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Method Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Development Scientist I

Chaska, MN · On-site

$32 - $34/hr

Additionally, you will be responsible for documentation of studies performed, including materials, methods, and conclusions. This position reports to the Manger of Development Science and is part of ...

Development Scientist I

Chaska, MN · On-site

$32 - $34/hr

Additionally, you will be responsible for documentation of studies performed, including materials, methods, and conclusions. This position reports to the Manger of Development Science and is part of ...

Additionally, you will be responsible for documentation of studies performed, including materials, methods, and conclusions. This position reports to the Manger of Development Science and is part of ...

Additionally, you will be responsible for documentation of studies performed, including materials, methods, and conclusions. This position reports to the Manger of Development Science and is part of ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Method Development Scientist information

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How much do method development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 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.

Which job has the highest salary in chemistry?

In chemistry, roles such as pharmaceutical research directors, senior chemists in the biotech industry, and chemical engineering managers tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, with salaries frequently exceeding $150,000 annually.

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.

Do I need a PhD to be a research scientist?

A research scientist role, including Method Development Scientists, typically requires at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as chemistry, biology, or biochemistry. While a PhD is often preferred for advanced research positions and independent projects, some roles may accept candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree combined with relevant experience and skills in laboratory techniques and data analysis.

What does a development scientist do?

A development scientist designs and optimizes laboratory procedures to create new products or improve existing ones, often working with techniques like chromatography, spectroscopy, or other analytical methods. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with teams to ensure processes meet quality and regulatory standards, typically using specialized software and maintaining detailed documentation.

What are Method Development Scientists?

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, and why are they important?

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.

What is the highest paid type of scientist?

Among scientists, petroleum engineers and data scientists tend to have the highest average salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. Method Development Scientists typically earn less, with salaries varying based on industry, experience, and location, but generally fall below the top-paying scientific roles.
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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% 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.
Analytical Development Scientist (HPLC)

Analytical Development Scientist (HPLC)

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Bedford, MA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 415 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

196th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Do you have a passion for innovative ideas and groundbreaking discoveries? With over $1 billion invested annually in R&D, at Thermo Fisher Scientific you’ll help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges, from giving cancer patients hope, ensuring safe drinking water and helping law enforcement tackle cases through forensics. We empower our teams to put science into meaningful action and give our R&D colleagues the autonomy, resources, and tools they need to take science a step beyond.

Location: On-site Bedford, MA. Relocation assistance is NOT provided. 

  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
  • Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

Discover Impactful Work:

We are seeking an innovative and highly motivated Analytical Development Scientist to join our R&D organization. In this role, you will contribute to the development and commercialization of next-generation analytical technologies with a primary focus on HPLC products and processes supporting critical to quality attributes in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries.

You will work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment to develop robust products, characterize product performance, and accelerate new product introductions that address critical customer needs. Experience or familiarity with analytical chromatography product development is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop, optimize, and apply analytical HPLC methods to characterize product performance and support new product development.
  • Design and execute experiments to evaluate product attributes relevant to regulated bioprocessing, biologics development, and drug-quality monitoring.
  • Develop analytical strategies to assess critical-to-quality attributes, including purity, aggregation, charge variants, identity, concentration, or other relevant product and process attributes.
  • Generate, analyze, and interpret complex analytical datasets to guide technical decisions, product requirements, and development strategy.
  • Evaluate HPLC product performance across relevant use conditions, sample types, workflows, and customer applications.
  • Support product development activities, including feasibility studies, prototype evaluation, design verification, process optimization, technology transfer, and commercialization.
  • Collaborate closely with Product Management, Applications, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial, and other R&D teams throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Support method transfer, manufacturing validation, and new product introduction activities through robust experimentation and clear documentation.
  • Author technical reports, protocols, SOPs, test methods, presentations, and other scientific documentation.
  • Identify technical risks, troubleshoot analytical challenges, and adapt experiments based on emerging data.
  • Contribute to innovation initiatives by identifying new applications, technologies, customer needs, and product opportunities.
  • Present technical findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders and, when appropriate, external customers.

How You Will Get Here:

Minimum Qualifications

  • Ph.D. or M.S. with 3+ years of experience in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field preferred; Bachelor's with 5+ years of experience in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field acceptable.
  • Hands-on experience with analytical chromatography systems, preferably HPLC or UHPLC.
  • Strong understanding of analytical chromatography principles, method development, method optimization, and data interpretation.
  • Experience developing or applying analytical methods used to characterize biological molecules, biopharmaceutical products, or process-related attributes.
  • Experience designing experiments, analyzing analytical data, troubleshooting methods, and drawing technically sound conclusions.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional technical teams.
  • Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in a regulated, GMP-adjacent, quality-control, analytical development, process development, or biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.
  • Familiarity with analytical methods used to monitor critical-to-quality attributes in biologics or bioprocessing workflows.
  • Experience with one or more analytical characterization techniques such as SEC, ion exchange chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography, HIC, affinity chromatography, ELISA, IC, DLS, UV-Vis, CE, or mass spectrometry.
  • Familiarity with analytical method lifecycle concepts, including method qualification, validation, transfer, robustness, precision, accuracy, specificity, and system suitability.
  • Knowledge of FDA, ICH, USP, or other regulatory guidance related to drug quality, analytical methods, or biologics characterization.
  • Experience with downstream purification, bioprocessing, biologics development, chromatography media, chromatography columns, or analytical workflow development.
  • Experience supporting technical transfer, manufacturing validation, product launch, or customer-facing technical activities is a plus, but direct product development experience is not required.
  • Ability to identify issues, troubleshoot experiments, adapt quickly based on data, and seek input when needed.

What We’re Looking For:

  • Scientific curiosity and a passion for innovation.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced R&D environment.
  • Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality experimental execution.
  • Customer-focused approach to product and method development.
  • Comfort working with ambiguity and translating technical data into practical recommendations.
  • Continuous-improvement mindset and willingness to learn new technologies, applications, and workflows.

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme, healthcare, company 401k, and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation. 

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation. 

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $92,000.00–$135,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

  • A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

  • Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

  • At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

  • Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

  • Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards


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