Sr Scientific Support Specialist

Join our dedicated Scientific Support team at Unity Lab Services, providing tailored lab services and supply management.

About the role

This position is passionate about service delivery excellence within Unity Lab Services. Specific activities include order entry, order management, operating customer procurement systems, shipping/receiving, media/reagent preparation, and cell culture support operations.

Responsibilities

• Receive, process, assess quality of, accession and prepare human study and animal study specimens including tissues, plasmas, serums, whole blood, and PBMCs for distribution to clients and external analytical laboratories.
• Take inventory of specimens, record specimen discrepancies, and exhaust specimens in accordance with biohazard regulations.
• Use RTLIMS system as a database of specimens to ensure chain of custody.
• Maintain high-density archive room of FFPE tissues and tissue slides.
• Work closely with histology technicians, pathology department, human tissue sciences department, study managers, and project coordinators daily.
• Liaise with the media sciences department and shipping/receiving department to prepare, facilitate, and track shipments of tissue cell culture media to external vendors, including preparing proper documents for domestic and international shipping.
• Perform equipment verifications and maintain calibrations following customer and manufacturer protocols.
• Serve as the first point of contact for any specimen matters or concerns, including specimen quality, Service Level Agreements, and staff interactions.
• Maintain safety awareness by authoring Work Instructions, assisting with Job Hazard Assessments, and performing PPE assessments.
• Follow well-defined procedures as outlined by Best Practices, SOPs, and work instructions; take direction from Site Supervisor/Sr. Manager regarding daily duties.
• Analyze, maintain, and reconcile various customer and Thermo Fisher reports to ensure requirements are met.
• Assemble, communicate, and explain job or site-specific performance metrics to Direct Manager.
• Communicate customer issues or potential problems.
• Promote personal growth and development by staying abreast of new policies and enhancements.
• Listen to customer concerns, constructively diffuse dissatisfaction, and quickly identify a course of action with a goal of first call resolution within established turnaround times.
• Adopt Practical Process Improvement (PPI) methodologies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree in a related field (and HS Diploma or equivalent) required; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Proven verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• 2-3 years of dynamic proven experience preferred.
• Displays a high level of confidentiality for both customer and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• Experience in a GXP laboratory setting or services preferred.
• Proven excellence in customer service skills.
• Detail-oriented, problem solver, promotes team environment.
• Computer/software skills (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrate expertise in identifying inefficiencies in any process and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to instantly adapt to a flexible and changing schedule.
• Ability to self-manage and operate independently.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency in completing work assignments.
• Good time management and organizational skills.

Environmental Conditions

• Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance; regular lifting of 30-40 lbs (up to 50 lbs occasionally).
• Use of equipment like pushcarts and forklifts to move up to 100 lbs.
• Work in cold rooms/freezers at -22°F/-6°C.
• Laboratory setting with some degree of PPE required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs, etc.).
• Standing for full shift.
• Work with hazardous/toxic materials and chemical-based allergens like penicillin and tetracycline.
• Frequent standing, walking, and manual material handling of chemical containers, sometimes in varied temperature environments.
• Overtime work may be necessary.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare.
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits.
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave).
• Accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability.
• Retirement and savings programs, including a competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.

Pay

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $23.80–$35.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.