University of Colorado · 10 hours ago
Lead Scientist, Organoid Initiative
Aurora, CO
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$77K/yr - $86K/yr
3+ years expThe University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking a Lead Scientist for their Organoid Initiative. This role involves overseeing automated high throughput screening systems and data integration to support clinical and translational missions, while collaborating closely with various teams to enhance operational maturity and data quality.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Lead development, optimization, and execution of automated workflows including mini-ring organoid screening, liquid handling, high-content imaging, and integrated scheduling systems
Configure and validate automation assets (liquid handlers, incubators, imagers, tracs, scheduling software) to ensure precision, throughput, and reproducibility
Translate biological assay needs, including mini-ring–based workflows, into executable automation protocols with defined QC checkpoints and error handling
Identify bottlenecks or technical issues and implement improvements to drive operational maturity
Define metadata standards, file structures, and transfer pipelines to ensure data flows cleanly to analytics and bioinformatics groups
Oversee interface between automation systems, internal tracking tools or LIMS elements, and downstream analysis workflows
Support reporting structures aligned with clinical translation, decision support, and research endpoints
Coordinate instrument access and workflow timing with the scientist responsible for sample flow and personnel oversight
Work alongside software engineers to refine workflow orchestration, instrument integration, and file delivery standards
Act as point of contact for vendor interactions, onboarding of new automation assets, and technical support
Provide feedback to computational teams on data quality, edge cases, and instrumentation-driven variability
Develop SOPs, troubleshooting guides, and runbooks for automated operations and mini-ring workflows
Train laboratory personnel on equipment use, automation operation, and QC procedures
Contribute to capability statements, grant text, platform manuscripts, and programmatic documentation for the Director of FPM
Evaluate new technologies and implement strategic upgrades to expand throughput or analytical depth
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field from an accredited institution
3-5 years of experience in molecular biology and translational research
Experience with automated laboratory systems, plate-based assays, or high throughput screening
At least one year of experience with mini-ring 3D organoid platform
Experience with cell-based workflows, imaging, or clinical sample–derived cultures
Preferred
PhD in Bioengineering, Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
Exposure to interfaces with data infrastructure, analysis pipelines, or LIMS-like systems
Experience troubleshooting automation protocols, hardware integration, or workflow orchestration
Prior work with patient-derived samples or translational precision medicine programs
Benefits
Medical: Multiple plan options
Dental: Multiple plan options
Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
Holiday Days: 10/year
Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service
Company
University of Colorado
University of Colorado offers higher education and serving as the catalysts in business, arts, health, and community growth.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Colorado has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (184)
2024 (124)
2023 (163)
2022 (115)
2021 (86)
2020 (95)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.5MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyUS Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administation
2023-07-27Grant
2023-01-26Grant
2021-04-06Grant· $0.5M
Leadership Team
Richard Schulick
Professor and Chair of Surgery
Recent News
Sports Business Journal
2025-12-28
Company data provided by crunchbase