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Director Assay Development Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Vanderbilt Health

Research Assistant (Idrees)

Nashville, TN

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

JOB SUMMARY Provide, under direct supervision, support for specified research projects; collect ... KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Under supervision, run experiments, assays, and record results Read and follow ...

Labcorp

Lab Supervisor - Flow Cytometry

Brentwood, TN

Monitor daily workflow in the lab and schedule adequate assay coverage * Responsible for ensuring ... Meet regularly with direct reports to provide coaching and feedback for their development * Perform ...

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All JobsAssay Development JobsDirector Assay Development JobsDirector Assay Development Jobs in Tennessee

Director Assay Development information

See Tennessee salary details

$19.1K

$84.7K

$163.4K

How much do director assay development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director assay development in Tennessee is $84,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,800.00 and $93,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Assay Development vs Senior Assay Scientist?

AspectDirector Assay DevelopmentSenior Assay Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degree (PhD or MS), leadership experienceMaster's or PhD, specialized technical expertise
Work EnvironmentLeadership, project management, cross-functional teamsLaboratory research, assay development, experimental work
Employer & IndustryBiotech, pharma, diagnostics companiesResearch labs, biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in assay developmentTechnical assay development and research roles

The main difference between a Director Assay Development and a Senior Assay Scientist lies in their responsibilities and experience. The Director oversees project strategy, manages teams, and interacts with upper management, while the Senior Assay Scientist focuses on hands-on assay development and technical research. Both roles require strong scientific credentials, but the director position emphasizes leadership and strategic planning.

What are the primary challenges faced by a Director of Assay Development when leading cross-functional teams?

A Director of Assay Development often manages multidisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, and regulatory specialists. One of the main challenges is ensuring clear communication and alignment among team members with diverse expertise and priorities, especially when balancing scientific innovation with regulatory compliance and project timelines. Additionally, adapting to evolving technologies and customer requirements while maintaining assay robustness and reproducibility can be demanding. Effective leadership in this role requires fostering collaboration, efficiently resolving conflicts, and strategically prioritizing resources to meet both short-term milestones and long-term organizational goals.

What does a Director of Assay Development do?

A Director of Assay Development leads teams responsible for designing, developing, and validating laboratory assays, which are tests used to detect or measure specific biological molecules. They oversee project timelines, ensure regulatory compliance, manage budgets, and collaborate with research, clinical, and commercial teams. This role often involves strategic planning, troubleshooting technical challenges, and ensuring that assay products meet quality and performance standards necessary for clinical or research applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Assay Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Assay Development, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree (PhD or MS) and extensive experience in assay design and validation. Familiarity with laboratory automation, data analysis software, and regulatory standards such as CLIA or GLP is typically required. Leadership, project management, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating across departments. These competencies are crucial for ensuring robust assay performance, meeting regulatory requirements, and driving innovation within the organization.
What are popular job titles related to Director Assay Development jobs in Tennessee? For Director Assay Development jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Assay Development jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Director Assay Development jobs in Tennessee are:
Director Assay Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Assay Development job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 82% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 5% Summer. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,726 per year, or $40.7 per hour.
Staff Scientist - Term

Staff Scientist - Term

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Vanderbilt University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

183rd of 612 rated colleges and universities

Job description


Key Functions and Expected Performances:
Scientific Research and Experimental Design (50%)
  • Design, execute, and optimize biochemical experiments to characterize protein function and evaluate small molecule modulators.
  • Express and purify recombinant proteins for biochemical and enzymatic studies.
  • Develop and optimize quantitative biochemical assays to support compound discovery and characterization.
  • Analyze experimental data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend future experimental directions.

Cellular and Molecular Studies (30%)
  • Perform mammalian cell culture experiments to evaluate the cellular activity of candidate compounds.
  • Conduct molecular and biochemical analyses, including immunoblotting and other standard cell biology techniques.
  • Perform assays to investigate DNA replication, genome stability, and cellular responses to replication stress.
  • Integrate biochemical and cellular data to support target validation and mechanism-of-action studies.

Research Communication and Laboratory Operations (20%)
  • Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure compliance with institutional laboratory safety and research policies.
  • Present research findings during laboratory meetings and collaborative discussions.
  • Contribute to manuscripts, technical reports, and grant-related documentation.
  • Collaborate effectively with investigators and research staff across multiple scientific disciplines.
  • Assist with laboratory organization, equipment maintenance, and reagent management.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator. The Scientist is expected to function independently while working collaboratively with laboratory personnel and research collaborators. The position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide technical guidance and mentorship to trainees and junior laboratory personnel.
Education and Certifications:
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a closely related biomedical discipline.
Experience and Skills:
  • Minimum of four (4) years of postdoctoral research experience in DNA replication, replication stress responses, genome stability, or a related field.
  • Extensive experience in protein biochemistry and recombinant protein purification is required.
  • Expertise in enzymatic assay development and quantitative biochemical analysis is required.
  • Experience with mammalian cell culture is required.
  • Proficiency in immunoblotting and standard molecular biology techniques is required.
  • Experience in performing DNA replication or genome stability assays is required.
  • Strong experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting skills is required.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research environment is required.
  • Experience with small molecule discovery or characterization is preferred.
  • Familiarity with drug discovery workflows or assay development is preferred.
  • Knowledge of genome maintenance, DNA repair, or replication stress pathways is preferred.
  • Experience with fluorescence-based biochemical assays or quantitative screening methods is preferred.
  • Strong publication records in peer-reviewed scientific journals is preferred.

About Us
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. 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, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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