Day Zero Diagnostics (DZD) is an exciting 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 Duties:

Note: This is a primarily wet laboratory position, likely ~70%/30% lab/office.  A purely bioinformatics-based background is not appropriate for this role. 

• Conduct DNA sequencing bench workflows - library prep and DNA sequencer operation (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore)
• Work closely under the supervision of the Director of Sequencing Technologies, and coordinate with other Sequencing Technologies group Research Associates, as well as with Research Associates, Technicians/Technologist, and Scientists from other wet lab and computational groups in the company
• Collaboratively design and execute sequencing production and R&D workflows / experiments
• Maintain meticulous documentation of experimental procedures and outcomes
• Create and present internal analyses and reports
• Upon hire, be responsible for some supervisory functions of junior-level Research Associates in the lab.
• With growth in the company, be eligible for direct management roles of Research Associates / Technicians

Qualifications:

• BS/BA or MS in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics/genomics, biotechnology or related fields.
• 3-5 years of relevant academic and/or industry lab experience. 
• Direct prior experience conducting Illumina DNA library and instrument operation
• Prior experience in supervisory roles

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 other DNA sequencing platforms (Sanger, Pacific Bioscience, etc.) is welcomed, but not required/sufficient.
• Prior experience in a regulated lab (E.g. CLIA)
• Some familiarity with principles of bioinformatics, computational biology, other scientific software and programming, but this is not a bioinformatics or computational biology role.

This will be an engaging and rewarding role. It is imperative that you:

• Set objectives and plan work based on agreed outcomes  
• Meet deadlines and iteratively assess priorities to handle fluctuating workloads
• Work at exceptional levels of accuracy, attention to detail, and attention to safety
• Be flexible to occasionally work after hours when other alternatives aren’t available 
• Have excellent verbal, written, communication, organization, and time management skills

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.