Biologist - New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

Battelle•Columbus, OH

39d•Hybrid

About The Position

Battelle is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead and support the development, application, and evaluation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), especially complex in vitro models including microphysiological systems (MPS) and other human-relevant non-animal testing platforms. This role will provide growing technical leadership in the use of organoids, organ-on-chip systems, advanced in vitro models, omics technologies, and computational approaches for chemical safety assessment, biomedical research, and product development. The Biologist III will independently lead defined technical workstreams and contribute to the scientific direction, design, execution, and interpretation of complex research studies. Working with multidisciplinary teams of biologists, engineers, computational scientists, and regulatory specialists, this individual will help translate emerging human-relevant technologies into robust, reproducible, and decision-ready tools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field with 5 years of experience or master’s degree in related field with 2 years of experience or PhD; or an equivalent combination of education and or experience in a related field.
Demonstrated scientific expertise in one or more relevant areas, such as: Microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip technologies, or perfusion-based cell-culture platforms; Organoids, 3D cell culture, co-culture, primary-cell, stem-cell, or other advanced in vitro models; Toxicology, safety assessment, mechanistic biology, or pharmacology; Tissue engineering, biomedical engineering, or model development; Computational toxicology, bioinformatics, QSAR, machine learning, or predictive modeling; Omics technologies, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, or integrated data analysis.
Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute research studies, analyze and interpret results, troubleshoot technical challenges, and develop sound scientific conclusions.
Experience preparing high-quality scientific reports, technical documentation, manuscripts, presentations, or client deliverables.
Ability to lead assigned technical workstreams, manage priorities and timelines, and coordinate effectively with interdisciplinary project teams.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Applicants for this position must be a U.S. citizen and possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience developing, operating, optimizing, or qualifying MPS, organ-on-chip, or other advanced human-relevant test platforms.
Experience applying advanced in vitro models to regulatory, pharmaceutical, chemical, consumer-product, or biomedical research questions.
Familiarity with assay development, method qualification, validation principles, reproducibility assessments, or cross-site method-transfer studies.
Experience integrating biological data with computational models, omics datasets, or translational modeling approaches.
Working knowledge of regulatory science and the evolving use of NAMs by FDA, EPA, NIH/NICEATM, OECD, or comparable organizations.
Record of scientific contributions through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, external collaborations, patents, technical reports, or successful project delivery.
Experience mentoring junior scientists, research associates, interns, or students.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, execution, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of complex studies involving NAMs, MPS, organoids, organ-on-chip systems, and other physiologically relevant in vitro models.
Serve as a technical lead for defined project workstreams, ensuring studies are scientifically sound, appropriately documented, on schedule, and aligned with project objectives.
Develop, optimize, implement, and evaluate MPS and advanced in vitro platforms for toxicology, safety assessment, discovery, or translational research applications.
Design studies to assess model performance, reproducibility, biological relevance, applicability domain, and fit-for-purpose use in specific decision contexts.
Lead troubleshooting and method-development activities; recommend improvements to experimental designs, assay workflows, analytical approaches, and platform operations.
Integrate MPS findings with complementary datasets, including conventional in vitro data, omics results, computational models, exposure data, and available in vivo or clinical reference data.
Support development of translational strategies, including in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation and interpretation of human-relevant model outputs for safety and efficacy questions.
Prepare and review study protocols, technical reports, project plans, data packages, standard operating procedures, and client-facing deliverables.
Provide technical input for project proposals, statements of work, budgets, and presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
Mentor junior staff in laboratory techniques, experimental planning, data interpretation, scientific documentation, and safe laboratory practices.
Collaborate with internal and external partners, including academic institutions, industry organizations, and government agencies.
Monitor and summarize relevant scientific, technical, and regulatory developments related to NAMs, MPS, organ-on-chip systems, and human-relevant toxicology.
Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, conference presentations, and scientific working groups.
Maintain high standards for laboratory safety, quality, scientific integrity, data traceability, and project documentation.