Assay Design Scientist

Idexx•Westbrook, ID

22h

About The Position

IDEXX is hiring an Assay Design Scientist for the R&D Integrated Platform Architecture team within Assay Design and Development. The role focuses on designing and developing product architectures by integrating assay devices, reagents, and supporting materials into diagnostic tests. The scientist contributes to technically focused teams addressing needs across the IDEXX portfolio and turns customer needs into robust, manufacturable diagnostic designs. The role involves planning and performing laboratory research, testing and characterizing materials and formulations, evaluating concepts, and advancing designs through early development to demonstrate feasibility and meet performance and manufacturing requirements. The scientist applies statistical design of experiments, analyzes and interprets results, documents work, and communicates findings through reports and presentations. Work may support feasibility studies, new product development, verification, validation, and production-related activities. The position also involves coordinating work independently or collaboratively, contributing to multiple projects, and maintaining laboratory equipment and work areas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Biomedical Engineering or a related field, such as Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry, with 5–7 years of experience; or a master’s degree with 0–3 years of experience.
Solid foundation in life sciences, such as Biochemistry, Immunology, or Molecular Biology, with direct experience applying that knowledge to assay, reagent, or materials development.
Hands-on laboratory bench skills, such as accurate pipetting, reagent and buffer preparation, and microplate-based assays; instrumentation skills; and knowledge of safe laboratory practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Flexibility, a positive attitude, and ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
Excellent verbal, technical writing, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to maintain clear and accurate documentation; and good presentation skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, own results, and maintain strong attention to detail.
Strong organizational skills and ability to plan and prioritize work against timelines, resolve conflicts, and facilitate solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with immunoassays, assay design, or assay development.
Experience in new product development or product support within a life sciences or diagnostics company.
Experience with diagnostic instrumentation development.
Experience with JMP and statistical design of experiments.
Knowledge and demonstrated use of Six Sigma processes and problem-solving techniques.
Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation such as rheometers, water retention meters, and UV-vis spectrophotometers.

Responsibilities

Prepare materials, conduct experiments, gather and analyze data, and draw conclusions, applying statistical design of experiments (DOE).
Design, plan, and execute laboratory research experiments independently and with small project teams.
Research, test, and characterize new materials and formulations for assay design and consumable development.
Evaluate concept designs and guide their evolution through early design phases to demonstrate assay feasibility and optimize performance and manufacturability.
Use advanced instrumentation to analyze materials at the interface of biology, chemistry, and materials science.
Define, design, and implement test plans; analyze results; and prepare summary reports.
Generate and compile data supporting feasibility, new product development, verification, and validation.
Document laboratory and production activities, methods, techniques, and outcomes related to design history, and maintain records appropriately.
Present results and conclusions, including preparing reports and summaries.
Coordinate execution efforts independently or through team collaboration, and ensure project work progresses appropriately and on time.
Participate in team planning, organize activities, and prioritize work across multiple projects.
Collaborate and communicate with colleagues in related areas to provide support, exchange information, and promote efficient processes.
May produce or test reagents and final products and perform other production-related activities.
Order and maintain equipment and work areas.
Maintain knowledge of products, procedures, and developments in the field and industry; may participate in conferences, webinars, and seminars.