Scientist – Cell Culture / Automation

Thermo Fisher Scientific•San Diego, CA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Thermo Fisher Scientific is hiring an onsite Scientist – Cell Culture / Automation to support early lead discovery programs at a customer site in San Diego, California. The role is part of the Laboratories Functional Service Partnership team, which provides sustained scientific and operational support within customer organizations to advance drug development. The position involves maintaining cell cultures, conducting automated cell-based assays, monitoring experiments, communicating findings, and improving workflow efficiency. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PST, with rotating weekend shifts possible according to business needs. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and pass a comprehensive background check, including drug screening. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a laboratory science such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, Material Science, Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, or a similar field, with comparable experience of 2 or more years; alternatively, a master’s degree. In some cases, an equivalent combination of education, training, and directly related experience may qualify.
Demonstrated cell culture experience with a diversity of cell types, including hEK, CHO, iPSC, and primary cells.
Demonstrated experience using automation and high-throughput screening (HTS) instrumentation.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, able to multitask, and able to follow directions.
Critical thinking skills and ability to learn and apply automation troubleshooting techniques.
Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on customer service.
Flexibility and responsiveness to changing priorities.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability and willingness to work rotating weekend shifts according to business needs.
Aptitude for common computer programs such as MS Office and comfort learning new software and hardware systems.
Ability to work successfully in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.
Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Ability to pass a comprehensive background check, including drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Experience with large-scale operations, multiple workflows, and/or bioreactors.
Experience with liquid-handling equipment and general plate-handling automation.

Responsibilities

Perform cell thaws and maintain cell cultures for assay workflows.
Conduct automated cell-based assays supporting early lead discovery programs.
Set up and monitor automated experiments, and report observations and trends in assay performance to leadership.
Communicate scientific ideas and results clearly to a broad range of audiences.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve workflow efficiency.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration and eligibility for a variable annual incentive bonus.
National medical and dental plans and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
At least 120 hours of paid time off and 10 paid holidays annually.
Paid parental leave, including 3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave.
Accident and life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage in accordance with company policy.
401(k) retirement savings plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan offering eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
Career and development prospects.