WHAT DOES A BIOCHEMIST DO?
Published: May 19, 2025 – The Biochemist implements changes to Atellica IM and ADVIA Centaur assays focused on infectious diseases, oncology, anemia, allergy, and reproductive/steroid testing. This position leads cross-functional projects involving product updates, raw material qualification, vendor sourcing, and technical documentation. The biochemist also performs laboratory testing and root cause investigations using human and animal biological samples on Atellica, Centaur, and CP instruments.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Biochemist
1. Biochemist Details and Accountabilities
- Laboratory Multitasking: Performing laboratory multitask functions related to Conjugation.
- Lab Operations Assistance: Reports directly to the immediate supervisor and assists with day-to-day lab operations.
- Conjugation Execution: Completing simple step conjugations as well as assigned conjugations with good quality and yield.
- SOP Compliance: Following SOPs/Working Instructions is a must while working on assignments.
- Training Completion: Completing the conjugation training plan.
- Task Timeliness: Weekly assignments must be completed properly and on time.
- Supervisor Collaboration: Works closely with the supervisor to ensure proper completion of assignments.
2. Biochemist Additional Details
- Protein Purification: Perform protein purification techniques
- Pest and Pathogen Handling: Working with live pests and pathogens of plants
- Molecular and Biochemical Analysis: Conduct molecular and biochemical analyses
- Data Management: Take responsibility for data collection and spreadsheet software
- Conjugation Tasks: The lab work involves conjugation-related tasks.
- Assignment Quality: Completing assignments of good quality and yield is expected.
3. Biochemist Essential Functions
- Tech Transfer: Coordinates and participates in product and technology transfer with Quality Control, Manufacturing, and other related functions.
- Project Execution: Coordinates and/or executes assigned projects and reports project status.
- Docs and Training: Contributes to guidelines, schedules and documentation of process and product transfers, including training of associates.
- Process Validation: Performs process validations and product verifications.
- Issue Resolution: Investigates production and quality control issues.
- Equipment Care: Performs cleaning, inspection, and verification for calibration and maintenance of equipment.
- Log Management: Maintains related logs and records.
- Process Improvement: Participates in the Continuous Improvement activities established in the plant.
4. Biochemist Role Purpose
- Technical Support: Supporting the Technical Operations department through the implementation of changes to existing Atellica IM and ADVIA Centaur assays, components, and processes.
- Assay Focus: Assay portfolio focus includes Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Anemia, Allergy, and Reproductive/Steroid.
- Project Leadership: Leading projects throughout the project life cycle
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinating with other departments and Siemens Healthineers sites in support of product design and process changes
- Material Sourcing: Leading projects related to raw material qualification and vendor sourcing
- CAPA Execution: Coordinating and carrying out root cause investigations and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
- DOE Design: Creating and participating in the design of experiments (DOE) as part of validation and verification activities
- Compliance Writing: Writing compliance documentation associated with technical investigations, data analyses, and experimental conclusions
- Lab Operations: Working in the laboratory running Atellica, Centaur, and CP instrumentation with serum and other biological fluids of human and animal origin
5. Biochemist Key Accountabilities
- ELN Recordkeeping: Record keeping with ELN or similar programs
- Wet Lab Skills: General wet lab skills (chemical/bio molecule handling, solution making, pipetting, executing SOPs for assays, record keeping for assays performed)
- Sample Analysis: Perform analysis of samples with a variety of biochemical and biophysical assays, including HPLC (SEC, IEC, RP), osmolality, capillary electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE-SDS), UV-Vis Spectrometry (Bradford Protein Assay, binding activity analysis by Plasmon Resonance)
- Data Preparation: Prepare data for presentations, assist in generating technical protocols/reports, and interact with other groups within the department to share data
- Data Review: Perform independent reviews and peer reviews of analytical data
- Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot method and instrumentation problems
- Method Development: Initiate and perform investigations and development under direction