Staff Scientist, Genomics

About CooperSurgical

CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most in life. CooperSurgical is at the forefront of delivering innovative assisted reproductive technology and genomic solutions that enhance the work of ART professionals to the benefit of families. We currently offer over 600 clinically relevant medical devices to women's healthcare providers, including testing and treatment options.

CooperSurgical is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO). CooperSurgical, headquartered in Trumbull, CT, produces and markets a wide array of products and services for use by women's health care clinicians. More information can be found at www.coopersurgical.com.

Job Summary

The Staff Scientist, Genomics is a technical subject matter expert position that will be involved in all aspects of CooperSurgical’s Genomics product portfolio which includes reproductive preimplantation genetic testing for segmental rearrangements (PGT-SR), monogenic diseases (PGT-M), and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) testing with a pioneering mathematical algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to improve genetic testing analysis and reporting. 

The Life Sciences team provides a setting for R&D professionals to be involved in cutting edge scientific advances via product development and engineering projects that have a real impact on patients utilizing CooperSurgical products and services. This role operates in a dynamic environment, and it is expected to manage complex tasks while ensuring technical rigor and functional excellence. 

Our Staff Scientists are subject matter experts and leaders who are embracing full ownership of research and development workstreams. This bench scientist position will contribute directly to improvements and extensions of existing CooperSurgical Genetic testing product offerings, work closely with Operations and Quality teams to provide ongoing support activities, and collaborate cross-functionally to meet CooperSurgical’s business objectives and future growth aspirations in the Life Sciences product portfolio.

This position reports to the Director, Life Sciences R&D and it is based in Houston, TX or Livingston, NJ.

Essential Functions and Accountabilities: 

• Perform hands-on, wet lab experiments to evaluate existing genetic testing assays, leading to assay improvements or extensions of current product lines for PGT-A, PGT-M and PGT-SR. Use scientific methods and best practices for experimental protocol design, execution, data analysis and results interpretation.  
• Analyze and interpret genetic testing output from data analysis pipelines to assess data quality, support the interpretation of sequencing results and identify trends for optimization. Aid in troubleshooting and root-cause analysis, and devise solutions and approaches for solving technical problems to improve genetic testing performance in an inclusive and collaborative fashion.
• Define technical strategies for an adequate verification and validation approach for genetic testing product line extensions or modified and improved assays. Drive successful verification and validation testing.
• Drive technology transfer and implementation of Genetic product line extensions or assay improvements at clinical testing facilities. Will include authoring or contributing to development of SOPs, work instructions etc. and training of site personnel. 
• Project and/or task management of R&D workstreams associated with Genomics related initiatives. 
• Provide Commercial and Operational support through investigations, scientific studies, white papers, manuscript publication of results.  
• Lead from the bench to train, mentor, and provide technical direction to more junior scientists and team members as appropriate. 
• Contribute to the assessment of new opportunities, acquisition targets, competitive products, and Intellectual Properties (IP’s) to aid competitiveness and differentiation of our business offerings.
• Effectively and timely communication of progress status updates to team members, cross-functional partners, stakeholders, and managers.
• Communicate with parties external to the organization (e.g. vendors, customers). 

Travel:

This role is site based, though domestic/regional travel may be required (<5%). 

Work Environment:

• Divided between office and laboratory work environment, which includes a manufacturing environment. 
• Position may at times require the employee to work in areas with bloodborne pathogens or where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
• At times will entail prolonged sitting i