Principal Scientist - FRET Specialist

Position Objective Responsible for initiating, directing and executing scientific research and/or development strategies through the research staff or individual studies. Acts as the technical lead in fluorescence resonance energy-transfer (FRET) and advanced dye-nucleotide synthetic organic chemistry and spectroscopy, and may be the technical expert on more than one project. Thinks creatively and provides technical justification for novel concepts and approaches.Essential Functions:Independently plan, direct and execute laboratory research. Independently adapt or modify experimental methods to achieve technical objectives. Critically analyze data and interpret results. Maintain complete and thorough documentation.Anticipate potential problems and design preventative solutions. Determine strategic approach to experimental design.Provide guidance to other Research Associates in their daily experiments and troubleshooting. Willing to collaborate with other departments (ie: Invitrogen Business Units) as a technical consultant. Serve as internal technical expert and outside consultant. May act as spokesperson on corporate research and development and advise top management.Make major contributions to scientific literature and conferences. Prepare technical reports, product summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses. Perform fundamental literature and patent searches related to business segment. Develop alternative strategies as necessary.Maintain high level of professional expertise through familiarity with current scientific literature, competitor products and attending scientific seminars and meetings.Use current professional concepts to contribute to the development of Invitrogen concepts and principles and to achieve objectives in creative and effective ways.Comply with all company safety regulations and procedures.May be required to perform other related duties as required and/or assigned.Nature and Scope:Position exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Anticipates potential problems and designs preventive solutions. Identifies emerging product and technology trends and champions activities to address them. Directs and controls the activities of multiple projects. Performs duties independently with only general direction given on new projects. Job encounters diverse work situations involving a high degree of complexity. Works on complex problems of diverse scope where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors. Accuracy is required in performing all functions of this position. Erroneous decisions will have a serious impact on the overall success of functional, division, or company operationsEducation:Ph.D degree in chemical sciences, with additional experience in fluorescence spectroscopy. Experience:Requires a minimum of Ph.D with 10 years post degree laboratory experience, preferably in a commercial environment. Demonstrated proficiency in experimental design and creative thought required. Demonstrated competence in the evaluation of new techniques and procedures for the development of fluorescence reagents/systems/ products and/or technologies. Demonstrated competence in the chemical synthesis of advanced single- and multiple-dye (fluorescent) small molecule ligands. Demonstrated competence in the utilization and design of advanced FRET-based ligand-enzyme systems. Excellent time management skills and ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team required. Recognized internally and externally as scientific expert in field of expertise. Experience with non-organic fluorescence dye materials (inorganic materials) a plus. Specific experience in many of the hardware platforms/optics utilized for the quantitation of fluorescence signals. Contacts:Contacts are normally made with others inside and outside the company, including immediate associates, customers, competitors, other departments and own supervisor. Contacts are usually made on own initiative concerning matters requiring explanation, discussion, interpretation or approvals.Working Conditions:Works in a laboratory environment. Job may involve frequent work at a computer terminal and periodic travel.