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Assay Development Scientist Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

RareCyte is looking for an Assay Development Scientist based in our Seattle, WA office. The successful candidate will work in the Precision Biology Services group and be responsible for developing ...

Posted today

Principal Scientist, CDx IHC Development

Redmond, WA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Principal Scientist to provide technical leadership for the development of ... Define assay design, platform selection, and development strategy aligned with CDx regulatory ...

Scientist, Protein Testing

Seattle, WA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a detail-oriented Scientist to join our highly collaborative Protein Testing team ... Using your knowledge of enzymology, analytical biochemistry, and assay development and ...

Senior Director, Biomarkers (Immunology)

Seattle, WA

$216K - $325K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Excellent mentor for scientists and employees working on fit-for-purpose assay development * Demonstrated expertise with fit-for-purpose assay development Education and Experience: * PhD in ...

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Assay Development Scientist information

See Seattle, WA salary details

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How much do assay development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for assay development scientist in Seattle, WA is $44.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.31 and $52.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assay development scientist?

An Assay Development Scientist designs, optimizes, and validates biochemical and cell-based assays for drug discovery, diagnostics, or research applications. They work with a variety of techniques such as ELISA, PCR, and high-throughput screening to measure biological or chemical responses. Their role involves troubleshooting, data analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure assay accuracy and reproducibility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assay development scientist?

To thrive as an Assay Development Scientist, you need a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, along with experience in assay design, optimization, and validation. Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation such as plate readers, liquid handlers, and data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism or SoftMax Pro), as well as familiarity with regulatory guidelines, is often required. Effective problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and strong communication skills set exceptional candidates apart. These abilities ensure the successful development of reliable assays, facilitate collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and support impactful scientific advancements.

What does an assay development scientist do?

A typical day for an Assay Development Scientist involves designing experiments, running and optimizing biochemical or cell-based assays, analyzing data, and documenting results. You will often collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including research scientists, project managers, and quality assurance specialists, to ensure assays meet project requirements. Regular meetings to discuss progress, troubleshoot technical challenges, and plan next steps are common. The role also involves staying up-to-date with new technologies and industry standards to continuously improve assay performance.

What are popular job titles related to Assay Development Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Assay Development Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Assay Development Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Assay Development Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Infographic showing various Assay Development Scientist job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,571 per year, or $44 per hour.

Scientist, Assay Development

RareCyte

Seattle, WA

$120K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 hours ago

Posted today


Job description

RareCyte is a Life Sciences Precision Biology company focused on the development of novel technology and products in spatial biology and liquid biopsy. Our platforms have been adopted by leading research institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide for translational research, drug discovery and clinical programs. The breakthrough Orion technology is revolutionary in the spatial biology market, enabling tissue analysis with 20 channel whole-slide multiplex imaging in a single run.

RareCyte is looking for an Assay Development Scientist based in our Seattle, WA office. The successful candidate will work in the Precision Biology Services group and be responsible for developing new assays and running clinical trials in our liquid biopsy and spatial biology programs. We are looking for someone who enjoys helping bring new technologies to market, embraces challenges, and thrives in a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities:
    • Develop robust assays for characterizing rare cells in human blood, including circulating tumor cells and circulating trophoblasts, and develop multiplex spatial biology assays for tissue using antibodies and automated staining instrumentation
    • Perform testing, analysis and reporting of clinical trial samples in liquid biopsy and spatial biology
    • Provide technical leadership for novel programs that expand the applications and utility of the RareCyte platforms
    • Plan, execute, analyze and present experimental results for assay development programs
    • Write milestone-based work plans for assay development services for pharma/biotech clients and for strategic academic collaborations
    • Work with the leadership team and the Project Manager to achieve program goals in the expected timeline and within budget
    • Deliver high quality client presentations and represent the company at scientific events
    • Adopt a customer-oriented mindset and take ownership of projects by anticipating end-user needs (internal and external)
    • Establish experimental and QC protocols to transfer methods and reagents to Research Associates and the production team
    • Support the applications team to increase platform adoption and solve customer challenges
Qualifications:
    • PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics or a related field; oncology experience and/or placental development a plus
    • 3+ years of Industry experience developing assays and using new technologies
    • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and quality to achieve aggressive turnaround times
    • Experience developing antibody-based assays
    • Experience with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy and flow cytometry
    • Familiar with biostatistics, prism software
    • High attention to detail for lab work and presentations
    • Excellent writing and presentation skills
    • Creative thinker, self-driven and highly organized

Compensation:

Base Salary Range: $120,000 - $135,000 (annualized)

Determining a base wage will be based on several factors which include skill set, level of education, experience and qualifications, as well as RareCyte internal equity. Some roles may also qualify for additional compensation such as bonus, commission, stock options and travel allowance.

Benefits:

At RareCyte, we support our employees in and out of the office. Click here to view a list of benefits offered to eligible employees.


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We love talking to qualified candidates! Even if you don't fit the description perfectly, please still apply and we'll review your resume.
 
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
 
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RareCyte Human Resources at hr@rarecyte.com.
 
RareCyte is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. If there are future COVID-19 or similar pandemic outbreaks, RareCyte will follow applicable recommendations or requirements from the Washington State Department of Health and other relevant public health authorities regarding vaccine implementation and workplace safety measures for all team members. Vaccination may become a condition of employment where required or deemed necessary to maintain a safe workplace. Employees or applicants who are unable to comply due to a qualifying medical condition, disability, or sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for a reasonable accommodation through Human Resources at hr@rarecyte.com.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.