Job Description

Consider joining Lancaster Laboratories where people are the most important element in our chemistry. Celebrating 50 years of service, Lancaster Laboratories is a leading contract lab providing testing and research services in the environmental, pharmaceutical, and biopharmaceutical sciences to clients worldwide.

The Scientist I will support Sanger DNA sequencing, routine molecular cloning workflows, and competent cell production within a collaborative laboratory environment. This role requires hands-on execution of core molecular biology techniques, accurate record-keeping, and effective communication across teams to meet project objectives and timelines.

• Perform Sanger DNA sequencing reactions, including BigDye Terminator cycle sequencing setup, post-reaction cleanup, and sample submission to capillary electrophoresis instruments.
• Execute routine molecular cloning workflows, including PCR amplification, restriction digestion, ligation, transformation into E. coli, colony screening, and plasmid miniprep.
• Produce bacterial cell-derived plasmid DNA at miniprep, midiprep, and maxiprep scale, and prepare chemically competent E. coli stocks for laboratory use.
• Operate liquid-handling automation (e.g., Biomek) to support high-throughput sequencing reaction setup and plasmid purification.
• Maintain accurate electronic records of experiments, sample tracking, and reagent inventory in the group's ELN/LIMS.
• Work collaboratively with other groups to achieve project objectives and timelines.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, or a related biological sciences field or equivalent work experience.
• 0–2+ years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Working knowledge of core molecular biology techniques: PCR, plasmid purification (mini/midi/maxiprep), restriction digestion, ligation, agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid quantification (NanoDrop, Qubit).
• Hands-on experience with bacterial cell culture: streaking, picking colonies, liquid culture growth, glycerol stock preparation, and aseptic technique.
• Familiarity with E. coli transformation (heat shock and/or electroporation) and selection on antibiotic plates.
• Comfortable with accurate micropipetting, reagent preparation, and following written SOPs.
• Strong attention to detail and good laboratory record-keeping practices (paper notebook and/or ELN).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Authorization to work in the country indefinitely without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior hands-on experience with Sanger sequencing (BigDye Terminator chemistry, reaction cleanup, capillary electrophoresis on ABI 3xxx-series instruments).
• Experience with plasmid design and cloning software (e.g., Sequencher, Benchling).
• Experience with Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate, or other seamless cloning methods in addition to traditional restriction/ligation cloning.
• Experience preparing chemically competent and electrocompetent E. coli (e.g., DH5α, DH10B, DB3.1) and measuring transformation efficiency.
• Experience with Biomek or other liquid-handling robotics (Hamilton, Tecan).
• Familiarity with sequence trace analysis and variant calling (e.g., Sequencher, SnapGene alignment, Mutation Surveyor).
• Prior laboratory or internship experience in an industry or core-facility setting.

Additional Information

What we offer:

• Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career Development and continuing education opportunities

• Annual salary range: $53,000 – $60,000

Position is full-time, 8am - 5pm with occasional overtime required.

Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Professional Scientific Services® (PSS) is a global, award-winning insourcing solution that places our people at our clients’ site dedicated to running and managing laboratory services while eliminating headcount, co-employment and project-management worries.

We infuse our 55-year track record of scientific and laboratory operations expertise, as well as HR and great place to work best practices, to recruit, hire, train and manage highly qualified scientists to perform laboratory services using our client’s quality systems and equipment.

Eurofins USA PSS Insourcing Solutions is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.