Scientist III - Sample Preparation

job summary:

Seeking a Scientist III (Contract) to support high-impact research and development programs within the Sample Preparation R&D team. This 1-year contract role will focus on developing and optimizing bead-based nucleic acid extraction and direct-to-qPCR workflows for advanced molecular biology applications.

The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on experience with magnetic bead-based nucleic acid purification and qPCR and will contribute to multiple R&D initiatives aimed at improving sensitivity, speed, and workflow efficiency for nucleic acid extraction and detection across research and applied markets.

location: Austin, Texas

job type: Contract

salary: $40 - 45 per hour

work hours: 9 to 5

education: Bachelors

responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and analyze laboratory experiments supporting bead-based DNA and RNA extraction workflows.

• Develop and optimize lysis-to-qPCR and direct-to-PCR sample preparation workflows, including Cells-to-CT-style approaches.

• Perform qPCR and RT-qPCR assays to evaluate workflow performance, sensitivity, and robustness.

• Support development of sample preparation solutions for complex biological matrices (e.g., plasma, serum, cell culture media, bodily fluids).

• Document experimental results clearly and contribute to technical reports and data summaries.

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners including assay development, automation, and product development teams.

• Adhere to laboratory safety, quality, and data integrity standards.

qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years, or Master's degree with 1+ years, of relevant experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience with magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction (DNA and/or RNA).

• Experience with direct-to-PCR or lysis-only workflows.

• Strong working knowledge of qPCR and RT-qPCR, including assay setup, data analysis, and troubleshooting.

• Experience working with biological samples and chemical lysis methods.

• Ability to independently plan and execute experiments while meeting project timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated sample preparation platforms (e.g., KingFisher™ systems).

• Experience working in an R&D or product development laboratory environment.

• Experience with Excel, PowerPoint, and JMP statistical analysis software.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong independent experimental design and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• High attention to detail and data quality.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

#LI-GP1

skills: Molecular Biology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.