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Phd Assay Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Neara

Scientist, Assay Productization

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

Assay Productization acts as the interface between R&D and Production, and is involved in all ... or PhD with 1+ year. * Demonstrated hands-on experience with NGS library generation, data ...

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How much do phd assay development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for phd assay development 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 does a PhD assay development scientist do?

A PhD Assay Development scientist designs, develops, and validates laboratory tests (assays) used to detect or measure substances such as proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecules. They work primarily in research, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical settings to ensure assays are accurate, reliable, and suitable for their intended use. Their responsibilities often include optimizing protocols, analyzing data, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support product development or research objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in PhD-level assay development roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in PhD-level assay development often encounter challenges such as optimizing assay sensitivity and specificity, troubleshooting unexpected experimental results, and ensuring reproducibility across different platforms. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including chemists, biologists, and data analysts, is essential to address these issues effectively. Regularly reviewing recent literature, participating in team meetings, and engaging in continuous learning can also help in overcoming technical hurdles and staying updated with emerging technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD assay development scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD Assay Development Scientist, you need a doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field, strong expertise in biochemistry or molecular biology, and experience designing and optimizing assays. Proficiency with laboratory automation, statistical analysis software, and familiarity with regulatory guidelines such as GLP or GMP are typically required. Keen problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication make candidates stand out in collaborative research environments. These skills ensure the reliable development and validation of assays critical for scientific discovery and product development.

What is the difference between Phd Assay Development vs Phd Research Scientist?

AspectPhd Assay DevelopmentPhd Research Scientist
CredentialsPhD in relevant field, specialized in assay designPhD in relevant field, broader research focus
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on assay creation and validationResearch labs, academic or industry settings
Industry UsageBiotech, pharma, diagnostics companiesAcademic, biotech, pharma research teams

Phd Assay Development professionals focus on designing, optimizing, and validating assays for diagnostic or research purposes, often working in product development. Phd Research Scientists conduct broader scientific investigations, exploring new hypotheses and publishing findings. While both roles require a PhD and laboratory skills, assay development is more product-oriented, whereas research scientists focus on fundamental research.

What can I do with a Phd Assay Development?

A PhD in Assay Development prepares individuals to design, optimize, and validate laboratory tests for detecting and measuring biological molecules. Graduates often work in research and development, pharmaceutical companies, or biotech firms, utilizing skills in assay design, data analysis, and laboratory techniques. They may also pursue roles in quality control, regulatory compliance, or scientific consulting.

What are popular job titles related to Phd Assay Development jobs?

For Phd Assay Development jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Phd Assay Development job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,420 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Bioinformatics Scientist -- NGS Assay Development (Remote)

Remote

Pillar Biosciences
See more jobs at Pillar Biosciencesexternal

$90K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Our bioinformatics team develops and supports next-generation sequencing assays for oncology and other human genomic applications. We are seeking a hands-on bioinformatics scientist who can combine strong programming skills with human genomics expertise to support the design, evaluation, and improvement of targeted NGS assays.
This role is well suited to someone who enjoys working directly with sequencing data, investigating unexpected assay behavior, developing reproducible analyses, and translating complex findings into clear technical conclusions. The scientist will work closely with molecular biology, software, product development, regulatory, and clinical teams.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop reproducible analyses and computational workflows in Python, R, and/or Bash to evaluate NGS assay performance.
  • Analyze DNA and RNA sequencing data generated from targeted assays, including SNVs, indels, CNVs, fusions, coverage, assay artifacts, and other performance characteristics.
  • Investigate assay failures and unexpected results using sequencing data, genomic context, experimental metadata, and appropriate statistical or computational approaches.
  • Support development and optimization of targeted amplicon-based NGS assay workflows.
  • Use public genomic and oncology resources such as ClinVar, gnomAD, TCGA/cBioPortal, dbSNP, and primary literature to research genomic targets and interpret assay results.
  • Work closely with molecular biology scientists to translate experimental observations into testable computational analyses and assay improvements.
  • Develop tools, scripts, and analytical methods that improve the efficiency, robustness, or interpretability of assay development.
  • Maintain well-organized, reproducible analyses with clear version control, data provenance, and documentation.
  • Communicate findings through concise technical reports, figures, presentations, protocols, and other documentation that can be understood by both computational and non-computational collaborators.
  • Manage multiple development projects and analyses while maintaining clear records of assumptions, methods, results, and outstanding questions.

Qualifications:
  • MS or PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics, genomics, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated hands-on programming experience in Python, R, or another general-purpose scientific programming language. Candidates should be comfortable writing their own analysis code rather than relying primarily on graphical or preconfigured analysis tools.
  • Strong knowledge of human genomics and genetic variation.
  • Experience analyzing human NGS data, including alignment, QC, variant analysis, and interpretation.
  • Familiarity with common genomics file formats and tools such as FASTQ, BAM/CRAM, VCF, BED, BWA, samtools, bedtools, GATK, or equivalent tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently investigate complex datasets, identify the source of analytical or experimental problems, and communicate conclusions.
  • Strong scientific writing and documentation skills, with evidence of producing reproducible analyses, technical documentation, protocols, reports, publications, or similar work.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple analyses and development activities with appropriate documentation and follow-through.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with molecular biologists, software engineers, and other cross-functional collaborators.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience developing or analyzing targeted NGS assays using amplicon sequencing or hybrid capture.
  • Experience with oncology genomics, somatic variant analysis, low-input DNA, FFPE, cfDNA, or other clinically relevant sample types.
  • Experience evaluating assay performance metrics such as coverage, uniformity, sensitivity, specificity, background error, limit of detection, or variant-calling performance.
  • Experience with primer/probe design, target-region design, or computational support of molecular assay development.
  • Experience developing new algorithms or analytical methods for genomic data.
  • Experience with reproducible development practices using Git, Jira, containers, or similar tools.

$90,000 - $120,000 a year
Please note: You must complete all application questions to be considered for the role
Pillar Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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