Scientist - Lab Operations Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards

Job Description

Summary/Scope

This onsite position is based in Lawrenceville, NJ and reports to the Manager II, Lab Planning and Execution. The Operations Specialist Lab Operations will support the Translational Medicine organization within a leading global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for human diseases.

The role involves cross-functional collaboration with Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and Global Procurement to ensure the delivery of robust, compliant, and efficient laboratory services that enable scientific innovation. While primarily supporting the Princeton site, the Scientist may also provide remote operational support to laboratories located in Cambridge, MA.

This is a support-focused role with no hands-on benchwork. The successful candidate will work independently to plan and manage daily responsibilities, while also collaborating closely with team members to maintain a safe, functional, and audit-ready laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities –

• Serve as the primary point of contact and project coordinator for laboratory operational support, ensuring a safe, compliant, and highly functional work environment.
• Collaborate with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and compliance teams to proactively identify, mitigate, and manage laboratory risks.
• Support the lifecycle management of laboratory equipment, including coordination of installation, calibration, maintenance, service, and decommissioning activities.
• Coordinate and maintain laboratory inventory systems by managing the ordering, receiving, and restocking of supplies and consumables; monitor expiry dates and ensure proper disposal of outdated materials.
• Assist with laboratory space planning and coordinating facilities work orders for lab setup, moves, and maintenance.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all operational activities to ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in laboratory operations, quality, and efficiency.
• Collaborate effectively with fellow team members to support shared goals and ensure smooth day-to-day lab operations.
• Work independently to plan and prioritize daily tasks, demonstrating strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent formal academic qualification in a relevant scientific or technical discipline, such as Biology, Chemistry, or other related scientific fields.
• Minimum of two years of experience supporting laboratory operations or a related function; a combination of education, training, and directly related experience may be considered in lieu of formal requirements.

In some cases an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including planning and prioritizing daily tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and adapt to shifting deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel) to support operational tasks such as inventory management, supply ordering, and budget tracking.
• Familiarity with laboratory workflows supporting drug discovery and development, including diagnostics and biomarkers, is preferred.
• Experience in a GxP or CLIA-regulated environment is preferred but not required.
• Ability to recognize when to escalate issues appropriately to management.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative environment while maintaining accountability for individual responsibilities.

Working Conditions and Environment:
• Work is performed in a laboratory and/or a clinical environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Occasional drives to site locations, occasional domestic travel.
• Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms.
• Rare exposure to skin and lung irritants, radiation, toxic materials and hazardous waste.
• Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.
• Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions.

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to work in an upright and /or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipment.
• Occasional mobility needed.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Frequently interacts with others to obtain or relate information to diverse groups.
• Works independently with little guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals. Requires multiple periods of intense concentration.
• Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress. Ability to multi-task.
• Regular and consistent attendance.

Why Join Us?
When you join Thermo Fisher Scientific, you become part of a global team that values passion, innovation, and a commitment to scientific excellence. You’ll work in an environment where collaboration and development are part of the everyday experience – and where your contributions truly make a difference.

Apply today to help us deliver tomorrow’s breakthrough.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in New Jersey is $60,000.00–$70,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A 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 paid time off (PTO), 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

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: