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Senior Assay Development Scientist Jobs in Washington

Merck Group

Senior Scientist

Rockville, MD · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Senior Scientist Your role As a Senior Scientist, you will provide scientific and technical ... Lead assay development, transfer, validation, and continuous-improvement activities. * Support the ...

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Senior Assay Development Scientist information

See Washington salary details

$75.3K

$125.2K

$186.3K

How much do senior assay development scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior assay development scientist in Washington is $125,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,600.00 and $141,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior assay development scientist do?

A Senior Assay Development Scientist designs, optimizes, and validates biochemical or cell-based assays for research, diagnostics, or drug development. They lead assay development projects, troubleshoot technical challenges, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Their role often includes analyzing experimental data, ensuring assay reproducibility, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, they mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific publications or regulatory submissions.

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

A Senior Assay Development Scientist should possess advanced expertise in assay design, validation, and troubleshooting, supported by a degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory automation platforms, high-throughput screening technologies, and software for data analysis such as Prism or SoftMax Pro is typically required. Strong project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills enhance effectiveness in leading projects and collaborating across departments. These skills are crucial for delivering robust, innovative assays that meet regulatory standards and support critical research or product development goals.

What are the typical challenges faced by a senior assay development scientist and how do they overcome them?

Senior Assay Development Scientists often encounter challenges such as optimizing assay sensitivity and specificity, troubleshooting inconsistent results, and meeting tight project timelines. To overcome these, they rely on deep scientific knowledge, rigorous method validation, and effective collaboration with other scientists, engineers, and quality assurance teams. Staying up to date on the latest technologies and regulatory requirements also helps address technical and compliance-related hurdles. By fostering open communication and drawing on multidisciplinary expertise within their teams, these professionals develop innovative solutions and ensure high-quality outcomes.

What are the most commonly searched types of Assay Development Scientist jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Assay Development Scientist jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Assay Development Scientist jobs in Washington?

For Senior Assay Development Scientist jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Assay Development Scientist jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Assay Development Scientist jobs in Washington are:

Senior Assay Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Assay Development Scientist job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,202 per year, or $60.2 per hour.

Senior Scientist

Merck Group

Rockville, MD • On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Work Location: Rockville, Maryland
Shift:
Department: LS-AS-TGCAD US OPS IMMUNO
Recruiter: Leah S Westley
This information is for internals only. Please do not share outside of the organization.
Senior Scientist
Your role
As a Senior Scientist, you will provide scientific and technical leadership for assay execution and the implementation of new and innovative service offerings in the biosafety testing space.
You will be responsible for the scientific integrity of assigned laboratory work, including making scientific observations, maintaining complete and contemporaneous workbooks and documentation, and ensuring records meet applicable professional, industry, quality, and regulatory requirements.
You will maintain a thorough understanding of company testing services, scientific principles, and technical applications relevant to your area of responsibility.
Scope of responsibility
You will provide scientific oversight for a defined discipline or laboratory within Contract Testing Services. Depending on business needs and formal assignment, you may:
  • Serve as a Team Lead or provide supervisory support.
  • Manage studies and associated scientific deliverables.
  • Serve as Study Director for assigned GLP studies.
  • Perform assays or testing in accordance with applicable GMP/cGMP requirements.
  • Lead assay development, transfer, validation, and continuous-improvement activities.
  • Support the introduction and implementation of new services.

When appointed as Study Director for an assigned GLP study, you will fulfill the responsibilities required by applicable GLP regulations, SOPs, and quality systems.
Key responsibilities
  • Act as a technical expert in defined areas of the BioReliance business.
  • Lead new-customer assay projects and provide scientific direction throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Collaborate with client representatives to understand technical requirements and support successful delivery.
  • Contribute to the technical design of custom assays and provide ongoing scientific support.
  • Serve as Study Director for assigned studies and support timely study initiation, execution, completion, and reporting.
  • Ensure testing is performed in accordance with applicable SOPs, GMP/cGMP requirements, GLP requirements, and quality-system procedures.
  • Participate in or lead assay development, assay transfer, assay validation, and process-improvement activities.
  • Support the implementation of new services.
  • Participate in critical-event and laboratory investigations and communicate technical significance to Program Management and clients, as appropriate.
  • Work with Operations and Quality teams to maintain assays in accordance with the applicable Validation Master Plan and client and regulatory expectations.
  • Provide scientific coaching, mentoring, training, and technical support to colleagues.
  • Monitor relevant industry developments and recommend appropriate technical improvements.
  • Communicate technical developments, new assays, and innovations to Operations, Support, and Technical Support teams.
  • Promote continuous improvement in quality, scientific performance, compliance, and client service.
  • Prepare and present scientific data, abstracts, papers, posters, and other technical materials for internal and external audiences.
  • Ensure assigned assays, methods, and processes remain in a validated state.
  • Track and trend key assay and production parameters and recommend actions to address adverse trends or emerging issues.
  • Provide technical support during client and regulatory audits, meetings, teleconferences, and inspections.
  • Support Sales and Account Management during client visits, as appropriate.
  • Comply with company health and safety requirements and procedures.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Who you are
Minimum qualifications
  • Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline and 3+ years of scientific or laboratory experience; or
  • Master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 6+ years of scientific or laboratory experience; or
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 8+ years of scientific or laboratory experience.
  • At least 5 years of experience with biosafety and product-characterization testing.

Preferred qualifications
  • Working knowledge of relevant scientific fields and laboratory practices, techniques, equipment, and materials.
  • Experience with laboratory quality systems and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Experience supporting assay development, transfer, validation, or implementation of new services.
  • Experience leading studies, projects, investigations, or technical initiatives.

Knowledge and skills
  • Expertise in relevant laboratory techniques, including cell culture, ELISA, flow cytometry, qPCR, and ddPCR.
  • Ability to interpret scientific data and communicate technical conclusions clearly.
  • Proficiency with applicable computer programs and laboratory systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Effective organization and time-management skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
  • Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and training skills.
  • Ability to manage complex technical work while maintaining accurate and compliant documentation.

Pay Range for this position: $112,500-182,400
The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.
The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and programs relating to recruitment and hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Any applicant or employee who believes they have been discriminated against by the Company or anyone acting on behalf of the Company must report any concerns to their Human Resources Business Partner, Legal, or Compliance immediately. The Company will not retaliate against any individual because they made a good faith report of discrimination.

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