Sr Scientific Support Specialist

Join our dedicated Scientific Support team at Unity Lab Services, providing tailored lab services and supply management. This position is passionate about service delivery excellence within Unity Lab Services.

Responsibilities

• Receive, process, assess quality of, accession and prepare human study and animal study specimens not limited to tissues, plasmas, serums, whole blood, PBMCs for distribution to clients and external analytical laboratories.
• Take inventory of specimens, record specimen discrepancies, exhaust specimen in accordance with biohazard regulations.
• Use RTLIMS system as database of specimens and to ensure chain of custody of specimens.
• 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, while preparing proper documents for shipping domestically and internationally.
• Perform equipment verifications and maintain calibrations following customer and manufacturers 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 maintaining and authoring Work Instructions, assisting with Job Hazard Assessments, and performing PPE assessments.
• Follow well defined procedures as outlined by Best Practices, SOP’s & work instructions. Take direction from Site Supervisor/Sr. Manager regarding daily duties.
• Analyze/maintain/reconcile various customer and Thermo Fisher reports to ensure customer and Thermo Fisher requirements are met.
• Show strengths in assembling, communicating and explaining job or site-specific performance metrics to Direct Manager.
• Communicate any customer issues or potential problems.
• Promote personal growth and development by staying abreast of new policies and enhancements without the presence of site trainer and management team.
• Listen to customer concerns, constructively diffuse dissatisfaction, and quickly identify 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

• Associates Degree in 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 (i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrate expertise in the ability to identify 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.
• Work in Cold Room/Freezers at -22°F/-6°C.
• Laboratory setting with some degree of PPE required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs, etc.).
• Office environment.
• Standing for full shift.
• Will work with hazardous/toxic materials.
• Primarily involves working independently at customer sites, which may include areas with chemical-based allergens like penicillin and tetracycline.
• Regular lifting of 30-40 lbs (up to 50 lbs occasionally) and using equipment like pushcarts and forklifts to move up to 100 lbs.
• Standing, walking, and manual material handling of chemical containers are frequent activities, 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) offers eligible colleagues 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.