Research Associate, Clinical Lab (Contract)

About the Role

In this laboratory role, you will be responsible for managing a biorepository to support DELFI’s development and validation studies, tracking and executing maintenance of laboratory equipment, and executing laboratory studies intended to validate NGS-based laboratory tests for cancer detection. You will be part of a cross-functional team working to launch regulated products for clinical use.

About Us

DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. (DELFI Diagnostics) is developing next-generation, blood-based tests that are reliable, accessible and deliver a new way to help detect cancer. Employing advanced machine-learning methods to whole-genome sequencing data, the DELFI ("DNA EvaLuation of Fragments for early Interception") platform is built to address the highest-burden health challenges. DELFI Diagnostics prioritizes solutions that have the potential to save lives on a global scale, including for historically underserved populations. DELFI Diagnostics’ platform relies on fragmentomics – the discovery that cancer cells are more chaotic than normal cells and, when they die, leave behind tell-tale patterns and characteristics of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments. FirstLook Lung, for individuals eligible for lung cancer screening, is DELFI Diagnostics’ first laboratory-developed screening test and can be part of routine blood work. FirstLook Lung uses millions of data points to reliably identify individuals who may have cancer detected through low-dose CT, including early stage disease with a negative predictive value of 99.7 percent. This test has not yet been cleared or approved by the FDA.

In our passionate pursuit to radically improve health outcomes, we serve humanity when we:

Lead with Science, Anchor in Pragmatism: We pioneer life-changing science by ensuring quality, transparency, and rigor at all times. We explore thoughtfully, experiment smartly, and deliver impact with conviction.

Build With & For All: We embrace diverse backgrounds to innovate and achieve together. We are not just building a product - we aim to disrupt the path of cancer for all - no matter geography or socioeconomic class 

Put We over I: We are a home for high-performing people. Through teamwork, we build collective intelligence. Each of us wins when those we serve and those who serve with us--win. We show up with empathy, humility, and integrity at every step of the journey.

• Manage a biorepository containing plasma and intermediate assay products, ensuring that samples are maintained in accordance with stability requirements and are organized to enable efficient sample pulls
• Organize, aliquot and prepare samples for shipment or internal laboratory studies
• Maintain a schedule for equipment maintenance and calibration, and execute on required activities personally or through vendors
• Contribute to high-quality laboratory test development by performing development, design verification, and design validation activities in the NGS Laboratory
• Mitigate potential safety concerns/harms by supporting risk management activities, including risk evaluation and implementation of control measures

• Achieve a level of organization in biorepository management that enables quick identification and pull of samples at any time
• Become an expert operator of DELFI’s NGS laboratory process
• Consistently maintain departmental laboratory equipment on the required schedule

• BS in relevant field (e.g., biomedical engineering, molecular biology, genetics, or genomics)
• Experience with biorepository management
• Experience with general biology laboratory equipment and techniques
• Ability to master use of software systems for laboratory management
• Diligence in implementing systems for laboratory management
• Skills in technical and non-technical communication
• Ability to master new concepts and skills quickly, with strong attention to detail

• Experience with automated liquid handling systems
• Direct experience in a regulated environment (CLIA, CAP, NYS, FDA, GXP, etc.)

DELFI is not open to submissions or partnerships with recruitment agencies or search firms.

An equal opportunity employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.