Scientist I - Cell & Microbiology

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Scientist I - Cell & Microbiology for a contract/right to hire/direct placement assignment with one of our premier Pharmaceutical clients in Pleasanton, CA .

Responsibilities :

• Play a key role in cultivating, characterizing, and managing biological materials that enable firm's research and development efforts.
• Part of the Biospecimen Acquisition and Management (BAM) team, a specialized scientific function within firm Diagnostic Solutions responsible for the acquisition, characterization, production, and lifecycle management of biological materials used throughout the product development lifecycle. Leveraging expertise in microbiology, mammalian cell culture, and biospecimen management, the team delivers high-quality biological resources that accelerate scientific innovation across firm's diagnostic portfolio.
• Facilitate the daily operations associated with fulfilling service requests for Culture Collection and panel activities, while providing best-in-class simple biological solutions to our customers to drive innovation at firm Diagnostic Solutions.
• Plan and execute laboratory activities with a high degree of independence, applying scientific knowledge to support Culture Collection and panel production initiatives.
• Under minimal supervision, executes assigned project activities using established procedures and applying scientific knowledge and accumulated experience to complete projects involving manipulating human cell lines, microorganism and/or other biological material.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction (DNA/RNA/Plasmid), quantification and standard recombinant cloning techniques.
• Grow bacterial cultures under sterile conditions to ensure successful transformation and plasmid propagation.
• Generate, characterize, and manage biological materials that support assay development, clinical studies, and product development activities.
• Analyze experimental data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend solutions to support project objectives.
• Lead small to moderate complexity projects by coordinating activities, managing timelines, and communicating progress with stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory records within validated systems, including LIMS and electronic laboratory notebooks (eLN), ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to scientific reports, technical documentation, presentations, and knowledge transfer activities across cross-functional teams.
• Support laboratory operations through equipment maintenance, inventory management, biosafety compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform all work in accordance with established safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, including OSHA, ISO, and QSR standards.

Required Skills :

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related scientific discipline with 4+ years of relevant industry experience, or a Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on laboratory work and have experience performing microbiological techniques, mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, and aseptic laboratory practices.
• Comfortable working with diverse biological materials, including microorganisms, mammalian cell lines, and human-derived specimens in a BSL-2 laboratory environment.
• May work a variety of infectious human material (HxV, pathogenic bacteria, or engineered material, etc) and sample types (blood, serum, urine, stool etc).
• Familiar with bacterial enumeration, MPN methods, MALDI-TOF identification, microbial taxonomy, and characterization techniques.
• Take pride in maintaining high-quality laboratory documentation and understand the importance of data integrity, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and validated laboratory systems such as LIMS and electronic laboratory notebooks (eLN).
• Enjoy independently planning laboratory work, managing multiple priorities, and solving scientific and technical challenges.
• Comfortable performing routine laboratory activities including plating, pipetting, labeling, stocking, and vialing biological materials.
• Thrive in collaborative, cross-functional environments and enjoy partnering with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared scientific goals.
• Committed to continuous learning, scientific excellence, and supporting process improvements that enhance laboratory efficiency and quality.

Preferred Skills :

• Experience with automated laboratory workflows or high-throughput systems.
• Experience supporting platform or assay development.
• Project management experience, including coordinating timelines and stakeholder communications.
• Client-facing or customer support experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working effectively within a global, matrixed organization.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy

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