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$21K

$93.3K

$180K

How much do director assay development jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director assay development in the United States is $93,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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Director Assay Development jobs near you
Research Associate II/III, Assay Development (Contract)

Research Associate II/III, Assay Development (Contract)

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.

Redwood City, CA

$25 - $40/hr

Contractor

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a mission-driven clinical-stage company that aims to establish gene therapy as a new standard of care for highly prevalent ocular diseases with the aspiration of developing functional cures to restore vision and prevent blindness. Leveraging the research capabilities of its proprietary intravitreal (IVT) platform, Adverum is developing durable, single-administration therapies designed to be delivered in physicians' offices to eliminate the need for frequent ocular injections to treat these diseases. By overcoming the challenges associated with current treatment paradigms for these debilitating ocular diseases, Adverum aspires to transform the standard of care, preserve vision, and create a profound societal impact around the globe.

Adverum is looking for a Research Associate II or III (contract) to join our team in our Redwood City office. This position reports to a Scientist/Team Leader in Assay Development.  This person will be working with Assay Development, Quality Control, and Process Development departments.  This role is responsible for testing and troubleshooting molecular biology, ligand binding and protein characterization assays in support of product and process characterization.

Note to Recruiters and Agencies
All recruiter and agency inquiries must go through Adverum's internal Talent Acquisition team.  Unsolicited resumes sent to Adverum will be considered Adverum's property.   Adverum's Talent Acquisition team must expressly engage agencies for any requisition.  Direct contact with hiring managers by agencies will not be tolerated and may affect your ability to work with Adverum in the future.

 
What you'll do:

  • Work with senior scientific personnel to test and troubleshoot molecular biology, ligand binding and protein characterization assays in a subset of the following categories: 

  • Molecular biology assays including qPCR, ddPCR, and nucleic acid extraction

  • Ligand binding assays including ELISA

  • Protein characterization assays including chromatography, electrophoresis, and light scattering assays

  • Execute experimental plans.

  • Conduct sample analysis following standard procedures.

  • Participate in decisions on experimental approaches and interpretation of data.

  • Author test procedures, documented standard test methods, and SOPs.

  • Present project status updates to AD team members.

  • Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements for product characterization assays.

  • Maintain excellent documentation of laboratory activities.

  • Perform routine lab maintenance.

  • Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

About you:

  • Bachelor's degree in a life sciences field with 2+ years of relevant experience in a biotech company or fast-paced academic research lab, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Experience in generating high quality and reproducible data employing accurate documentation is required.

  • Knowledge of protein and DNA chemistry is required.

  • Experience with molecular biology, ligand binding, and/or protein characterization assays is strongly desired.

  • Experience in AAV-based gene therapy is a plus.

  • Knowledge of SoftMaxPro, QuantStudio, Empower, and/or other common analytical software is a plus.

  • Must be a self-starter, proactive, cooperative, and proficient at working both independently and in a small team environment.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Proficient with MS Office and other common office software.

$25 - $40 an hour
Hourly depends on experience.
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