Jobs › Tempus AI

NGS Senior Scientist 1

Tempus AI · Chicago, IL · $95,000–$120,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through an assay you led from study design through clinical launch. What were the hardest decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they have truly owned a full development and validation cycle, not just pieces of it.

Tell me about someone you trained or mentored. How did you know they were ready to work on their own?

What they are checking: Whether they develop junior scientists deliberately and judge readiness with evidence.

Tell me about a time you had to stop a project because the science didn't support it.

What they are checking: Whether they make hard calls based on evidence rather than momentum.

What would you do

A validation run fails one acceptance criterion by a small margin, and the launch date is close. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they protect scientific integrity under schedule pressure and handle it transparently.

In a matrixed team, how do you get operations, bioinformatics and quality aligned on a launch?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead scientifically across teams they don't manage.

How do you explain a technical risk to a non-technical stakeholder who wants a yes or no?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate tradeoffs simply without hiding uncertainty.

About the work

How do you set acceptance criteria for a validation study before you see the data?

What they are checking: Whether they define success up front so results cannot be bent to fit afterward.

What goes into a good SOP for a new NGS workflow, and how do you know it's ready for the bench?

What they are checking: Whether they write procedures that real technologists can follow consistently under pressure.

How would you scale a workflow from a few samples a week to hundreds a day?

What they are checking: Whether they think through automation, batching, failure rates and bottlenecks in a high-throughput lab.

How do you qualify a new liquid handler or sequencer before it runs clinical samples?

What they are checking: Whether they know installation, operational and performance qualification and why each matters.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Tempus AI.

Passionate about precision medicine and advancing the healthcare industry? Recent advancements in underlying technology have finally made it possible for AI to impact clinical care in a meaningful way. Tempus' proprietary platform connects an entire ecosystem of real-world evidence to deliver real-time, actionable insights to physicians, providing critical information about the right treatments for the right patients, at the right time. We are seeking a Senior Scientist to lead the development and validation of new molecular assays and laboratory processes for deployment in our clinical laboratory. What You’ll Do • Lead development of molecular assays and NGS workflows for high-throughput clinical laboratories. • Design, execute, and analyze R&D studies with scientific rigor and attention to detail. • Lead assay validation and clinical implementation from study design through launch, including workflow development, SOP creation, and documentation. • Design and execute qualification and validation studies for reagents, instruments, equipment, and methods to support clinical deployment. • Interpret data, troubleshoot issues, and drive process improvements. • Collaborate across cross-functional teams and provide scientific leadership in a matrixed environment. • Communicate clearly and effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Train and mentor junior scientific staff and support implementation of new laboratory workflows. • Support automation and technology initiatives to improve laboratory workflows. • Manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. • Travel up to 10% as needed. Qualifications • Ph.D. with 0 or more years of experience, or Master’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience in molecular biology, assay development, or a related field. • Experience in assay development and/or validation required. • Experience in a clinical laboratory environment required; CAP/CLIA/NYSDOH experience preferred. • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and experimental design skills. • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to quality and accuracy. • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new processes, technologies, and workflows. • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to lead across teams. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment. Preferred Technical Experience • DNA/RNA extraction and purification methods. • NGS library preparation, hybrid capture, and sequencing workflows. • PCR-based techniques, including PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, and ddPCR. • Nucleic acid manipulation, quantitation, and analysis. • Assay troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and workflow optimization. Highly Desirable • Experience with FFPE tissue workflows. • Experience with laboratory automation and liquid handling robotics. • Experience developing and implementing protocols for CLIA-regulated laboratories. • Familiarity with LIMS and laboratory data systems. Pay Range: $95,000 - $120,000 USD The expected salary range may vary for other locations. Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience. Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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