Senior Scientist

Thermo Fisher Scientific • Rockville, MD

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a fully onsite, hands-on laboratory role based at a customer site in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Senior Scientist delivers ligand-binding testing for departmental pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies, generating timely, accurate, traceable, fit-for-purpose bioanalytical data. The role involves working from approved methods, protocols, study plans, and departmental procedures, coordinating priorities with designated scientific leads, and independently executing routine assay activities. Work may include assay readiness checks, preparation of reagents and samples, plate execution, data review, scientifically justified repeat analysis, and preparation of study-level data packages. Additional assay-delivery work, such as flow cytometry assay development or testing, may be assigned according to department needs.

The position is delivery-oriented: the scientist manages agreed work efficiently, maintains complete records for scientific review and reporting, and promptly communicates risks. Study priorities, volume, and schedules are set by the department based on portfolio needs. The role requires compliance with applicable safety, biosafety, data-integrity, confidentiality, and departmental procedures. 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

• Previous experience providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job, comparable to 2 or more years, or a master's degree.
• Experience testing nonclinical or clinical study samples in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or contract research environment.
• Experience with automated ligand-binding assay workflows and high-throughput sample testing.
• Familiarity with fit-for-purpose assay qualification, regulated or GxP-like practices, and technical report support.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Able to pass a comprehensive background check, including drug screening.
• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people 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.
• Able to work in non-traditional work environments.
• Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with biomarker, target-engagement, or receptor-occupancy assays.
• Experience with other bioanalytical modalities, particularly flow cytometry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and/or execute ligand-binding assays for PK and PD sample testing using established methods and approved study documentation.
• Prepare samples, standards, controls, reagents, and assay plates; operate applicable laboratory instrumentation and software.
• Complete assay readiness activities, including reagent checks, control evaluation, and method familiarization or training.
• Review run performance against predefined acceptance criteria and identify, document, and communicate assay issues or deviations.
• Perform scientifically justified repeat analysis and basic troubleshooting in consultation with the designated scientific lead.
• Analyze and process data using approved templates and systems, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and appropriate quality control.
• Maintain contemporaneous records in electronic laboratory notebooks, sample-management systems, and other departmental repositories.
• Prepare complete data packages, summaries, and supporting documentation for scientific review and reporting.
• Track assigned workload, turnaround times, and dependencies; provide concise status updates and promptly escalate delivery risks.
• Follow applicable safety, biosafety, data-integrity, confidentiality, and departmental procedures.
• Coordinate effectively with project scientists, sample-management colleagues, and other internal partners.
• Complete PK and PD ligand-binding assay runs and sample analyses aligned with approved schedules and acceptance criteria.
• Deliver accurate, complete, review-ready data packages within agreed turnaround times and maintain traceable records without unresolved documentation gaps.
• Promptly communicate assay failures, sample issues, capacity constraints, and schedule risks, with recommended next steps.
• Additional assay-delivery responsibilities may be assigned, such as flow cytometry assay development or testing.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration and a variable annual incentive-plan bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results, in accordance with company policy.
• Choice of 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 (PTO) and 10 paid holidays annually.
• Paid parental leave: 3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave.
• Accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
• Competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), allowing eligible colleagues to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Career and development prospects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior