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Director Assay Development Jobs in Boone, IA (NOW HIRING)

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Director Assay Development information

See Boone, IA salary details

$20.7K

$91.9K

$177.3K

How much do director assay development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for director assay development in Boone, IA is $91,931.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,400.00 and $101,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director 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 primary challenges faced by a director 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director 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 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 cities near Boone, IA are hiring for Director Assay Development jobs?

Cities near Boone, IA with the most Director Assay Development job openings:

Director Assay Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Assay Development job openings in Boone, IA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 2% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,931 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbiology, Antimicrobial Discovery, and Diagnostic Technolo...

Iowa State University

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Iowa State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

385th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbiology, Antimicrobial Discovery, and Diagnostic TechnologiesAppointment Type:Post Doc/TraineeJob Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Rued Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to several innovative research projects focused on microbial pathogenesis, antimicrobial discovery, and diagnostic assay development. Research areas include investigating the regulation of streptococcal peptide systems, applying artificial intelligence approaches to design novel antimicrobial peptides targeting Salmonella and Campylobacter, and validating a rapid minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments, analyzing and interpreting data, preparing manuscripts for publication, and presenting research findings. The successful candidate will be expected to independently manage multiple research projects and provide regular updates regarding scientific progress and project outcomes. In addition, the individual will supervise and mentor graduate students and summer veterinary scholars supported through these research programs.

We seek a highly motivated scientist with a strong record of research productivity who is interested in advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of microbiology, antimicrobial development, artificial intelligence, and diagnostic technologies.

Required Minimum Qualifications:
PhD in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or related

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience performing molecular biology techniques, including DNA isolation, RNA isolation, PCR, qPCR, and gene expression analysis.
  • Experience operating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and/or Raman spectroscopy instrumentation.
  • Experience working with Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) bacterial organisms, including Streptococcus, Salmonella, and/or Campylobacter.
  • Experience isolating, characterizing, or evaluating small peptides.
  • Record of authorship on peer-reviewed scientific publications and experience mentoring student researchers.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine (VMPM) at Iowa State University is dedicated to advancing animal and public health through excellence in research, teaching, and service. Department faculty conduct innovative research on infectious diseases, host-pathogen interactions, and microbial biology while contributing to the education and training of veterinary and graduate students

Department Unit/Website:
Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine - Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

  • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
  • Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
  • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
  • Life insurance and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Various voluntary benefits and discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Wellbeing program
  • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:September 14, 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:Time Type:Full timePay Grade:Post DocsOriginal Posting Date:August 13, 2026Posting Close Date:August 20, 2026Job Requisition Number:R19763

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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