We are seeking a Research Associate to join our High-Throughput Sequencing laboratory at CSP Labs (California Seed and Plant Lab, Inc.). As a Research Associate (RA) in our High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) lab, you will be responsible for evaluating and implementing HTS technologies on a basis of cost and effectiveness to serve CSP Labs’ existing and prospective customers. HTS applications will include genotyping-by-sequencing and plant pathogen identification. We offer competitive pay and benefits including vacation time, an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, and health/dental/vision insurance. Position will be open until filled.

Company Profile

CSP Labs is a growth-orientated full-service plant pathology and plant genotyping laboratory located in Pleasant Grove, CA. We are known for our high quality, rapid seed and plant testing services serving a global customer base. The laboratory employs over 40 people in its seed health, plant health, molecular biology, and genotyping laboratories. To learn more, please visit csplabs.com. We are conveniently located in the Greater Sacramento area, 20 minutes from downtown Sacramento, 15 minutes from Sacramento International Airport, and 30 minutes from Davis, CA.

Responsibilities

• Work with various vendors to determine product offerings and match them to our customers’ needs and determine commercial viability
• Create detailed reports on cost comparisons of various products and service pipelines for review by lab leadership
• Develop protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for commercial HTS services starting with existing genotyping and pathology testing services
• Identify and write requirements documentation for software or other system automation needs to make HTS services commercially viable
• Develop bioinformatic pipelines to process and analyze HTS sequence data
• Collaborate with laboratory operations, software development, leadership, and R&D team members to adapt new protocols and automations systems for HTS services pipelines
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate and ultimately validate protocols for commercial use
• Work with customers, as needed or as directed, for development of and adaptation of new services, or assist laboratory operations with SOPs and troubleshooting
• Conduct training for laboratory staff to adapt newly developed protocols into laboratory operations, and assist with or lead troubleshooting efforts

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Plant Biology, or equivalent
• 2+ years of experience with High-throughput Sequencing: including at least wet lab work, bioinformatic analysis, experience with large datasets
• Familiarity with UNIX shell commands and scripting
• Experience with primer design

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSP Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.