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$190.5K

How much do associate principal scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate principal scientist in the United States is $144,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the salary of a principal scientist in the US?

The salary of a principal scientist in the US typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles with advanced expertise or leadership responsibilities can earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.

How much does a principal scientist get paid?

A principal scientist's salary typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on factors such as industry, location, experience, and company size. They often hold advanced degrees and have extensive research or technical expertise, which can influence compensation levels.

What does an Associate Principal Scientist do?

An Associate Principal Scientist is a senior-level researcher who leads scientific projects and teams within an organization, often in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or chemicals. Their responsibilities typically include designing and overseeing experiments, analyzing data, publishing research findings, and mentoring junior scientists. They also collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop new products or processes and ensure research aligns with organizational goals. Associate Principal Scientists are expected to demonstrate deep expertise in their field and contribute to strategic decision-making.

What are some common collaborative projects an Associate Principal Scientist might work on within a cross-functional team?

As an Associate Principal Scientist, you will frequently collaborate with professionals from various disciplines such as regulatory affairs, clinical development, and data analysis. Typical projects include designing and executing research studies, troubleshooting technical challenges, and interpreting complex data sets to inform decision-making. This role often requires strong communication skills to translate scientific findings into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Effective cross-functional collaboration is essential for driving innovation and ensuring project success.

How much does a principal scientist make at Pfizer?

A principal scientist at Pfizer typically earns an average salary ranging from $120,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific department. Compensation may also include bonuses, stock options, and benefits. Salaries for senior scientific roles can vary based on expertise and years of experience.

What is an associate principal scientist?

An associate principal scientist is a senior research professional who leads scientific projects, develops strategies, and collaborates across teams to advance research objectives. They typically have extensive expertise in their field, strong analytical skills, and may oversee junior staff or manage project timelines within a research or development environment.

What is the difference between Associate Principal Scientist vs Principal Scientist?

AspectAssociate Principal ScientistPrincipal Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree (PhD or MS), relevant industry experienceSimilar credentials, often with more years of experience
Work EnvironmentCollaborative research teams, project-focusedLeadership roles, strategic planning
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, or research organizationsSame industries, higher seniority

The Associate Principal Scientist typically functions as a senior researcher with significant expertise, focusing on executing research projects and contributing to scientific knowledge. The Principal Scientist holds a more senior, leadership-oriented role, often overseeing research strategies and mentoring teams. The main difference lies in the level of responsibility and leadership within the organization, with Principal Scientists generally having more influence on project direction and decision-making.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Principal Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Principal Scientist, you need advanced expertise in scientific research, data analysis, and often a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, data management software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required, along with potential certifications depending on the industry. Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help drive projects forward and foster innovation within cross-functional teams. These skills ensure rigorous research, regulatory adherence, and effective advancement of scientific initiatives in a highly competitive environment.
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Associate Principal Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Principal Scientist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,009 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Associate Principal Scientist - Environmental Monitoring/Microbiology

Lonza

Portsmouth, NH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Lonza rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 71 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

Associate Principal Scientist - Environmental Monitoring/Microbiology
Location: Portsmouth, NH, USA.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
We are seeking a high-performing technical leader to join our Quality Control team in Portsmouth, NH, as an Associate Principal Scientist. This newly created, standalone position reports directly to the Associate Director and serves as a vital component of the site's "Vision Zero" contamination control strategy. Operating as an elite individual contributor, you will be responsible for reducing microbial risks across both upstream and downstream manufacturing assets. The ideal candidate will act as a standalone change leader on the floor and a technical liaison to the Global Network, embedding a proactive microbial control culture through hands-on coaching, risk assessments, and advanced troubleshooting.
This is a fully site-based role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.
What will you get?
  • An agile career and dynamic working culture
  • An inclusive and ethical workplace
  • Direct Leadership Exposure: Operate in a critical, standalone capacity with direct reporting visibility to the Associate Director.
  • Technical Authority: Serve as a high-impact Subject Matter Expert (SME) during internal, customer, and high-stakes regulatory audits.
  • Compensation programs that recognize high performance
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as PTO and more
  • Our full list of global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.

What you'll do:
  • Contamination Control Strategy: Own the standalone development and execution of compliant, effective, and modern contamination control strategies within Cell Therapy.
  • Risk Assessments & RCA: Facilitate standard Risk Assessments (RAs) to identify and control microbial mechanisms, and lead root cause analysis (RCA) investigations for contamination events or low-level trends.
  • In-Lab Mentorship: Dedicate approximately 5% of the week to high-impact, in-lab presence-leading shop-floor GEMBA walks to drive proactive microbial control through real-time observation, hands-on teaching, and active coaching of manufacturing personnel.
  • Cross-Functional Communication: Establish clear lines of communication between assets to ensure technical lessons learned are effectively shared on both local and global corporate platforms.
  • Aseptic Training Delivery: Develop and deliver specialized aseptic awareness and contamination control training programs tailored to the needs of the cell therapy asset.
  • Lifecycle Documentation Ownership: Review, update, and align local SOPs, protocols, and change controls to ensure technical modifications do not negatively impact the site's microbial control posture.
  • Customer Collaboration: Partner closely with internal asset heads and represent the site during customer meetings to address contamination control data, trends, and preventive actions.

What we're looking for:
  • Experience: 5-10 years of advanced experience in Microbiology paired with 5-10 years of working knowledge in GMP manufacturing environments.
  • Technical Mastery: Deep technical knowledge of cleanroom engineering, particle control mechanisms, and a strong regulatory understanding of environmental monitoring (EM) programs to proactively assess controls.
  • Audit & Investigation Skills: Proven hands-on experience leading complex contamination investigations and a strong familiarity with major pharmaceutical industry regulations and guidelines.
  • Matrix Influence: Advanced experience influencing and guiding cross-functional teams and driving site-wide operational change as a standalone technical expert.
  • Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills with an ability to simplify complex data, resolve conflicts across assets, and deliver logical proposals under critical timelines.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree is required, with preference for degrees in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related Scientific field.
  • Compliance Mindset: Uncompromising commitment to Data Integrity principles and cGMP guidelines in all aspects of execution.

About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that's the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you're ready to help turn our customers' breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.

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