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Method Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Scientist- 1232

San Diego, CA · On-site

$115K - $135K/yr

Plan and execute feasibility studies, method development, method validation, and technology ... Scientific Leadership and Troubleshooting * Stay current on advances in toxicology testing and ...

Senior Scientist- 1232

San Diego, CA · On-site

$115K - $135K/yr

Plan and execute feasibility studies, method development, method validation, and technology ... Mentor and train scientists and laboratory staff on new methods, best practices, and technical ...

Plan and execute feasibility studies, method development, method validation, and technology ... Scientific Leadership and Troubleshooting * Stay current on advances in toxicology testing and ...

The Senior Development Scientist for Beckman Coulter Diagnostics is responsible for completing ... Considerable knowledge of scientific methods, experimental design, laboratory best practices, and ...

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Method Development Scientist information

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$20

$38

$61

How much do method development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for method development scientist in the United States is $38.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.37 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Method Development Scientist vs Analytical Chemist?

AspectMethod Development ScientistAnalytical Chemist
Primary FocusDesigning and optimizing new analytical methodsPerforming routine analysis and testing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product developmentQuality control labs, manufacturing support
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry or related field
Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, chemicalsPharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics

While both roles require a background in chemistry and similar credentials, a Method Development Scientist focuses on creating and refining new analytical methods, often in research and development settings. An Analytical Chemist typically performs routine testing and analysis to ensure product quality. The roles are complementary but differ mainly in scope and focus within the industry.

What is a method development scientist?

Method Development Scientists are professionals who design, develop, and validate analytical methods used to test and measure chemical, biological, or physical properties in various samples. They work primarily in laboratories within industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental science. Their role ensures that testing methods are accurate, reliable, and compliant with regulatory standards, which is crucial for product development, quality control, and safety assessment.

What are some typical challenges a method development scientist might encounter during the development of new analytical methods?

A Method Development Scientist often faces challenges such as optimizing analytical procedures for sensitivity and specificity, troubleshooting instrument or sample issues, and ensuring methods are robust enough for routine use. Balancing regulatory compliance with innovative approaches can also be demanding, especially when adapting methods to complex or novel sample matrices. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as QC, R&D, and regulatory affairs, is key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring successful method validation and transfer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a method development scientist?

To thrive as a Method Development Scientist, you need a solid background in analytical chemistry, experience with experimental design, and at least a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or a related field. Expertise with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, and mass spectrometry, as well as familiarity with regulatory guidelines and data analysis software, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel when troubleshooting and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for developing robust, reliable methods that support quality control, regulatory compliance, and innovation in scientific research.
More about Method Development Scientist jobs
What states have the most Method Development Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Method Development Scientist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Method Development Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,420 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

FSP Senior Research Scientist-Dissolution Method Development

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Collegeville, PA

$90K - $123K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 422 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

196th of 537 rated manufacturers


Job description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Description:

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

Location/Division Specific Information

Thermo Fisher's clinical research business is a leading global contract research organization and world leader in serving science. We are passionate, deliberate, and driven by our mission – to enable our clients to make the world healthier, safer, and cleaner.

Within our Analytical Services team, we have a functional service provider solution, which is an outstanding partnership that allows our customers to use the experience of our staff, while allowing you, the employee, to gain direct experience working onsite at a pharmaceutical/ biopharmaceutical company, all while maintaining full-time benefits.

This is an onsite position located in Collegeville, PA.

Discover Impactful Work

The Senior Research Scientist independently performs, oversees, and directs a variety of routine to complex sample preparation and analysis procedures to quantitatively measure pharmaceutical compounds for Long-Acting Injectables. Responsible for strategic planning, review, and compilation of results and data comparison against SOP acceptance criteria, methodology, protocol, and product specifications. Provides strategic technical guidance and mentorship to the analytical team. Leads the development and implementation of new analytical methods and procedures. Acts as a primary point of contact for high-level client interactions and strategic project updates.

A Day in the Life

  • Independently plans the best scientific approach to develop analytical methods and/or other specialty technologies studies that meet client requirements.

• Acts as on-site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for instrumentation / technique / technology.

• Evaluates available technical options to obtain desired quality of analytical results, economics, ease of introduction into a production environment, and robustness in analytical applications.

• Demonstrates viability of in-house developed methods by designing experiments or other appropriate aspects of specialty methodology or technology.

• Ability to lead client discussions regarding project definitions, technical information exchanges and discussions of project status. Provides recommendations to clients on technical and regulatory issues.

• Leads in developing innovative technology and in evaluating and implementing new capabilities.

• Completes all laboratory documentation in clear and accurate language and according to SOP and GLPs.  Leads advanced troubleshooting for various equipment & instruments.

• Reviews protocols, compiles results from assignments and makes determination on acceptability per SOP acceptance criteria. Reviews overall study results and other project related technical documents.

Keys to Success

  • Previous experience in or non-GMP development phase laboratory
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
  • Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 10+ years).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Demonstrated knowledge of multiple analytical techniques with an emphasis on dissolution testing, Apparatus 1, 2, & 4 dissolution, non-compendial or novel dissolution
  • 2-5 years' experience doing method development on dissolution
  • Experience leading or contributing to dissolution method development
  • Knowledge of pH, pKa, buffer systems, surfactants, solubility
  • Performs and interprets analyses using techniques such as RP‑HPLC, SEC, UV‑Vis, DLS, and SCISSor,
  • Knowledgeable about the drug formulation and development process
  • Experienced in HPLC method development and understanding separation theory
  • Has experience in testing of long acting parenterals/injectables (e.g., implants, injectable suspensions, in-situ-forming gels, etc.) or controlled/modified release formulations
  • Able to contribute to innovative approaches to achieve project goals
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Experience with documenting using electronic laboratory notebooks
  • Proven problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Time management and project management skills
  • Self-starter but able to work in a collaborative team environment
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach junior staff to support professional growth and scientific excellence

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

Thermo Fisher Scientific values the health and wellbeing of our employees. We support and encourage individuals to create a healthy and balanced environment where they can thrive. Below is listed the working environment/requirements for this role:

  • Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
  • Able to work upright and stationary and/or standing for typical working hours.
  • Able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
  • Able to work in non-traditional work environments.
  • Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
  • May have exposure to potentially hazardous elements typically found in healthcare or laboratory environments.
  • Ability to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and managing multiple projects or activities
  • This is an on-site based role with daily laboratory work

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