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Assay Development Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Assay Development Scientist

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$37.50 - $47/hr

As our Assay Development Scientist , you will be the primary architect of our internal molecular biology toolkit, transforming cutting-edge academic and commercial protocols into robust, highly ...

Assay Development Scientist

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$37.50 - $47/hr

As our Assay Development Scientist , you will be the primary architect of our internal molecular biology toolkit, transforming cutting-edge academic and commercial protocols into robust, highly ...

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ... Conducting laboratory studies to evaluate assay performance under guidance from scientific staff

... assays, adjusting your approach to accommodate nonstandard requests as needed. You will also be ... This role provides the opportunity to work cross-functionally with R&D scientists, automation ...

... assays, adjusting your approach to accommodate nonstandard requests as needed. You will also be ... This role provides the opportunity to work cross-functionally with R&D scientists, automation ...

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Assay Development information

See Oregon salary details

$21

$40

$65

How much do assay development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for assay development in Oregon is $40.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.00 and $48.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some 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 assay development?

Assay development is the process of designing and optimizing laboratory tests to detect or measure specific substances, such as proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecules. It involves selecting appropriate techniques, reagents, and controls to ensure accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility for research or diagnostic purposes. Assay development often requires knowledge of biochemistry, instrumentation, and validation procedures.

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. Their goal is to create reliable assays for research, diagnostics, or pharmaceutical applications.

What biology jobs pay over $100k?

Assay development roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies often pay over $100,000 annually, especially for senior scientists with advanced skills in molecular biology, assay design, and data analysis. Positions such as senior research scientists, lead assay developers, and regulatory specialists typically require relevant experience, advanced degrees, and proficiency with laboratory tools and protocols.

What is an assay technician?

An assay technician is a laboratory professional responsible for performing and analyzing assays, which are tests used to measure the presence or concentration of substances in samples. They typically follow standardized protocols, operate specialized equipment, and ensure data accuracy in research or quality control settings.

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 are the most commonly searched types of Assay Development jobs in Oregon? The most popular types of Assay Development jobs in Oregon are:
What are popular job titles related to Assay Development jobs in Oregon? For Assay Development jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Assay Development job openings in Oregon as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,027 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Assay Development Scientist

e184

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

$37.50 - $47/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

About us:

e184 is a biotechnology research company dedicated to overcoming the limits of human biology. One of our programs in reproductive technologies develops in vitro gametogenesis to generate functional gametes from somatic cells, restoring biological parenthood across age, sex, and anatomy.

We work at the frontier of cutting-edge technology, integrating cellular reprogramming, machine learning-guided optimization, multi-omics analysis, and automated experimental workflows to enable gamete development for individuals facing reproductive challenges.

Role overview:

As our Assay Development Scientist, you will be the primary architect of our internal molecular biology toolkit, transforming cutting-edge academic and commercial protocols into robust, highly standardized workflows. Your mission is to bridge the gap between "published methods" and "internal gold standards". This role focuses on troubleshooting complex sample types, optimizing assays for low-input requirements, and collaborating with our computational team to validate data quality through a rigorous feedback loop. Beyond the bench, you will evaluate emerging technologies, manage relationships with CROs, and spearhead our future transition toward automated liquid handling and miniaturized workflows. This is a role for a meticulous problem-solver who is passionate about technical excellence.


What you'll do
  • Architect the toolkit: Identify, internalize, implement, and optimize cutting-edge assays (RNAseq, scRNAseq, ATACseq, ChIP-seq, etc.) for our specific samples and instruments.
  • Push technology to the limit: Go beyond standard protocols and refine for ultra-low input samples where standard methods fail.
  • Establish gold standards: Author company SOPs that ensure absolute reproducibility across the entire R&D team.
  • Drive technical QC: Partner with our computational experts to analyze sequencing data and help decide which techniques are best for our platform.
  • Bring the future: Develop new molecular biology technologies, demo high-end equipment, and lead the charge toward miniaturization and automation via liquid handlers.
Core requirements
  • 5+ years of NGS mastery with deep, hands-on experience in sample prep across RNAseq, DNAseq, single-cell applications (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq), and DNA methylation sequencing in a fast-paced setting.

  • A proven track record of developing or heavily modifying assays for challenging contexts (low input, difficult sample types), not just following manual instructions.

  • Expert at interpreting Bioanalyzer/TapeStation traces and correlating library complexity with bench-side variables.

  • Ability to translate complex technical trade-offs into clear decisions for both scientists and engineers.

  • You are proactive, resourceful, obsessed with high-quality data, and thrive in a startup environment of constant troubleshooting.

You'll stand out with
  • Automation background with experience programming liquid handlers (Hamilton/Opentrons/Tecan).

  • A history of successfully miniaturizing reactions to slash costs while maintaining data integrity.

  • Experience setting up and running Illumina or Nanopore/PacBio sequencers in-house.

Why e184?
  • Unrivaled impact: Your work directly enables technology that transforms human fertility and reproductive medicine.

  • Full-spectrum growth: Gain exposure to the entire lifecycle of discovery. From screening to mechanistic validation.

  • Best of both worlds: Experience the creative chaos of an early-stage startup with the stability of a well-capitalized company.

  • Elite collaboration: Work alongside a world-class team who are as driven as you are.

What we offer
  • Competitive salary + equity participation is considered

  • State-of-the-art facility in Portland metro area

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401(k) with company match

  • 20 days PTO + 11 paid holidays

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.
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