Assay Design Technologist

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.

We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day:“What would I do if this patient were my mom?”That question drives everything we do.

But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.

Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.

Position Summary

The Assay Design Technologist is responsible for operating and implementing automated workflow and assay design.  It may also involve designing and coordinating experiments, implementing experiments by working with a team of research associates, analyzing and summarizing results, communicating within and between other departments at Caris in addition to communicating with external vendors, and contributing to documentation and validation reports as needed. This position works under the supervision of the Director or above.

Job Responsibilities

• Use and apply automated assay design methods, workflows, and processes as needed by the company.
• Assay and method validation.
• Investigate, evaluate, and propose new approaches, methods, and technologies.
• Experimental implementation, management, coordination, troubleshooting, and analysis of results.
• Sample and reagent tracking as required.
• Performs experiments in a timely manner and presents results to supervisors.
• Coordinate validation testing and reports for new tool development.
• Present Scientific findings at in-house, local, national, or international meetings or through publications.
• Trains lab members as required.
• Communicates with different departments and vendors as required.
• Accepts other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Proficiency, experience, and knowledge of applicable bioinformatics tools for oligo-based assay design.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design, implementation, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Ability to present experiments and results to other team members and supervisors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excell, Outlook, general working knowledge of internet for business use.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Drive for Results (Service Quality and continues improvement)- ensure procedures and processes are in place and lead to quality results and continually reassess their effectiveness to achieve continuous improvement.
• Communication: proficient verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to share and receive information and ideas from all levels of the organization to achieve the desired results.
• Teamwork: commitment to the successful achievement of team and organizational goals. Proven ability to learn and collaborate with others in complex, multifunctional and specialty environments.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures for biohazards and chemicals as well as quality control procedures and regulations.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills. Proven attention to detail with effective organizational skills.
• 4 or more years of relevant experience with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience in digital PCR, droplet PCR, and quantitative PCR-based methods.
• Preferred experience in high-throughput processing, molecular assays, and automation.

Physical Demands

• Able to work both at a computer workstation and at the bench.
• Visual acuity and analytical skill to distinguish fine details. Ability to pass a visual color discrimination test.
• Manual dexterity to use common laboratory equipment and perform sterile techniques as required.
• Must possess ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Must possess ability to perform repetitive motion.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.
• May have exposure to high noise levels, fumes, and bio-hazardous materials in the lab environment. Exposure to formaldehyde, xylene, Clorox Bleach, DAB, and alcohol which emit fumes. The formaldehyde, xylene and DAB are carcinogenic.
• Able to handle blood and general laboratory reagents.

Training

• All job specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.

Other

• This position may require periodic travel and some evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• This position may require after-hours response to emergency issues.
• This position may require periodically scheduled on-call periods that may require after-hours response for technical emergencies, not explicitly related to assigned job responsibilities.

Conditions of Employment:  Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check( applicable for certain positions) and reference verification.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.