Associate Automation Engineer

The Associate Automation Engineer is a key player within the High-Content Screening (HCS) team at the Single Cell Biology Lab (SCBL) in The Jackson Laboratory for Genetics Medicine. SCBL is a core research facility that supports the scientific community by providing cutting-edge technologies, including single-cell omics, spatial omics, and high-content screening. This position is responsible for ensuring the robust and reliable operation of our automated laboratory work cell.

The ideal candidate will combine strong troubleshooting skills with innovative process development to drive high-quality, reproducible data generation essential for our HCS projects. This role requires technical expertise in liquid handling and robotic systems with a focus on Hamilton platforms, along with effective collaboration across interdisciplinary teams and a passion for scientific automation

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• System Reliability & Maintenance: Ensure the continuous, high-quality operation of the automated HCS work cell through expert troubleshooting of hardware and software issues.
• Preventative Maintenance: Execute comprehensive routine maintenance on a diverse array of automated equipment, including robotic arms, liquid handlers, decappers, incubators, and centrifuges.
• Workflow Development: Collaborate with the HCS team to augment existing processes or design and implement innovative liquid handling solutions to meet the needs of new screening workflows.
• Vendor Management: Work proactively with external vendors to ensure optimal performance, orchestration, and service continuity for all instruments within the automated work cell.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain meticulous documentation of methods, protocols, work logs, scripting, and troubleshooting efforts to ensure reproducibility and knowledge sharing.
• Technology Evaluation: Assist in the evaluation and testing of emerging automation technologies and platforms to identify opportunities for system enhancement and future capabilities.
• Project Execution: Directly contribute to the successful automation and execution of HCS projects

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, or a related scientific field.
• Experience: 1+ years of experience in lab automation, or significant exposure/experience in developing, maintaining, or operating automated laboratory instrumentation.
• Liquid Handling: Deep hands-on proficiency with Hamilton automated liquid handling platforms, including method development, protocol optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Programming: Demonstrated experience with programming and scripting languages used to build and manage workflows on robotic instruments and liquid handlers.
• Teamwork & Communication: Excellent communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary scientific team.
• Mindset: A strong "can-do" attitude, a hands-on "doer" mentality, and a foundational understanding of biology coupled with a passion for science and eagerness to learn.

Preferred

• Wet-Lab Proficiency: Practical experience in a laboratory environment, including familiarity with sterile technique and basic cell culture methods.
• Industrial or Core Facility Experience: Experience working within a core facility or industrial setting is preferred.
• Specific Domain Experience: Prior experience in High-Content Screening (HCS), cell biology, or drug screening campaigns.
• Protocol Writing: Experience in writing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Education: Bachelor's degree required/ Bachelor's degree preferred

Experience: 1 year required/ 3 years preferred

Supervisory: none

Pay Range: $60,618 - $78,803

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.