Senior Scientist

Scientist/Senior Scientist (Contract-to-Hire)

Location: Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, CA -- Relocation Candidates will not be considered

Schedule: 5 days onsite | 40-hour work week

Employment Type: 6-month contract-to-hire

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist to join a growing team in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego. This individual will play a key role in driving scientific innovation, leading product development initiatives, and ensuring successful execution of multiple projects within a fast-paced diagnostic development environment. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in assay development, strong project leadership skills, and a passion for advancing scientific programs from concept through commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive technical innovation and solve scientific challenges across multiple projects
• Lead project timelines, milestones, and overall scientific deliverables
• Coordinate all aspects of projects to ensure timely execution and achievement of scientific goals
• Contribute to business growth through client acquisition, idea generation, grant proposals, and related initiatives
• Improve laboratory efficiency through optimization of processes, equipment, and reagents
• Ensure appropriate staffing and resource allocation to meet company objectives within budget
• Lead scientific development across multiple programs while mentoring, supervising, and training junior staff as needed
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure project alignment and success
• Oversee the full product development lifecycle for diagnostic assays, including regulatory submissions where applicable
• Support sourcing and procurement of project-specific and common laboratory reagents
• Prepare technical reports and present scientific data to internal and external audiences
• Maintain compliance with the Quality Management System (QMS) and applicable quality standards
• Ensure project records, lab notebooks, and QMS documentation are accurate, complete, and maintained in a timely manner
• Promote laboratory safety and ensure staff are trained to work safely with human blood products and laboratory chemicals
• Apply deep knowledge of immunoassay principles and diagnostic assay development
• Stay informed on scientific literature, disease pathology, competitive landscape, antigen research, and industry trends relevant to project work

Qualifications

• BS with 8+ years of related experience, MS with 6+ years, or PhD with 3+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong background in diagnostic assay development , with experience in lateral flow assays highly preferred
• Experience implementing or working within ISO 13485 or similar quality systems required
• In-depth understanding of immunoassay concepts and diagnostic product development
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams in a dynamic environment
• Comfortable working in a flexible, fast-paced, growth-oriented company

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with technologies complementary to traditional lateral flow platforms
• Project management experience
• Team leadership or people management experience