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, Cryo-storage is a technical subject matter expert position that will be involved in all aspects of CooperSurgical’s Cryo-storage product portfolio including human tissue and cell banking.
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 in the collection, processing and cryopreservation of human cells and tissues, 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.
The Staff Scientist, Cryo-storage is a technical subject matter expert position that will be involved in all aspects of CooperSurgical’s Cryo-storage product portfolio including human tissue and cell banking. 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 in the collection, processing and cryopreservation of human cells and tissues, 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.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- In-depth technical knowledge, proficiency and hands-on prior experience with key laboratory techniques for cell culture, stem cell biology, phenotype and functional analysis of cell populations (flow cytometry, ELISA, cell culture of specific stem/progenitor cell subsets, viability assessments, clonal expansion, demonstrated aseptic cell handling skills) as well as statistical methods is required.
- Track record and experience with equipment and processes used for cryopreservation will provide an advantage.
- Experience in process, method, or assay development and optimization with thorough understanding of verification and validation methods is required.
- Ability to plan activities and lead technical teams or work independently with minimal direction - required.
- Experience with Good Documentation Practices and ability to maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes required.
- Experience writing and authorizing SOPs, test methods, and reports required.
- Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office or equivalent applications) are required.
- Excellent interpersonal and effective communication skills with internal and external stakeholders ranging from fellow scientists and stakeholders within the company to external parties (customers, vendors etc).
Experience:
- 7+ years of relevant experience, depending on degree level, in product development, product engineering or relevant field within Medical Devices/Pharmaceutical Industry. Preferably in a scientist role.
Education:
- Minimum life science and/or clinical education background (B.A. or B.S).
- Preferred, advanced graduate degree (PhD) in relevant scientific field such as molecular and cellular biology, immunology, biomechanical engineering, or similar life sciences field OR a Masters degree in similar fields with at least 4-7 years relevant experience.
As an employee of CooperSurgical, you'll receive an outstanding total compensation plan. As we believe your compensation goes beyond your paycheck, we offer a great compensation package, medical coverage, 401(k), parental leave, fertility benefits, paid time off for vacation, personal, sick and holidays, and multiple other perks and benefits. Please visit us at www.coopersurgical.com to learn more about CooperSurgical and the benefits of becoming a member of our team.
To all agencies: Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee of CooperSurgical about this opening. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at CooperSurgical via-email, the internet or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of CooperSurgical, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by CooperSurgical for this position and a valid agreement with CooperSurgical is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of the CooperSurgical agency engagement process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Essential Functions and Accountabilities:
- Perform hands-on wet lab testing to evaluate and improve existing methods for collection, processing, and cryopreserving human cells and tissues, leading to enhancements of current Cryo-storage product offerings. Use scientific methods and best practices for experimental protocol design, execution, data analysis and results interpretation.
- Analyze and interpret data to solve challenges in the processing and cryopreservation of human cell and tissues, identify trends for optimization of workflow and/or product quality within Cryo-storage operational facilities. Aid in troubleshooting and root-cause analysis, and devise solutions and approaches for solving technical problems to improve Cryo-storage process performance or product quality in an inclusive and collaborative fashion.
- Own cell line and culture processes within Life Sciences R&D. Increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cell-based work for multi-disciplinary Life Sciences R&D projects, through industry best practices for cell characterization and visualization, cell culture, and cryopreservation procedures.
- Management of the Research and Development repository of research donated human tissues, cells, and cell lines. This includes acquisition, characterization, inventory management and distribution to external partners, with documentation for chain of custody and chain of identity, as applicable.
- Define technical strategies for an adequate verification and validation approach for Cryo-storage process modifications or improved assays. Drive successful verification and validation testing.
- Project and/or task management of R&D workstreams associated with Cryo-storage 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).
- Drive technology transfer and implementation of Cryo-storage process improvements or assay modifications at operational facilities. Will include authoring or contributing to development of SOPs, work instructions etc. and training of site personnel.
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 will 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 in front of a computer.
- Willingness to adjust work schedule to meet the demands of the company including occasional non-business-hour, weekend and/or holiday work.
