Scientist/Senior Manager

Day Zero Diagnostics (DZD) is an exciting startup revolutionizing infectious disease diagnostics, by leveraging cutting-edge sample prep technologies, whole genome sequencing and machine learning. We are building the next generation of IVDs, able to perform comprehensive bacterial species ID and antimicrobial resistance and susceptibility (AMR/S) profiling in less than 8 hours of sample receipt, without the need for culture.

Our first application is for Sepsis. Sepsis is responsible for about a third of hospital deaths and costs hospitals in the US about $24B annually. Using the current culture-based approach for pathogen ID and AST that takes 2-5 days and has a 40% failure rate, patients with Sepsis are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, leading to significant toxicity, higher rates of organ injury, increased risk of c. difficile infection, and contributing to the growth of the antibiotic resistance problem, globally.

By providing an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis within the first cycle of treatment, patients can get appropriate antibiotic therapy for systemic infections such as sepsis, reducing hospital treatment durations and costs while positively impacting patient outcomes.

At DZD, we are passionate about our mission of modernizing infectious diseases diagnosis and treatment. Employees gain experience in a multidisciplinary and fast-paced start-up, and have ample opportunities to acquire new skills, engage with emerging technologies, work closely with our accomplished team, and communicated their results, all while working in a supportive and energetic environment.

Job Summary

Day Zero Diagnostics is seeking an experienced and dedicated Scientist/Senior Manager to lead our outstanding Sequencing Technologies Team. The ideal candidate will have ~6-10 years of demonstrated excellence in the laboratory (academic and/or industry) performing DNA Sequencing workflows and previous direct managerial experience.

Located in DZD’s new, state-of-the-art facility in Watertown, MA, the ideal candidate will play a key role in adding to the company’s mission to revolutionize infectious disease diagnostics. This role provides opportunities for professional development and acquisition of new skills in a cutting-edge sequencing-based infectious disease diagnostics company.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and be responsible for DNA sequencing bench workflows – DNA extraction, library prep and DNA sequencer operation (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore), both manual and automated. Primarily responsible for leading and optimizing high volume production sequencing workflows.

• Work closely with and under the direct supervision of the Sr. Director, Lab Services and Platform Expansion.

• Directly manage a team of Sequencing Research Associates/Technicians.

• >50% hands-on time in the lab executing and overseeing experiments.

• Work collaboratively across all wet-lab, computational, and engineering groups.

• Capable of thoughtful experimental design and execution for Sequencing R&D project requirements.

• Maintain meticulous documentation of methods and outcomes.

• Ensure QC checkpoint review and monitor quality indicators across workflows.

• Draft, validate, and implement sequencing operating procedures.

• Create and present internal analyses and reports within and across Teams, Departments, and Leadership.

• Attend collaborator or Lab Services client meetings to communicate findings or provide sequencing consultation.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics/genomics, or closely related fields plus 1-4 years of relevant academic/industry experience post graduation

• Alternative requirement: MS in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics/genomics, or closely related field plus 7-10 years of relevant academic/industry experience post graduation

• 1-2 years in supervisory/direct management roles of entry-level employees

• Direct experience/expertise conducting wet lab Illumina DNA library prep and instrument operation. This is a mandatory qualification.

• Direct experience with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) library prep and instrument operation is ideal but not required. However, conceptual knowledge of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) library prep and instrument operation is expected of candidates.

• Prior demonstrable experience in Project Management with ability to meet deadlines and assess priorities to handle fluctuating workloads

• Work at the highest levels of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Have excellent verbal, written, communication, organization, and time management skills.

• Experience with standard productivity tools required (Microsoft Office, Google Suite). Experience with other software applications used in data analysis (graphing, statistical, etc.) will be an advantage. Comfortable learning and/or implementing new productivity tools, including LIMS.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with lab liquid handling automation (liquid handling robotics) especially in the context of use for high throughput NGS library prep.

• Experience with microbial and microbiome sequencing is strongly preferred, but experience with other organisms (human, animal, plant) will also be considered qualifying.

• Experience with other DNA sequencing platforms (Sanger, Pacific Bioscience, etc.) will be considered a plus.

• Prior experience in a regulated lab (E.g. CLIA, CAP, GMP, etc) is considered a plus.

• Some familiarity with principles of bioinformatics, computational biology, other scientific software, and programming will be beneficial, but this is not a bioinformatics or computational role.