Principal Scientist – NGS/Genomics and Bioinformatics

Job Description

This is a fully onsite role based in our bioanalytical laboratory in Richmond, VA. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Please note that relocation assistance is not provided for this position, and any relocation costs will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

Our PPD® Laboratory Services team has a direct impact on improving patient health through the expertise of scientists, industry thought-leaders and therapeutic experts. As the world leader in serving science, our laboratory professionals bring their commitment to accuracy and quality to deliver groundbreaking innovations.

Discover Impactful Work:

Discover Impactful Work: We are seeking a Principal Scientist to lead the strategy, design, and implementation of our NGS sequencing platforms. This role defines the next phase of our laboratory’s molecular innovation—combining sequencing, proteomics, and spatial transcriptomics to deliver integrated multi-omics solutions.

A Day in the Life:

• Oversee setup, qualification, and validation of the Ultima and/or Illumina NGS system
• Lead evaluation and implementation of genomics and proteomics technologies (NextGen Sequencing (WGS, RNASeq, targeted sequencing), spatial sequencing (10x Genomics Chromium, Visium, Xenium), O-Link HT, NuLISA)
• Define and execute the sequencing strategy for the lab, aligning with organizational and client objectives
• Mentor scientists and analysts in NGS workflows, QC, and data interpretation including bioinformatics support
• Partner with automation, bioinformatics, and proteomics teams for multi-omics integration
• Represent the lab in vendor partnerships, conferences, and technical collaborations

Keys to Success:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
• Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 12+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• OR Masters degree and previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable 10+ year)
• OR PhD and previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable 8+ year)

In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership in launching or managing NGS and spatial sequencing platforms and analysis
• Ultima and/or Illumina NGS - MUST HAVE
• Proven track record of cross-functional scientific leadership and technical innovation
• Expert knowledge of sequencing chemistry, data QC, and assay validation, data analysis/bioinformatics
• Experience integrating sequencing with proteomics or other omics technologies
• Strong communication and external collaboration skills
• Strategic mindset with ability to identify and implement new technologies
• Demonstrated success mentoring staff and building scientific teams

Working Conditions and Environment:

Work is performed in a laboratory and/or a clinical environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.

• Occasional drives to site locations, occasional domestic travel
• Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms
• Rare exposure to skin and lung irritants, radiation, toxic materials and hazardous waste
• Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves
• Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions