Immunoassay Development Scientist - Analyte Detection
About The Position
We are seeking for hands-on immunoassay developers for a new Analyte Detection Business Unit. If you have designed assays from scratch, selected and screened reagent pairs, and solved real development problems across ELISA, MSD, TR-FRET, AlphaLISA, or related formats, we want to hear from you. Here’s what you’ll do: Laboratory Execution & Technical Support Design and execute bioconjugation strategies for labeling antibodies and other proteins with donor/acceptor fluorophores (NHS-ester, maleimide, and related chemistries); optimize reaction conditions, purification, and labeling efficiency from first principles Develop homogeneous immunoassays (TR-FRET, HTRF, AlphaLISA, MSD, and/or ELISA) for analyte detection; own the full development cycle from reagent selection and antibody pairing through format optimization and matrix validation Lead independent antibody screening campaigns to identify optimal capture/detection pairs; apply structured DOE approaches to optimize reagent concentrations, buffer formulations, and assay window Conduct routine assay validation experiments, including precision, accuracy, linearity, and range determination Prepare biological samples, reagents, and buffers according to SOPs Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including plate readers, liquid handlers, and analytical instruments Independently diagnose and resolve assay performance failures; apply root-cause analysis to reagent, buffer, and instrument variables and propose data-driven corrective actions Support antibody screening and characterization activities Assist with benchmarking studies comparing assay performance to competitor products Data Management & Documentation Maintain detailed, accurate, and organized laboratory notebooks documenting all experimental procedures and observations Analyze experimental data using GraphPad Prism, Excel, or similar software Generate clear data summaries, graphs, and tables for internal reports and presentations Contribute to technical reports and validation documents Assist in drafting sections of SOPs and user manual protocols Ensure all documentation meets company quality standards and regulatory requirements Collaboration & Learning Work collaboratively with Senior Scientist and other team members to support project timelines Participate in team meetings and provide updates on experimental progress Communicate experimental results and technical challenges effectively to the supervisor Actively seek learning opportunities to develop technical skills in bioconjugation and immunoassay development Support cross-functional activities with Manufacturing, Quality, and Marketing teams as needed Participate in training programs to enhance scientific and professional development Compliance & Safety Adhere to all site employee health and safety (EHS) and IT security requirements Demonstrate and promote the company vision and values Maintain regular attendance and punctuality Conduct all activities in a safe and efficient manner Perform other duties as assigned Meet project deadlines and adjust work hours as needed to support team objectives
Requirements
- BS/MS in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or related discipline with 3–7 years of hands-on industrial experience developing immunoassays from scratch (ELISA, MSD, TR-FRET/HTRF, AlphaLISA, or equivalent); experience must include reagent selection, antibody screening, and quantitative assay optimization — not solely protocol execution
- Demonstrated experience independently developing and validating immunoassays — including reagent pair selection, signal-to-noise optimization, and characterization studies — with a verifiable track record of assays taken from concept to validated format
- Solid understanding of antibody-antigen binding kinetics, epitope considerations for sandwich vs. competitive immunoassay design, and the impact of protein biochemistry on assay performance
- Strong laboratory skills with attention to detail and accuracy
- Basic proficiency in data analysis using Excel; familiarity with GraphPad Prism or similar software is a plus
- Good organizational and time management skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks
- Ability to design experiments from first principles, generate and test hypotheses, and translate results into actionable next steps — not limited to following pre-written protocols
- Strong work ethic with demonstrated reliability and accountability
- Eagerness to learn new techniques and acquire new scientific knowledge
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Team player with positive attitude and willingness to collaborate
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while knowing when to seek guidance
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced laboratory environment with defined deadlines
Nice To Haves
- Experience developing assays in two or more immunoassay platforms (e.g., ELISA, MSD/ECL, TR-FRET/HTRF, AlphaLISA, Luminex); cross-platform familiarity is a strong differentiator
- Hands-on bioconjugation experience beyond kit use: NHS-ester, maleimide, aldehyde, or click-chemistry conjugation of small molecules, haptens, or fluorophores to antibodies or proteins, including optimization of degree of labeling (DOL) and purification
- Hands-on experience with multi-channel pipettes, automated liquid handlers, and plate readers
- Familiarity with time-resolved fluorescence or FRET-based detection principles (TR-FRET/HTRF, LANCE, or AlphaLISA); experience with plate reader instrumentation for fluorescence or luminescence readouts (e.g., PHERAstar, EnVision, or equivalent)
- Academic or industrial research experience in drug discovery, diagnostics, or related areas
- Experience maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks and documentation
- Applied experience with Design of Experiments (DOE) for reagent concentration and buffer optimization, not merely theoretical familiarity
- Experience presenting research findings in laboratory meetings or scientific conferences
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and scientific curiosity
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Familiarity with aseptic technique and cell culture is a plus
Responsibilities
- Design and execute bioconjugation strategies for labeling antibodies and other proteins with donor/acceptor fluorophores (NHS-ester, maleimide, and related chemistries); optimize reaction conditions, purification, and labeling efficiency from first principles
- Develop homogeneous immunoassays (TR-FRET, HTRF, AlphaLISA, MSD, and/or ELISA) for analyte detection; own the full development cycle from reagent selection and antibody pairing through format optimization and matrix validation
- Lead independent antibody screening campaigns to identify optimal capture/detection pairs; apply structured DOE approaches to optimize reagent concentrations, buffer formulations, and assay window
- Conduct routine assay validation experiments, including precision, accuracy, linearity, and range determination
- Prepare biological samples, reagents, and buffers according to SOPs
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including plate readers, liquid handlers, and analytical instruments
- Independently diagnose and resolve assay performance failures; apply root-cause analysis to reagent, buffer, and instrument variables and propose data-driven corrective actions
- Support antibody screening and characterization activities
- Assist with benchmarking studies comparing assay performance to competitor products
- Maintain detailed, accurate, and organized laboratory notebooks documenting all experimental procedures and observations
- Analyze experimental data using GraphPad Prism, Excel, or similar software
- Generate clear data summaries, graphs, and tables for internal reports and presentations
- Contribute to technical reports and validation documents
- Assist in drafting sections of SOPs and user manual protocols
- Ensure all documentation meets company quality standards and regulatory requirements
- Work collaboratively with Senior Scientist and other team members to support project timelines
- Participate in team meetings and provide updates on experimental progress
- Communicate experimental results and technical challenges effectively to the supervisor
- Actively seek learning opportunities to develop technical skills in bioconjugation and immunoassay development
- Support cross-functional activities with Manufacturing, Quality, and Marketing teams as needed
- Participate in training programs to enhance scientific and professional development
- Adhere to all site employee health and safety (EHS) and IT security requirements
- Demonstrate and promote the company vision and values
- Maintain regular attendance and punctuality
- Conduct all activities in a safe and efficient manner
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Meet project deadlines and adjust work hours as needed to support team objectives
Benefits
- Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
- Life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation and holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
