Senior Scientist - Small Molecule Method Establishment

Thermo Fisher Scientific•Middleton, WI

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Scientist is a fully onsite, hands-on laboratory role based at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s GMP Laboratory in Middleton, Wisconsin. The position independently performs complex laboratory testing and provides technical coaching and mentorship to laboratory staff. It is focused on executing, troubleshooting, and improving testing activities while building subject matter expertise in assigned methods, assays, or analytical platforms. The role may contribute as a non-routine technical resource for method development, transfer, or validation, or support complex or priority routine testing. The Senior Scientist remains directly involved in laboratory execution, owns technical deliverables within a defined scope, and is responsible for their quality and accuracy. The position is an in-lab technical contributor and escalation resource, not a Study Lead: it does not own overall program delivery, routine study management, project coordination, or primary client communication. Method-specific technical discussions with clients may occur. Decisions affecting method lifecycle, validation strategy, or broader testing models are escalated to Staff Scientist level or above for approval. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s PPD Laboratory Services team supports patient health by delivering accurate, high-quality laboratory work. The company describes its mission as enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Applicants may be located anywhere in the United States, but the role is fully onsite. Relocation assistance is not provided. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must pass a comprehensive background check, including drug screening.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with relevant formal academic or vocational qualification.
At least 5 years of comparable experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Advanced knowledge of analytical testing techniques, laboratory instrumentation, and method execution in a regulated environment.
Demonstrated ability to independently perform complex testing, investigations, and non-routine laboratory activities.
Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify analytical challenges and implement effective solutions.
Ability to develop and maintain subject matter expertise in assigned methods, assays, or analytical platforms.
Data analysis skills, including the ability to identify trends, outliers, and atypical results.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity, quality, and accuracy.
Working knowledge of GMP requirements and data-integrity principles.
Strong organizational skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining focus, composure, and productivity.
Ability to prioritize and execute multiple assignments with challenging or conflicting deadlines in a dynamic laboratory environment.
Ability to mentor and technically develop scientific staff through hands-on guidance and knowledge transfer.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly for technical documentation and scientific discussion.
Ability to collaborate, contribute effectively in a team, and maintain a positive attitude.
Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve conflicts professionally and constructively.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of client information and data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
Familiarity with data-collection and laboratory software used to support analytical testing.
Ability to receive, apply, and act on constructive feedback to improve performance.
Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and to listen to and understand information presented verbally.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Must pass a comprehensive background check that includes drug screening.
Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
Able to work upright and stationary and/or standing for typical working hours.
Able to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds; the posting also lists an environmental condition of being able to lift 40 pounds without assistance.
Able to work in non-traditional work environments and use and learn standard office equipment and technology.
Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.

Responsibilities

Independently perform complex laboratory testing, including challenging routine tests and analytical investigation, development, transfer, and validation activities.
Communicate analytical needs, resources, and barriers to relevant stakeholders.
Maintain a hands-on laboratory presence and provide technical support during test execution.
Execute, troubleshoot, and optimize testing activities, applying scientific judgment to execution strategy, data interpretation, and problem resolution.
Develop and maintain expertise in assigned analytical methods, assays, or platform technologies.
Serve as an escalation point for execution-level issues in routine release, stability, and quality-control work, as well as non-routine development, transfer, and validation work.
Identify method, execution, and workflow improvements that enhance data quality and the robustness of routine testing.
Independently execute or technically lead defined components of method development, transfer, or validation work when appropriate.
Author and/or review non-routine technical deliverables, including methods, protocols, reports, and quality records.
Support transition of improved or newly established methods into routine testing by improving their clarity, robustness, and usability.
Assist analysts with execution strategy, atypical results, and troubleshooting for established methods.
Support quality management through hands-on data review and root-cause analysis.
Train and mentor Scientist I and Scientist II staff through direct laboratory involvement, technical coaching, and knowledge transfer.
Reinforce laboratory best practices through example and active participation in testing.