HTS Operations Team Lead

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of the soil microbiome, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in agriculture. Our products harness the power of naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops and new sustainable ways for farmers to reduce the usage of synthetic fertilizers as they work to help feed the world’s growing population.

Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour. 

Position: HTS Operations Team Lead 

Location: Berkeley, CA 

The Strain Analytics Team at Pivot Bio is looking for a High Throughput Screening (HTS) Operations Team Lead who is excited about the challenges of working with novel soil microbes in a high-impact, fast moving, and supportive team​ environment​.  

This position will advance Pivot Bio’s product discovery pipeline by planning, organizing, and executing high throughput experimentation using our robotic systems. The role will be key in the continual optimization and expansion of our HTS capabilities and be a lead in working with scientists to drive efficiency and accuracy in agricultural product discovery. This individual will drive projects forward and focus on the HTS production aspects of our cutting-edge tools and expand our capabilities across laboratory teams. 

The ideal candidate will have expertise in assay validation, scaling, operations management, scheduling, and establishing/monitoring statistical process controls. We are looking for someone who is energized by solving creatively and excited to tackle key agricultural challenges. 

Core Responsibilities: 

• Plan, organize, and execute high throughput workflows to assess performance of engineered microbial strains for agricultural applications.  
• Work with stakeholders in Strain Engineering, Fermentation & Formulation, and Regulatory to deliver high quality assay data that is in-spec and on time.  
• Become proficient at assigned automated workflows and error recovery within those workflows; use this knowledge to ensure success of screens. 
• Collaborate with Assay Development and Automation to onboard and maintain robust HTS workflows through use of robotic systems and statistical process control. 
• Work with stakeholders to define, establish, and monitor key performance indicators that speak to assay health and experimental success. 
• Operate laboratory automation to execute efficient, robust, high-throughput workflows. 
• Collaborate with the Computing team to build Benchling workflows for data tracking, dashboards, and reports. 
• Analyze large data sets and communicate results to stakeholders across teams. 
• Write and follow SOPs to deliver consistent, high-quality results. 
• Maintain a safe lab environment for yourself and others. 
• Ensure general lab upkeep and equipment maintenance. 
• Opportunity to mentor and manage junior team members as we expand capabilities and capacity of the HTS Operations team.  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• BS in biology, chemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or related field. 
• Minimum of 8 years of industry experience, preferably within an HTS operations environment, or equivalent amount of related experience. 
• Strong experience with liquid handling automated equipment and general microtiter plate handling automation. 
• Experience with automated assay screening and operations environments. 
• Experience in collaborating with customer groups to plan, schedule and execute HTS workflows. 
• Excellent oral and verbal communication skills with experience in collaborating in interdisciplinary teams. 
• Comfortable with data analysis skills and software; ability to draw conclusions and communicate results from large data sets. 
• Highly resourceful and comfortable working both independently and in a team environment. 
• Experience mentoring and/or managing junior members. 
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills. 
• ​​​Must be flexible and responsive to changing priorities. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience operating and troubleshooting chromatography. 
• Experience using JMP, Spotfire, or other data visualization and analysis software. 
• Experience using ​​​​ASANA. 
• Experience in statistical process control, failure mode analysis, root cause analysis, 5S, Six Sigma, and/or lean manufacturing. 

What we offer: 

• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team

*Internal employees, please apply by clicking on the Internal Job Board icon on NSIDER