Associate Principal Scientist - Cell-Based

BioAgilytix•Durham, NC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

At BioAgilytix, Associate Principal Scientists translate scientific expertise into sound strategies, reliable methods, and confident client decisions. As part of the cell-based team, this role leads complex assay development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting workstreams while providing technical direction across studies and platforms. It bridges Senior Scientist and Principal Scientist responsibilities, requiring substantial independence, technical guidance to scientists, and scientific leadership for assigned programs. Experience with cell-based assays, flow cytometry, and immunoassay platforms supports resolving ambiguity, strengthening execution, and delivering high-quality client work. The position offers the opportunity to shape scientific strategy while remaining close to technical work. The Associate Principal Scientist owns complex cell-based programs, guides teams through difficult assay and data challenges, and influences decisions affecting study quality, timelines, and client outcomes. Through client interaction, cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement, the role can build the scope and influence expected of a future Principal Scientist. This is a full-time, exempt position with no direct supervisory responsibilities. Some scheduling flexibility is available, and employees must be available during core work hours published in the BioAgilytix Employee Handbook. Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required based on project and business needs. The role is performed in office and laboratory or clinical environments, with possible exposure to biological fluids and potentially infectious organisms, and rare exposure to skin or lung irritants, radiation, toxic materials, hazardous waste, and fluctuating or extreme temperatures. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including protective eyewear, garments, and gloves, is required. The position requires remaining upright or stationary for up to eight hours per day; frequent movement; repetitive hand and finger movements; crouching, stooping, bending, and twisting; and lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving laboratory equipment, supplies, and a laptop weighing up to 20 pounds. It also requires regular computer use, frequent interaction with diverse groups, clear verbal communication and active listening, sustained concentration, independent planning, adaptability to variable demands, management of multiple priorities under pressure, and regular and consistent attendance.

Requirements

Master's degree in life sciences or a related scientific discipline.
Minimum eight years of relevant scientific experience; an equivalent combination of directly relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.
Extensive hands-on experience with cell-based assays, including ability to lead complex assay work and resolve challenging technical issues.
Hands-on experience with flow cytometry and cell-based assay execution.
Advanced scientific judgment and demonstrated ability to lead complex technical workstreams with limited supervision.
Strong ability to develop troubleshooting strategies and resolve ambiguous or recurring technical issues.
Excellent scientific writing skills, including experience preparing technical justifications, validation strategies, and client-facing documentation.
Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and mentor scientists through technical leadership.
Strong understanding of CRO delivery, quality expectations, and client program needs.
Excellent written and spoken English communication skills, including strong presentation capabilities.
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and computer skills.
Ability to meet the stated physical, communication, concentration, planning, attendance, and work-environment requirements.

Nice To Haves

PhD in life sciences or a related scientific discipline.
Previous experience working in a contract research organization (CRO) or biopharmaceutical industry setting.
Familiarity with some or all of the following immunoassay platforms: ELISA, MSD-ECL, Gyrolab, AlphaLISA, LI-COR, and Luminex.

Responsibilities

Lead complex assay development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting workstreams requiring advanced technical judgment and coordination across teams.
Develop evidence-based troubleshooting strategies for challenging methods, ambiguous results, and recurring technical issues, and recommend clear paths forward.
Serve as principal investigator or scientific lead for assigned projects, with accountability for project scope, timelines, scheduling, client communication, proposal support, and budget or revenue considerations.
Direct scientific setup and study delivery, including LIMS study setup, deviation identification or submission, and preparation of scientific training materials.
Prepare or review validation, qualification, and sample analysis plans, reports, summaries, technical justifications, scientific strategies, and supporting documentation.
Review scientific approaches across multiple studies to confirm that methods, documentation, and execution plans are technically sound.
Provide technical direction and mentorship to Scientists and Senior Scientists without direct people-management responsibility.
Contribute to client-facing scientific recommendations, technical discussions, issue resolution, and program decisions.
Identify opportunities to improve methods, workflows, platforms, and technical standards within areas of expertise.
Partner across scientific, operational, quality, and client-facing teams to keep complex programs aligned with CRO delivery expectations and client needs.
Perform other responsibilities based on project and business needs.