicines, we are always conducting new clinical trials, and we are working to create an unlimited supply of manufactured organs for transplantation.
We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation (PBC). Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through (a) the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and (b) technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs. At the same time, we seek to provide our shareholders with superior financial performance and our communities with earth-sensitive energy utilization.
Our company was founded by an entrepreneur whose daughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. She sought to find treatment options and a cure for her daughter and patients like her. We are founder-led, and relentless in our pursuit of “medicines for life”. We continue to research and develop treatments for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and other orphan diseases.
How you’ll contribute
The Associate Scientist, Genomics will contribute to critical projects in the genomics area of Xenotransplantation. This role involves collaboration with scientific staff and management to advance our operational pipeline through innovative sequencing technologies and data analysis. This position will develop and implement pipelines for short read and long read genome sequencing technologies. The success of this position depends on the ability to interact with Biologists and Bioinformaticians to generate and or analyze the data using a wide range of platforms such as Illumina Miseq, Novaseq, Oxford Nanopore and PacBio Revo in a fast-paced environment.
Contribute to critical projects essential for the operational pipeline in genomics.
Prepare NGS-ready libraries using commercially available kits and coordinate with team members for sequencing execution.
Conduct routine amplicon sequencing for screening colonies and transgenic pigs, adhering to established SOPs.
Sequence multicistronic vectors and DNA fragments used in cell transfections using Oxford Nanopore's long-read sequencing platform or Illumina's short-read sequencing platforms.
Develop sequence analysis workflows utilizing coding language such as Python and Jupyterlab.
Create a Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and adaptive sampling sequencing pipeline for transgenic pig genomes on Oxford Nanopore sequencing platform (MinION, PromethION P2).
Develop assays for RNA sequencing, metagenomics, and genome-wide methylation profiling Independently execute library preparations for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore platforms.
Utilize computational analysis software (e.g., SnapGene, MacVector, EPI2ME) for sequence analysis.
Develop fragment analyzer assays (Agilent) for CRISPR/Cas9 edits and NGS library QC checks.
Perform ddPCR for measuring copy number in porcine genome in transgenic cell lines and genomic DNA Isolate DNA, RNA, and protein from flash-frozen tissue samples and cell pellets.
Quantify nucleic acids and proteins using methods such as Nanodrop, Qubit, and BCA.
Conduct quality control analyses (UV absorbance, gel electrophoresis) Interface with bioinformatics personnel to run command line scripts using Python, R, and cloud computing platforms such as AWS
Collaborate with scientific staff to develop overall plans to include daily research plans and execute experiments independently, and also to develop and implement short-read and long-read sequencing pipelines
Attend and present data as SME at internal and external meetings, including regulatory authority interactions and with other collaborators
Contribute to research publications, patents, conference abstracts, SOPs, regulatory filing and analytical assay validation reports
Troubleshoot instruments and assays as required; maintain a clean and organized lab environment, including routine maintenance, ordering supplies, and inventory management. Maintain digital and physical sample inventories of DNA samples for sequencing.
All other duties as required
For this role you will need
Minimum Requirements
Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, or other relevant biological science
3+ years of experience in NGS technologies and Bioinformatics tools with a Master's Degree or
1+ years of experience in NGS technologies and library preparation, and in writing scripts in Python for analyzing NGS data with a PhD
Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication skills for data presentation and collaboration with cross-functional teams
Knowledge of various sequencing technologies and hands-on experience with NGS platforms
Proficiency in computational analysis using Python, R, and bioinformatics tools
Familiarity with CRISPR/Cas9 techniques and ddPCR
Experience with DNA sequence alignments and sequence analysis software (e.g., SnapGene, MacVector, IGV)
Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail
Ability to follow protocols, SOPs, and document key data effectively
Adaptable to changing environments with strong multi-tasking abilities
Experience or familiarity with NextGen sequencing-ready libraries and different sequencing platforms such as Illumina’s Miseq, Novaseq and Oxford Nanopore MinION Mk1b/c, PromethION, and GridION
Proficient in common molecular biology techniques, including buffer preparation, mini-preps, maxi-preps, restriction enzyme digestions, gel electrophoresis, and DNA quantitation
Experience in running RT-PCR, recombinant DNA techniques (including vector construction), and Western blots
Experience with DNA sequence alignments and sequence analysis software (e.g., SnapGene, MacVector, IGV)
Preferred Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, or other relevant biological science
Strong experience with NGS technologies and library preparation
Experience in working with cloud computing platform like AWS, Base space
Experience or familiarity with sequencing platforms and software such as Illumina MiSeq, Oxford Nanopore’s MinKNOW, and PromethION P2 Solo or P2 Integrated
At United Therapeutics, you’ll realize quickly that it is not an ordinary place to work! When you join our company, you will learn, grow, contribute, have fun, and be challenged... all while making a difference in the lives of our patients.
Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities
While United Therapeutics does not require vaccination for Covid-19 at this time, we strongly encourage all employees and visitors to remain up to date on vaccinations and boosters to protect one another from illness. Employees working in customer-facing roles must adhere and comply with customers’ credentialing guidelines, which may require vaccination against Covid -19, the influenza virus, and other illnesses that could be harmful to healthcare staff and patients.
United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - EOE Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities
We strive to be an organization that engages the minds, hearts, and most spirited efforts of each of our employees. Our sense of purpose transforms what we do from work into mission, occupation into vocation and achievement into success.
We challenge our employees with innovative and revolutionary projects, offer an environment which fosters high-level job performance and provide a highly competitive total rewards package. This is what makes United Therapeutics a stimulating place to work.