Senior Laboratory Automation Scientist

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About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments finding cures and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at are searching for the best talent for a Senior Laboratory Automation Scientist to be located in Spring House PA.

Purpose: The Senior Laboratory Automation Scientist owns scientific automation readiness for one or more integrated workcells. The role translates complex biological biochemical analytical and screening workflows into executable automated sequences that preserve sample identity scientific intent data context and downstream decision value.

The Senior Scientist will lead design integration qualification optimization and lifecycle support of integrated laboratory automation workcells for discovery and analytical workflows with explicit responsibility for scientific operability handoffs method robustness data provenance exception recovery user adoption and workflow readiness.

This role is complementary to the Senior Automation and Robotics Engineer. The scientist owns the workflow method sample logic data context and user adoption; the engineer owns the physical system machine behavior robot motion safety serviceability and engineering acceptance.

You will be responsible for:

Workcell Architecture and Scientific Design

• Leading translation of scientific workflows into process maps sample flows consumable flows method logic instrument sequences metadata needs analytical outputs data handoffs and scientific decision points.
  

• Designing and deploying integrated workcells combining liquid handlers plate handling devices washers centrifuges incubators readers storage systems barcode readers labelers analytical instruments and orchestration software.
  

• Defining method transfer strategy from manual to automated execution including pipetting approach tolerance assumptions deck layout consumable selection reagent stability timing constraints controls and acceptance criteria.
  

• Leading UAT design for nominal workflows edge cases sample exceptions data handoffs intervention paths recovery cases and user acceptance.
  

Inter-Workcell Integration and Data Provenance

• Owning upstream and downstream handoff requirements for assigned workcells including labware compatibility sample format timing constraints temperature or sterility constraints storage conditions queue logic and data handoff expectations.
  

• Defining sample labware consumable reagent waste intermediate product and run state requirements for assigned workcells.
  

• Partnering with IT data science AI and laboratory informatics teams to define metadata sample lineage experimental provenance data integrity checks file transfer expectations and model-ready outputs.
  

• Supporting integration control documentation between workflows workcells orchestration layers ELN LIMS GDB data platforms analytical systems and vendor software.
  

Recovery Governance and Sustainment

• Designing recovery logic for failed runs interrupted workflows missing samples failed transfers sample rescue plate quarantine rerouting pause/resume situations and manual interventions.
  

• Leading troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex issues spanning method performance liquid handling consumables assay response scheduling sample tracking metadata data capture and user behavior.
  

• Supporting vendor selection Tier 1 and Tier 2 coordination FAT SAT UAT risk assessments readiness reviews hypercare planning training and lifecycle support.
  

• Driving continuous improvement based on run metrics failure mode analysis user feedback scientific output quality throughput hands-on time and data completeness.
  

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support technology evaluations proof-of-concept studies workflow readiness assessments user demonstrations and vendor evaluations for future automation capabilities.
  

• Contribute to laboratory automation standards workflow templates data handoff expectations training materials and playbooks.
  

• Support audit inspection or quality documentation requests where automated scientific workflows intersect with regulated or quality driven environments.
  

• Participate in lessons learned and continuous improvement activities to improve future automation delivery and adoption.
  

Qualifications/Requirements

Education:

• A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Biology Biochemistry Molecular Biology Biotechnology Analytical Sciences Laboratory Automation Engineering Computer Science or related field is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
  

Experience and Skills:

Required:

• Bachelors degree with 6 years Masters degree with 4 years PhD with 2 years of relevant experience in laboratory automation scientific automation analytical automation or workcell integration.
  

• Demonstrated understanding of laboratory workflows sample handling plate/tube formats assay execution consumable preparation run documentation and data capture.
  

• Hands-on or practical experience with automated liquid handlers or integrated laboratory automation equipment appropriate to the level of the role.
  

• Ability to translate scientific workflows into executable automated methods worklists run states exception pathways and user-facing procedures.
  

• Working knowledge of sample identity labware identity reagent identity consumable state barcode traceability metadata capture and downstream data requirements.
  

• Ability to collaborate with scientists automation engineers IT data science AI EHS facilities vendors and laboratory operations.
  

• Experience developing and implementing automated laboratory workflows or high-throughput methods.
  

• Experience with inter-workcell handoffs method qualification user training exception recovery technical documentation and lifecycle support.
  

Preferred:

• Experience with ELN LIMS GDB data lakes request tracking APIs scripting device drivers scheduling logic biosafety contamination control simulation digital twin methods FAIR data or structured metadata.
  

• Experience with biologics discovery protein production/purification NGS biophysics cell-based assays screening analytical development or protein characterization workflows.
  

• Experience with orchestration software such as Biosero Green Button Go Cellario Momentum or equivalent systems.
  

Other:

• Travel may be required for vendor assessments FAT/SAT activities site visits system builds workshops training technology scouting or cross-site deployment support.
  

Why Join Us

This role supports the transition from isolated automation projects to integrated reliable AI-native and ultimately self-driving discovery laboratory systems. The work helps connect scientific intent with robust physical execution reproducible data model feedback and scalable operational capability.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity age national origin disability protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation external applicants please contact us via internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

If you are under 18 years of age you (the candidate) may need to obtain the necessary working papers or other documentation required by state law to start the assignment as well as get a parents consent for the background check.

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