Development Scientist - Contract in West Sacramento

Job Description This is a 6 month term contract with a prominent bio lab equipment manufacturer in Sacramento with possibilities to extend. Hands‑on lab role supporting antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and related R&D work. The candidate will execute experiments per SOPs, maintain lab operations, ensure accurate documentation, and communicate results to project leads in a fast‑paced, multi‑project environment. Required Qualifications Experience working in a laboratory environment, preferably supporting biological, microbiological, or analytical testing activities. Comfortable handling blood, body fluids, biological samples, or other potentially biohazardous materials while following established safety protocols. Experience documenting experiments, observations, procedures, and results with strong attention to detail and data integrity. Ability to accurately draft and maintain laboratory records, reports, SOPs, work instructions, or technical documentation. Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to seek clarification when objectives, procedures, or instructions are unclear. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment. Ability to perform repetitive laboratory tasks while maintaining focus, accuracy, and quality standards. Strong problem‑solving skills and sound judgment when addressing errors, deviations, or unexpected experimental results. Commitment to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (or related). 0–2 years hands‑on lab experience (industry, academic, or similar). Strong wet‑lab fundamentals: Aseptic technique Accurate pipetting Solution preparation Ability to follow SOPs and maintain high data integrity. Clear communication and ability to work in a team environment. Comfortable working on‑site, multitasking, and adapting to shifting priorities. Desired Personal Attributes Takes ownership of mistakes and proactively works to identify root causes and corrective actions. Willing to respectfully address concerns or errors made by teammates to ensure data quality and study integrity. Maintains a professional and constructive approach when working with difficult personalities or navigating team conflicts. Comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance rather than making assumptions when requirements are unclear. Demonstrates patience, consistency, and attention to detail during repetitive bench work and routine testing. Contributes positively to team success by being dependable, collaborative, respectful, and willing to assist others when needed. What Success Looks Like The ideal candidate is a team‑oriented laboratory professional who communicates effectively, follows procedures consistently, takes ownership of their work, and maintains high standards of quality and integrity while supporting a collaborative research environment. Key Focus Areas Teamwork & Collaboration Describe what being a good team member in a lab means to you. Have you had challenges working with others in a lab? How did you handle it? How do you handle situations where a teammate is resistant or doesn’t want to compromise? Adaptability & Problem Solving Tell me about a time things didn’t go as planned in the lab (unexpected results, troubleshooting, etc.). How do you handle shifting priorities or being asked to switch tasks quickly? Understanding & Initiative Describe a situation where you didn’t fully understand the goal of a study—how did you work through it? How do you ensure clarity before and during an experiment? Accountability & Feedback If you make a mistake in the lab, how do you respond? Tell me about a time you were corrected on a procedure—how did you handle it? Technical Awareness Experience with MIC readings / antimicrobial testing (if any). Exposure to frozen panels or similar lab workflows. Example of identifying or correcting an out‑of‑range or inconsistent result. What Success Looks Like Proactive communication (raises issues early). Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline. Flexible and able to pivot across multiple projects. Reliable execution of lab work with minimal supervision. Company Description Nicman Group is a consulting company that has a blend of internal and external projects. This isn’t a staffing augmentation position, but rather one where you will be joining an existing Nicman team on a long‑term project. #J-18808-Ljbffr Energy Jobline ZR