Exagen is a patient-focused and discovery-driven life sciences company dedicated to transforming the care continuum for patients suffering from debilitating and chronic autoimmune diseases. Our goal is to enable rheumatologists to improve care for patients through the differential diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of complex autoimmune and autoimmune-related diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. By leveraging our proprietary Cell-Bound Complement Activation Products, or CB-CAPs, technology, we help get to the real cause of a patient’s symptoms and guide their journey to improved health.

As a Scientist in the R&D team at Exagen you will be responsible for developing new assays, designing experiments for validation and/or specimen testing in the lab, reviewing data, troubleshooting, reporting results, documentation. You will utilize your knowledge of immunology, flow-cytometry and/or ELISA to help the team launch innovative and high-quality tests.

Location note: This is an on-site position based out of our Vista laboratory. Candidates must live within commuting distance. 

• Responsible for developing multi-parameter flow cytometry assays for use in autoimmune disease characterization, in the field of immunology.
• Contribute to the development of ELISA based diagnostic tests
• May participate in cross-platform/cross-technology assay development and/or troubleshooting
• Designs strategies and experiments to develop assays based on experience and/or the knowledge of immune system and immune mediated diseases.
• Performs experiments to validate reagents, assays and analyzes and compiles data in a report.
• Communicate results to functional teams
• Responsible for appropriate documentation meeting applicable regulatory and quality standards for novel assay launches
• Troubleshoots own projects and also provides help to other scientists with their projects.  
• Write and review standard operating procedures, validation protocols and reports for the department.
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques, principles and developments in the field of clinical assays
• Works under minimal supervision.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Immunology or a related life science discipline with 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience; or MS degree with 6+ years industry or relevant experience.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in flow cytometry and/or 2-4 years experience in ELISA.
• Prior experience developing, validating or testing multi-color flow cytometry assays, preferably in a clinical laboratory setting is a plus.
• Prior experience in developing, validating or testing ELISA assays preferably in a clinical laboratory setting (Quanta-lyser, Phadia etc.,) is a plus.
• Prior experience in lab-developed test (LDT) validation under CLIA/CAP would be a plus.

 Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of flow cytometry and immunology.
• 2+ years’ experience designing, performing, and analyzing flow cytometry experiments.
• Good understanding of data analysis using FlowJo, FCS Express, or equivalent software package.
• Experience in set-up, maintenance and operation of Flow cytometry platforms such as BD FACS lyric or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present data of moderate to high complexity.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to keep accurate and complete records.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Strong team player who has a proven track record of collaborating on teams.
• Effectively works in a matrixed environment.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.

Salary range: $90,000 - $135,000