June 10th, 2020

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1) Research Systems Engineer II (click to apply)

 

The lab is looking for a staff software engineer to develop computational tools focused on lab automation of biological experiments related to COVID-19 screening, performed by experimentalists of the wet lab. The expert engineer will develop and improve computational software tools for the fully automated hardware workflow of the DAMP lab.

 

They will collaborate with biologists, engineers, designers, and lab managers to execute on a broad range of projects, from building new features to improve user experience, to architecting infrastructure to support a fast-­growing user base and research needs. Further, the candidate will program, create protocols, manage deployment, and maintain all computer hardware and software to ensure the smooth running of computer systems, under the direct supervision of the DAMP lab manager.

 

Job requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or other relevant life science fields.

• 4+ years of work experience in software development.

• Full Stack Web development experience (not minimal web development experience).

• Candidate skills should include multiple programming languages with the ability to switch between them, e.g., Python, Ruby on Rails, Java, PHP, Scala, and Go, with Swift, Kotlin, among others.

• Proficient in database programming and software development. Minimal experience with developing web applications using at least one popular web framework. You have robust experience building software on top of relational databases such as Postgres or MySQL.

• Ability to switch between different technologies and programming languages and create software development roadmaps and coordinate efforts between different development teams.

• Display good interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills

 

Candidate main responsibilities are:

• Ensure to be accountable to monitor entire product development after the system lifecycle for allotted products developed from scope plus product requirements. Solve technical problems at any level of the stack, and be persistent in getting to the solution, whether it involves front-end, back-end, or infrastructure work.

• Gather user requirements, defining system functionality, and writing code in various languages. Provide complete and proper design specifications defining a comprehensive understanding of architectural constraints and functional requirements. Utilize effectively all engineering tools to resolve complicated software defects.

• Develop engineering system required documents along with design software. Implement established procedures, along with work instructions. Conduct software coding, as well as unit testing. Report on entire project achievements and issues.

• Contribute to new ideas of a product as well as process innovation. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to plan and execute engineering projects.

• Develop computer scripts in Python and Ruby languages to create automated solutions for laboratory information management systems (e.g., Aquarium), for liquid handler robots, such as the ones present at the DAMP lab (e.g., Tecan and OT2-Opentrons).

• Organize and interpret computational datasets, generate and interpret charts and graphs, provide frequent and detailed scientific reports, and make sound scientific recommendations for improvements for the design and operation of lab experiments.

• Train students to work in the core facility and monitor their activities as they perform one or multiple of the responsibilities mentioned above.

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2) Research Computing Specialist I (click to apply)

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The expert technician will develop computational tools focused on lab automation associated with the work performed by wet lab members at the DAMP lab. Further, the candidate will program, create protocols, manage deployment, and maintain all computer hardware and software to ensure the smooth running of computer systems, under the direct supervision of the DAMP lab manager.

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Job requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or other relevant life science fields.

• 2+ years of work experience in computer networks and systems maintenance.

• Full Stack Web development experience (not minimal web development experience)

• Experience building scalable/cloud-based data management systems

• Ability to switch between different technologies and programming languages, and create software development roadmaps and coordinate efforts between different development teams

• Be familiar with the software development life cycle, from system analysis to tests and deployment, Git (for management of source code), basic algorithms, and object-oriented programming. 

• Display good interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

 

Candidate main responsibilities are:

• Gather user requirements, defining system functionality, and writing code in various languages, such as Python (for programming the robot automation) and Ruby on Rails (for the candidate willing to learn how to integrate python code with web services). 

• Develop computer scripts in Python and Ruby languages to create automated solutions for laboratory information management systems (e.g. Aquarium), for liquid handler robots, such as the ones present at the DAMP lab (e.g. Tecan and OT2-Opentrons), and for the design and fabrication of DAMP lab’s Microfluidics systems.

• Listen to users’ technical needs, troubleshooting to detect and solve technical problems, and implement solutions to them. 

• Act as a reference point for all IT related queries at the user level, responding to user needs in a timely manner and ensuring the optimal running of all systems, and installing and configuring computer software.

• Organize and interpret computational datasets, generate and interpret charts and graphs, provide frequent and detailed scientific reports, and make sound scientific recommendations for improvements for the design and operation of lab experiments.

• Responsible for maintaining the DAMP’s computer services and equipment. Work with Boston University, vendors, hardware company’s IT departments, providing computer support to find solutions for problems. Upgrade systems to enable compatible software on all computers.

• Finally, the candidate will have the opportunity to, closely with the lab manager, write scientific methods and reports for scientific journals.

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3) Laboratory Specialist I (click to apply)

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The individual will make use of computational tools and automated hardware to perform RNA-related procedures, such as RNA inactivation, extraction, purification, RT-qPCR assays. They will also employ DNA-related experimental methods, such as DNA assembly, purification, sequencing, cell transformation, and fluorescence characterization assays. Finally, the individual will assist other lab members, maintain equipment, monitor and order lab supplies, under the direct supervision of the DAMP lab manager.

 

Job requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or other relevant life science fields. 

• Combine expertise in both experimental techniques for cell and molecular biology protocols and programming languages. Experience with molecular and cellular biology (e.g. PCR, DNA assembly, Bacterial Transformation), and any coding language/programming expertise (e.g. MATLAB, Python).

• Prior experience working with automation and liquid handlers in a high-throughput environment.

• Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.

 

Candidate main responsibilities are:

• Apply computational tools and automated hardware to perform RNA-related experimental procedures, such as RNA inactivation, extraction, purification, and RT-qPCR assays. 

• Design assays and perform molecular biology protocols at the lab bench and in liquid handler robots (e.g., time, resources, reagents, and kits). Design and construct integrated-large constructs, from component-small DNA parts, using DNA assembly methods.

• Perform molecular biology protocols at the lab bench and liquid handler robots, from planning the whole experiment (i.e. time, resources, reagents, and kits), to designing and constructing integrated-large constructs, from component-small DNA parts, using DNA assembly methods (such as Gibson Assembly and MoClo). 

• Perform common bacterial cell culturing protocols for molecular cloning, plasmid DNA extraction, DNA sequencing, and fluorescence characterization assays, for on-going services and research projects locally and across the University.

• Execute and develop (when possible) computer scripts in Python and Ruby languages, to check for the possibility of automating particular molecular and cellular protocols (e.g. the ones mentioned above) using liquid handler robots such as the Tecan and OT2-Opentrons.

• Perform standard molecular cloning techniques based on restriction enzymes and bacterial cell transformation, which are essential for making multiple copies of a specific DNA, expressing large amounts of proteins and enzymes, and generating cDNA libraries in DNA sequencing procedures.

• Prepare and ship DNA materials for DNA sequencing by external vendors. Then, closely monitor QC results provided by their technical teams, identifying the possible problems in the original sequences or designs and constructions.

• Monitor and informing to lab manager of the need for purchasing lab supplies. Keeping track of lab inventory and updating the lab's order backlog doc (available in the lab) with the item description, amount, vendor link, and estimated costs.

• Train students to work in the core facility and monitoring their activities as they perform one or multiple of the responsibilities mentioned above.

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4) Clinical Laboratory Scientist (click to apply - soon)

 

Due to the increasing demand of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) patient and community sample testing in 2020, to increase the testing capacity of Boston University, the DAMP lab developed a dedicated large-scale facility for COVID-19 diagnostic infrastructure (DAMP-COVID lab), equipped with liquid handler robots, RT-qPCR machines, other automation pieces. The laboratory of Prof. Douglas Densmore is looking for a clinical lab technician to perform molecular biology experiments related to SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) screening in the Design, Automation, Manufacturing, and Prototyping (DAMP) laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Boston University.

 

At the DAMP-COVID lab, following the COVID-19 RT-qPCR screening method from CDC's guidelines, the expert technician will make use of computational tools and automated hardware to perform experimental tasks, such as RNA inactivation, extraction, purification, and RT-qPCR assays. They will develop and perform novel clinical tests in a CLIA-certified laboratory, working with other laboratory professionals from different academic and commercial laboratories. Further, they will perform DNA assembly, purification, sequencing, cell transformation, and fluorescence characterization assays. Finally, the individuals will assist in maintaining equipment, monitoring, and ordering lab supplies, under the direct supervision of the DAMP lab director.

 

Job requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or other relevant life science fields. 

• Knowledge of safe handling of biohazardous specimens and chemical reagents

• Training in clinical laboratory science as a generalist or limited license.

• Prior experience working with automation and liquid handlers in a high-throughput environment.

• Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.

• Knowledge in examinations from bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and molecular diagnostics fields.

• Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations related to the work area

 

Candidate main responsibilities are:

• Apply computational tools and automated hardware to perform experimental tasks, such as RNA inactivation, extraction, purification, and RT-qPCR assays.

• Perform analytical processing of specimens. Resolve technical specimen issues in preparation for analysis and sample storage and routine and non-routine assay problems

• Prepare and maintain accurate laboratory records. For example, perform established quality assurance procedures (quality control testing, instrument function checks, maintenance, and calibrations), maintain appropriate documentation, and report problems.

• Design assays and perform molecular biology protocols at the lab bench and in liquid handler robots (e.g., time, resources, reagents, and kits). Design and construct integrated-large constructs, from component-small DNA parts, using DNA assembly methods.

• Assist in the detection, definition, and control of infectious diseases. Prepare samples and infectious materials for transport according to current shipping regulations.

• Execute computer scripts, written in Python and Ruby languages, to check for the possibility of automating particular molecular and cellular protocols using liquid handler robots (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, and OT2-Opentrons).

• Perform standard molecular cloning techniques based on restriction enzymes and bacterial cell transformation, which are essential for making multiple copies of a specific DNA, expressing large amounts of proteins and enzymes, and generating cDNA libraries in DNA sequencing procedures.

• Supervise non-technical or semi-technical duties of laboratory technicians. Train students to work in the core facility and monitoring their activities as they perform one or multiple of the responsibilities mentioned above. Assist in instructing laboratory personnel in the principles and techniques of diagnostic tests and examinations. 

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