New 
Bench Scientist - III
 Spectraforce Technologies | |
 United States, Washington, Bothell | |
 Oct 01, 2026 | |
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Bench Scientist - III
Location: Bothell, WA (Canyon Park Site) Duration: 12-Month Contract (potential for extension based on business needs) Schedule: Onsite, Monday-Friday, approximately 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Hours: 40 hours/week Overtime: Not anticipated ________________________________________ What the Manager Is Looking For The manager is seeking a hands-on Automation Scientist/Bench Scientist who can immediately contribute to a busy wet lab environment supporting molecular biology and automation workflows. This is not a bioinformatics-focused position. While some software and data-related skills are beneficial, the primary need is someone with strong laboratory automation and molecular biology experience. The team is currently supporting increasing sample volume and needs an experienced scientist who can help implement, run, and improve automated laboratory processes. ________________________________________ Must-Have Qualifications * Automated liquid handling platforms * High-throughput sample processing * Method implementation and workflow optimization * Laboratory automation troubleshooting Hamilton experience is highly preferred Molecular Biology Experience * DNA extraction * RNA extraction * RT-PCR * Molecular biology sample preparation * Sample QC/quality control * Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) sample preparation * Genomic and transcriptomic characterization workflows Wet Lab Experience * Processing large volumes of samples * Following laboratory SOPs * Working in a BSL-2 environment Preferred Background * DNA/RNA extraction workflows * RT-PCR * Genomics * Hamilton liquid handling systems * Automated assay development * High-throughput screening * Cell culture experience is a plus * Experience working with CHO cells is especially desirable * Recombinant protein expression knowledge is beneficial ________________________________________ Day-to-Day Responsibilities * Operating Hamilton automation platforms * Running automated liquid handling workflows * Developing and implementing new laboratory methods * Processing samples received from multiple sites * Performing DNA and RNA extraction * Preparing samples for sequencing workflows * Running RT-PCR assays * Conducting sample QC and validation activities * Supporting characterization of engineered cell lines * Assisting with scaling laboratory automation processes ________________________________________ High-Value Nice-to-Haves * Python programming * Snowflake database experience * SQL experience * Workflow automation * Scientific data analysis * CHO cell handling * Recombinant protein expression * Additional cell culture experience Candidate Ranking Guide Top Candidate * 5+ years of molecular biology experience * Hands-on Hamilton automation experience * DNA/RNA extraction expertise * RT-PCR and NGS sample preparation experience * Cell culture experience * Python and/or SQL experience Strong Candidate * Strong molecular biology background * Automation experience with another liquid handling platform * DNA/RNA extraction and PCR experience * Exposure to NGS workflows Acceptable Candidate * Strong wet lab molecular biology experience * Limited automation experience but demonstrated ability to learn Hamilton systems quickly Red Flags * No automation experience * Limited molecular biology background * Primarily computational or bioinformatics-focused experience * Pure software/data science background * Gene-editing research focus without relevant automation workflow experience | |