Job Description

SOFTWARE ENGINEER II, LIMS AUTOMATION

The MISSION of the ALLEN INSTITUTE is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the ALLEN INSTITUTE focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Immunology is to advance the fundamental understanding of human immunology through the study of immune health and diseases where excessive or impaired immune responses drive pathological processes. The Institute will employ a multi-disciplinary team approach in collaboration with academic centers of human immunology to GENERATE NOVEL MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS into the immune synapse in health and in diseases such as autoimmunity or oncology. The Institute will simultaneously provide a FOUNDATIONAL DATA SET and tools for future immunological research as well as a novel collaboration portal for the broader scientific community.

The Allen Institute for Immunology is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Liquid-handling instrument/Automation engineer with an interest in human biology to support the development and configuration of our internal LIMS system and integration with liquid-handling robots for laboratory processes.  This position will work closely with the laboratory exploratory and pipeline teams, laboratory operations, and software development teams to implement software and process solutions integral to the Allen Institute for Immunology current and future roadmaps.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The LIMS-Automation Engineer will be part of the laboratory operations team and be responsible for working with the end users to define and draft requirements, development, testing, and deploying solutions to the LIMS system to meet the Allen Immunology laboratory needs, as well as support ongoing process and systems development & integration with Tecan Fluent liquid handler, and work with the software development teams for integration with downstream systems & software applications.

• Draft requirements, design, and testing documentation for LIMS development according to the laboratory process
• Develop, test, and implement custom scripts to meet laboratory LIMS requirements
• Work with the laboratory method development Lead to integrate LIMS with laboratory automation systems (Tecan Fluent)

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Biology or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 1 year of experience with strongly typed object-oriented languages such as Java
• Experience with web services, RESTful APIs
• Front end development experience (JavaScript, Groovy, and Python)
• Familiarity with standard software development best practices: source code control, unit testing, automated build environments
• Superior communication and documentation skills in a highly diverse cross-discipline environment
• Experience with automation/liquid handling robotics and integration with a LIMS system, generation of worklists and importing of results files

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 2-4 years of experience with strongly typed object-oriented languages such as Java
• Experience with LIMS systems and configuration of COTS software
• Experience with cloud based environments
• Experience with laboratory method and system development and working with different internal teams to support varying end user needs.
• Experience with software development lifecycle, quality assurance practices, and adherence to documentation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• May enter laboratory environment, including potential exposure to lasers, biohazards

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; lab equipment
• Working at a computer and using a mouse for extended periods of time

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This role is currently working onsite and remotely when possible, due to COVID-19 and our focus on employee safety. We continue to evaluate the safest options for our employees.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

• Please note, this opportunity DOES sponsor work visas

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.