Job Description

Position Objective:

Responsible for planning and developing chemistry technologies and products for consumables that support Life Technologies DNA sequencing platforms, CE Sanger Sequencing and Ligation based DNA sequencing SOLiD. Sequencing consumables include, but are not limited to, dyes, polymers, polymerase substrates, ligation enzymes, probes, sequencing controls and application specific kits. The job entails directing scientists on projects that take ideas from concept to commercialization and working with Product and Program Managers to prioritize and resource projects as needed. This job also requires working with the legal and business community, assisting with Life Technologies efforts to expand our IP portfolio and ensuring FTO on all deliverables. Essential Functions Develop new products and technologies through the New Product Introduction process and guide process improvements. Independently plan, direct and execute scientific research and/or development strategies. Independently adapt or modify experimental methods to achieve technical objectives. Anticipate potential problems and design preventative solutions. Determine strategic approach to experimental design. Establish and implement functional operational strategy and goals to achieve the corporate strategy. May provide input to corporate or functional strategic planning. Critically analyze complex data, interpret and integrate experiment results with project and Division objectives. Determines project directives based on data analysis. Maintain complete and thorough documentation in accordance with relevant Life Technologies required standards to support patent application and defense as well as other international standards (e.g., ISO compliance, GLP/GMP requirements, etc.) for assigned staff. Oversee and manage the research staff, including hiring, performance management, training and professional development. Provide strategic direction and guidance to Scientists, Research Associates and Engineers in their daily experiments and troubleshooting. Guide team in matrix environment. Investigate, create and develop new methods and technologies for project advancement. Guide technical strategy for a business segment and interface with other departments (i.e., Marketing, Business Development, Technical Service and/or Operations) to coordinate product development and improvement. Make contributions to scientific literature and conferences. Prepare technical reports, product summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses. Performs fundamental literature and patent searches related new product and technology opportunities. Develops alternative strategies as necessary. Recognizes opportunities for in-licensing and internal patent development. Prepares patent disclosures and support the legal department in patent preparation. Balance resources to fulfill new product objectives and fill pipeline with novel ideas for future development. Maintain high level of professional expertise through familiarity with current scientific literature, competing technologies and/or products and attendance of scientific seminars and meetings. Communicates the significance of recent scientific developments to peer group. Comply with all company safety regulations and procedures. Ensure compliance of assigned staff. Formulate and authorize policies, processes and practices for functional area. Develop and managing function's budget. May act as spokesperson on corporate research and development and advise top management. May be required to perform other related duties as required and/or assigned. Nature and Scope Directs and controls the activities of a functional area through several department managers having overall responsibility for planning, budgeting, implementing and maintaining costs, methods, and employees. Accountable for developing and managing the functional (multiple or single, large department/project) budget and providing input to the corporate budget. Participates with other senior managers to establish division strategic plans and objectives. Makes decisions that involve the consideration of complex issues and develops decision guidelines for own area. Erroneous decisions will have a serious impact on the overall success of functional, division, or company operations.

Experience:

 15-20 years experience developing chemistry products for the DNA sequencing market. Key knowledge includes: - Track record of creativity in developing polymerase substrates and other DNA sequencing related products including issued patents and commercialized products. - Experience in developing and implementing programs for CE applications for DNA diagnostics. - Ability to manage multi-disciplined efforts, and multi-disciplined skill sets, including - Advanced knowledge and proven management experience to lead assigned staff, which may include lower level management and multiple departments, in the delivery of products and/or services to ensure the achievement of goals. - Proven expertise in data analysis, research design and the evaluation of new techniques and procedures for manufacturing reagents, systems, products or technologies. - Multi-faceted research planning and design. - Safety, environmental and other regulatory requirements. - Advanced, in-depth knowledge of the CE and Next Generation Sequencing (SOLiD) business, competitors and industry practices and functional knowledge of strategic business planning. - Patent application and new product development processes. Key skills/abilities include: - Solid technical writing skills. - Excellent time management skills and ability to work independently required. - Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to efficiently evaluate, prioritize and handle multiple and changing programs/projects and priorities. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interpret and summarize scientific results in a clear, concise, accurate manner Expected Invitrogen behaviors: - Expansive Thinker - Innovation-Oriented - Courage - Accountable - Results - Teamwork and Collaboration - Respectful of People - Influential Communicator - Acting with Integrity - Positively Responds to Change Contacts Frequent high level of technical interaction both within the company as a content and/or function leader, and with outside scientific collaborators, and customers as a thought leader. Regularly facilitates management discussions and negotiates with executives on extremely difficult matters to influence company-wide policy. Working Conditions Works in a laboratory and office environment. Must be able to work safely with chemicals and hazardous materials. Must be able to work overtime and flexible shifts.