Staff Scientist – Biophysics

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

You are excited to develop novel approaches to sequencing DNA. As a creative, first-principles experimentalist comfortable working at the interface between biology and physics, this biophysics/biochemist candidate has experience working with DNA, and/or in the study of DNA-processing enzymes such as polymerases and helicases. Single-molecule and biophysics experience preferred. Experience scripting or programming to discern new insights from data is a plus, as is comfort with setting up, troubleshooting, and working with new instrumentation. This role serves as the Singapore team lead and main point of contact between Singapore and US colleagues.
 
Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will design, execute and interpret single molecule experiments, utilizing an understanding of DNA, enzymes and biophysics.
• Effectively work within multidisciplinary international teams and routinely interact with synthetic chemists, protein chemists, bioinformatics scientists, and engineers to solve problems and devise experimental plans.
• Demonstrated ability to plan yearly milestones and goals for yourself and a small team.
• Demonstrated management and leadership of a small team, and comfortable working in a collaborative team environment.
• Mechanical aptitude to perform routine maintenance on custom instrumentation (Illumina will provide training).
• Innovate and devise creative solutions to difficult biophysics problems.
• Keep detailed lab notebooks, prepare reports, updates, and summaries for managers and team. Write technical reports and prepare presentations for cross functional and cross-site technical teams.

 
Requirements:

• PhD in biophysics, bioengineering, biochemistry, protein chemistry or related field.
• 5+ years of post-PhD hands-on experience with DNA-related biophysics experiments, DNA processing enzymes, or method development for DNA sequencing. Understanding of single molecule biophysics; interdisciplinary experience combining biochemistry and biophysics to address biological problems.
• Demonstrated ability to create roadmaps with milestones and goals for yourself and small team.
• 2 years of industry experience preferred
• Familiarity and comfort working with data collection systems, interpreting data sets, and troubleshooting experiments.
• Exceptional data interpretation skills and ability to study data to propose next steps, both for yourself and for more junior team members.
• Highly creative and inventive problem solver with a can-do attitude.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Highly collaborative team player.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Ability to maintain custom equipment (training will be provided).
• Ability to write scripts to process proprietary data.
• Experience working with international cross site teams.

Illumina believes that everyone has the ability to make an impact, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.