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Assay Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... D Scientist who will lead assay development efforts spanning flow cytometry and NGS technologies ... This individual will play a key role in developing assays for the characterization of tumor and ...

... D Scientist who will lead assay development efforts spanning flow cytometry and NGS technologies ... This individual will play a key role in developing assays for the characterization of tumor and ...

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How much do assay development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for assay development scientist in the United States is $38.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.37 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Assay Development Scientist job?

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 in the Assay Development Scientist position, and why are they important?

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 a typical day look like for an Assay Development Scientist?

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 cities are hiring for Assay Development Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Assay Development Scientist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Assay Development Scientist jobs? The most popular types of Assay Development Scientist jobs are:
What states have the most Assay Development Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Assay Development Scientist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Assay Development Scientist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 84% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 6% Summer. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,420 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Scientist/Senior Scientist, Assay Development - Molecular Assay Chemistry and Biophysics

SpearBio

Woburn, MA • On-site

$115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Spear Bio, founded in 2021, is a well-funded and rapidly growing biotech start-up headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts. Our proprietary technology, Successive Proximity Extension Amplification Reaction (SPEAR), is a novel wash-free immunoassay platform, offering unprecedented sensitivity. We are dedicated to revolutionizing early disease diagnosis and monitoring by providing scalable, ultrasensitive solutions that deliver unparalleled accuracy in measuring low-abundant biomarkers, enabling clinicians and researchers to improve patient outcomes and advance global health.
Scientist/Senior Scientist, Assay Development - Molecular Assay Chemistry and Biophysics
Our Assay Development team builds assays for low-abundance protein biomarkers that are challenging to measure using conventional approaches. We are seeking a creative, hands-on scientist with strong fundamentals in chemistry, biophysics, and molecular interactions who enjoys solving difficult technical problems from first principles.
The Scientist / Senior Scientist will design, optimize, and troubleshoot innovative protein-detection assays that integrate antibody-based recognition, nucleic-acid interactions, conjugation chemistry, reaction kinetics, and quantitative analytical methods.
We are looking for a scientist who genuinely enjoys troubleshooting. The ideal candidate is persistent, analytical, creative, and comfortable working through uncertainty. This person should be motivated by understanding the underlying mechanism and should thrive in a fast-moving startup environment with high scientific standards.
The successful candidate will be comfortable investigating why an assay behaves unexpectedly, developing mechanistic hypotheses, designing discriminating experiments, and systematically improving assay sensitivity, specificity, robustness, and reproducibility.
We welcome applications from exceptional recent Ph.D. graduates and postdoctoral fellows with strong hands-on research ownership, as well as startup and industry scientists who have demonstrated rapid growth in technical scope and responsibility. **This role is based onsite in our lab in Woburn, MA 5 days/week.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop ultrasensitive protein-detection assays from concept through feasibility, optimization, analytical characterization, verification, and transfer.
  • Develop and optimize antibody and protein-reagent to maximize analytical and clinical performance , including antibody selection, protein structural properties, epitope-pair assessment, conjugation chemistry, reagent purification, and stability evaluation.
  • Troubleshoot assay-performance issues, including low signal, nonspecific background, limited sensitivity, poor reproducibility, matrix effects, instability, and lot-to-lot variability, using a mechanistic understanding of binding kinetics, affinity, avidity, thermodynamics, steric effects, and molecular interactions.
  • Design efficient experiments and use structured approaches, including design of experiments where appropriate, to identify root causes and optimize performance.
  • Collaborate closely with Platform, Product Development, Operations, and Business Development teams to transition assays from feasibility through verification and transfer.
  • Prepare clear scientific presentations, technical reports, study summaries, abstracts, and publications.

Requirements:
  • Ph.D. in • Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Molecular Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Strong fundamental understanding of molecular interactions involving nucleic acids, proteins, or both.
  • Experience with protein-protein and antigen-antibody interactions, including affinity, avidity, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience creating and designing immunoassays, protein-detection methods, molecular-diagnostics assays, or an innovative life-science analytical platform.
  • Strong experimental-design and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to develop mechanistic hypotheses and test them efficiently.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, analyze complex data, and make sound technical decisions.
    • Evidence of meaningful scientific contributions through peer-reviewed publications, patents, conference presentations, or platform-development programs.
    • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
    • Ability to work onsite five days per week in Woburn, Massachusetts. Candidates must be based in the Greater Boston area or able to relocate before the start date.
  • Can work 5 days/week on site in Woburn, MA .

We offer competitive compensation, meaningful stock ownership, comprehensive benefits, and a great work environment. This is an opportunity to enter an innovative, high-growth startup at an early stage and play an integral role in the company's growth and success. We are focused on identifying candidates who have demonstrated leadership and excellence throughout their careers and are excited by the prospect of building an industry-leading company.
Spear Bio Inc. provides equal opportunity in employment to all persons. No person shall be denied equal access because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical/mental disability.
Spear Bio does not accept resume submissions from external recruiting agencies. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted without prior written agreement will be deemed the property of Spear Bio, and no placement fees will be paid.