Science Jobs in Saco, ME (NOW HIRING)

The Genomics group in the Discovery Tech Futures, R&D, is seeking a highly motivated Genomics Staff Scientist with exceptional next generation sequencing (NGS) skills and demonstrated experience leading and developing scientific teams. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the onsite NGS operations, including the design and execution of protocols, instrument operation, management and delivery of the data. In addition to technical leadership, this role carries direct people management responsibilities: the Staff Scientist will supervise, mentor, and support the professional growth of a small team of scientists and research associates, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture within the Genomics group. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in utilizing high-throughput next generation sequencing instruments/platforms such as Illumina and Nanopore. The successful candidate will be energetic, inquisitive, and excel in a highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment. The successful candidate will join a team of experienced scientists to support cutting-edge genomics projects, bringing both hands-on technical expertise and the leadership skills needed to coordinate team workflows, set priorities, and ensure project milestones are met.

At IDEXX, cutting edge technologies in genomics is playing an increasingly important role in advancing pet health diagnostics, and this position directly contributes to that work. As a Staff Scientist in Genomics group, you won't just lead and manage NGS group: you will own the NGS infrastructure that leads to molecular assay development across the Discovery pipeline. Your work will directly enable accurate diagnoses for millions of pets, the veterinarians and pet owners who care for them.

• You have led or mentored a team of scientists and research associates, guiding technical direction while helping others grow their NGS skills.

• You have worked cross-functionally with bioinformatics, assay development, and product teams to translate sequencing data into actionable scientific insight.

• You are a self-starter with experience managing complex multi-project workflows - balancing hands-on bench work with instrument oversight and cross-team deliverables.

• Your skillset spans the full NGS workflow: library prep (Illumina & Nanopore), sequencing operations, upstream QC, and data handoff to downstream analysis pipelines.

• You have helped organizations adopt emerging sequencing technologies - from evaluating new platforms to authoring SOPs that become the team's operating standard.

• Own end-to-end NGS operations, ensuring high quality data output for internal stakeholders.

• Lead NGS team on developing NGS workflows for Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms.

• Design and execute multi-platform sequencing strategies spanning whole-genome, targeted amplicon, RNA-seq, and single-cell applications to support Discovery research goals.

• Lead troubleshooting efforts for library prep failures, run quality outliers, and instrument issues - documenting root cause analysis and corrective actions in the lab knowledge base.

• Serve as the primary technical liaison between the Genomics group and bioinformatics partners, defining data formats, QC thresholds, and handoff standards for downstream analysis pipelines.

• Author and maintain SOPs, technical reports, and experimental summaries with the rigor expected in a regulated R&D environment.

• Evaluate emerging NGS technologies and reagent kits - building internal validation frameworks and presenting findings to scientific leadership with clear recommendations.

• Mentor scientists and research associates on NGS techniques, supporting a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning within the team.

• Present data, technical strategies, and project updates to diverse audiences including project teams and leadership.

• Ensure full compliance with IDEXX safety, ethical conduct, and materials handling standards in all laboratory activities.

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genomics, or a closely related discipline with a least 5-7 years of industry experience in an NGS role, particularly in oncology NGS, is required.

• Hands-on proficiency with Illumina (NovaSeq, NextSeq, MiSeq) and Oxford Nanopore instruments, including instrument operation, maintenance, and flow cell management.

• Proven experience with diverse library types: WGS, targeted amplicon, RNA-seq, single-cell, and low-input protocols from DNA and RNA across varying sample quality levels.

• Proficiency in upstream data QC tools (FastQC, MultiQC), familiarity with downstream analysis concepts, and ability to interpret bioinformatics outputs to inform experimental decisions.

• Track record of working effectively in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams. Excellent written and oral communication skills; comfortable presenting to scientific and non-scientific audiences.

• Experience with PCR-based assay development, single-cell sequencing (10x Genomics or equivalent), and/or knowledge of veterinary or diagnostic applications of genomics technologies is preferred.