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Assay Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Assay Development information

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$38

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How much do assay development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for assay development in California is $38.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.98 and $45.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced when developing new assays, and how can they be addressed?

Assay Development professionals often encounter challenges such as optimizing assay sensitivity and specificity, troubleshooting inconsistent results, and adapting protocols for high-throughput environments. These issues are typically addressed through systematic optimization of reagents and conditions, rigorous validation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams like R&D, quality assurance, and automation specialists. Clear documentation and regular team meetings also help in quickly identifying and resolving technical hurdles, ensuring the assay meets project goals and regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in assay development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Assay Development, you need a solid background in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or advanced training. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, data analysis software, and validation protocols is typically required, along with experience in techniques like ELISA, PCR, or cell-based assays. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of assays, which are critical for research, diagnostics, and product development.

What is the difference between Assay Development vs Laboratory Scientist?

AspectAssay DevelopmentLaboratory Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, relevant certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, biotech companies, pharmaceutical firmsResearch labs, hospitals, biotech companies
Industry UsageDesigning and optimizing assays for research and diagnosticsPerforming experiments, data collection, and analysis

Assay Development focuses on creating and optimizing diagnostic or research assays, while Laboratory Scientists perform experiments and analyze data within the lab. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in similar environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What does an assay development scientist do?

An assay development scientist designs, optimizes, and validates laboratory tests to measure specific biological or chemical substances. They work with techniques such as ELISA, PCR, or spectrophotometry, often using specialized equipment and adhering to regulatory standards to ensure assay accuracy and reliability.

What is assay development?

Assay development is the process of designing and optimizing laboratory tests to detect or measure specific biological molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, or small compounds. It involves selecting appropriate techniques, reagents, and conditions to ensure accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility, often requiring knowledge of biochemistry and instrumentation. Assay development is essential in fields like diagnostics, drug discovery, and research to generate reliable data for decision-making.

What are the most commonly searched types of Assay Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Assay Development jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Assay Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Assay Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assay Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assay Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Assay Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,367 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Senior Scientist, Reagent/Assay Development

Roche

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Roche rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

The Senior Scientist, Reagent/Assay Development will contribute to the development and optimization of reagents and assays for next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications. This role combines hands-on laboratory work, experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting to improve reagent and workflow performance, robustness, and manufacturability.

The Opportunity

As a scientist, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, including automation, software, engineering, quality, and operations, to support product development and transfer to manufacturing.

  • Conducting experiments to evaluate and optimize the performance of reagents, including assessing their stability, formulation, and manufacturing tolerances.
  • Designing, developing, and validating assays to assess the quality of both incoming and manufactured reagents.
  • Contributing to the establishment of manufacturing processes for reagents and transferring these processes to operations.
  • Analyzing experimental data, forming conclusions and suggesting future experiments, generating reports, and presenting findings to project teams.
  • Identifying and resolving issues related to reagent performance, assay development, or manufacturing processes.
  • Working closely with other scientists, engineers, and operations personnel to ensure the successful development and implementation of new reagents.
  • Adhering to good laboratory practices, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring the proper maintenance of laboratory equipment, laboratory spaces, and inventory.
  • Keeping up-to-date with scientific literature and technological advancements in the field of reagent development.
Who You Are
  • You bring a Bachelor's degree in Biological/Life Sciences,Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field, and 5 years of experience with NGS workflows, reagent development, assay development in a product-development environment (anequivalent combination of education and work experience is acceptable)
  • Preferred: you bring a Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, bioengineering, or a related field, with 0-3 years of NGS-related research or industry experience.

Behaviors, competencies, and qualities of the ideal applicant.

  • Strong hands-on experience with NGS and molecular biology techniques.
  • Experience with laboratory automation and automated instrumentation, including workflow development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
  • Proficiency in Python or other relevant programming languages for data analysis, visualization, and/or automation.
  • Strong skills in experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.
  • Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and process optimization is a plus.
  • Experience collaborating with automation, software, and mechanical engineering teams is a plus.

Relocation Benefits are not offered for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on California is $99,000 - $133 400. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100'000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.


Let's build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.


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