Covid-19 Assessment Laboratory Scientist

This facility will be used for high throughput screening for COVID-19 screening of AstraZeneca Key Workers.
Staff within this laboratory will be expected to work a shift pattern to enable 16 hours a day operation across 5 days a week – Tuesday to Saturday and some weeks Mondays as well.
Hours are 7am-4pm, 8:30am-5:30pm or 12pm-9pm in a shifted pattern.

Please apply only if you are satisfied you can accommodate these shift patterns.

About the position
This role covers responsibilities in three main areas: the Sample Handling and the Molecular Biology Laboratories. Applicants flex across both areas as well as Data Analysis. The Lab Scientists are responsible for all process stages from arrival of human assessment specimens (saliva) at the sample handling labs to the transfer of virally inactivated samples to the adjacent molecular biology labs. This work is performed in the Biological Safety Level 2 (BSL2) containment facilities with appropriate PPE. The work in Molecular Biology Laboratories consists of all process stages from fully automated RNA extraction and RT-PCR workflows, data analysis and delivery of PCR based results. This work is performed at Biological Safety Level 1 (BSL1) laboratory with appropriate PPE. Applicants should be comfortable performing this process while using PPE.

Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include: visually inspecting specimens for packaging integrity (correct intact number of barrier layers, no evidence of leakage/spillage); assessment suitability (e.g., rejecting samples not properly labelled, containing foreign matter, incorrect volumes etc.); ensuring they are accounted for on the specimen manifest; following inspection, scanning into LIMS system; and transfer to racks for further processing in suitably contained liquid handling automation. Tube to plate transfer, sample lysis and inactivation will be performed on the automation, and once completed the plates will be transferred to the adjacent molecular biology laboratories. On occasion this process may be run manually requiring experience with manual pipetting. The operation of Beckman I series robotics to perform automated magnetic bead RNA extraction procedures; tracking samples through the LIMS system; RT-PCR reaction setup including manual pipetting as well as automated plate preparation using benchtop automation equipment; setting up molecular assays on qPCR instruments; analysis of results and transference to Data/QC analysts for subsequent downstream analysis and data reporting. Individuals will receive full technical and safety training for this whole process which will be performed to strictly defined COVID-19 laboratory SOPs.


Your profile
Key Requirements for this role:
• Work in BSL2 lab with previous experience of aseptic technique.
• Work in BSL1 lab with previous experience of automation and molecular biology techniques preferred.
• Work with human biological specimens. HepB Vaccination advised.
• Work with infectious samples, ideally experience with SARS-CoV-2 would be desirable
• Attention to detail to ensure chain of custody of samples, strictly adhering to SOPs
• Work with samples which may contain SARS-Cov-2 would be desirable.
• Experience of liquid handling automation would be desirable
• Working and communicating across a fast-paced cross organisational team.
• Experience with RT-PCR data analysis would be desirable

About the organisation
This position is a consultant assignment at AstraZeneca via QRIOS Life Science & Engineering in Göteborg for until 2022-06-30. During this time you will be employed by QRIOS Life Science & Engineering.

QRIOS employs curious experts in IT, Life Science and Engineering. We want to continue to attract the best employees, to continue to support our partners with the important competences you require. We are a recruitment and consulting company that is strongly inspired by those who never stop looking for new solutions. As we say, QRIOS MINDS GO FURTHER.