Home Jobs Senior Associate Scientist
Back to Jobs

Senior Associate Scientist - Job Opportunity at Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC.

Gaithersburg, US
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 8, 2025
On-site
USD 88,100 - 134,400 per year

Benefits

Competitive 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions to enhance long-term financial security
Comprehensive accidental death and dismemberment insurance providing additional financial protection for employees and families
Full dental insurance coverage supporting preventive and restorative oral health care
Short-term and long-term disability insurance fully paid by company ensuring income protection during health challenges
Employee assistance program offering confidential counseling and support services for work-life balance
Flexible spending accounts allowing pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Comprehensive health insurance with medical coverage and prescription drug benefits
Group life insurance providing financial security for employee beneficiaries
Generous paid holiday schedule recognizing work-life balance
Progressive paid parental leave policy supporting family expansion and bonding time
Flexible paid sick time policy promoting health and recovery without financial penalty
Extended parental leave options for comprehensive family support
Pet insurance coverage acknowledging pets as family members
Complete vision insurance for eye care and corrective lens coverage
Fitness club membership contribution promoting employee wellness and health
Identity theft protection services in today's digital security landscape
Home and auto insurance discounts providing additional savings on essential coverage
Optional supplemental life insurance for enhanced family financial protection

Key Responsibilities

Lead independent design and execution of sophisticated experimental protocols that drive critical biomarker discovery and assay development initiatives, directly contributing to company's competitive advantage in diagnostic technology
Perform advanced statistical data analysis using specialized software platforms to generate actionable insights that inform strategic product development decisions and accelerate time-to-market
Deliver executive-level presentations with strategic recommendations to peer review groups and senior leadership, influencing key research directions and resource allocation decisions
Manage and mentor junior scientific talent to build organizational capability, ensuring knowledge transfer and maintaining high-performance research teams
Establish performance metrics and development pathways for direct reports, creating accountability frameworks that drive both individual growth and team productivity
Spearhead laboratory infrastructure management initiatives that ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and optimal resource utilization across research functions
Serve as subject matter expert responsible for monitoring and reporting on specialized laboratory operations, providing critical insights for strategic planning and risk management

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences, or related area is required, Master's degree is preferred

Experience

A minimum of six years hands-on laboratory work experience is required. Industry experience is required. A minimum of one year of experience as a Team Lead highly preferred.

Required Skills

Strong knowledge of scientific fundamentals with an analytical background Advanced knowledge of immunoassay technology Demonstrated aptitude for learning of and adhering to standard laboratory techniques and safety precautions Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member Ability to lead and guide junior team members, establish accountabilities and expectations, and manage performance to achieve results Solid communication (written and verbal) skills regardless of the format Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities Attention to detail with demonstrated commitment to excellence and performance Demonstrated propensity to be creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated Ability to execute experiments, and to identify issues and propose/execute troubleshooting Strong analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to gather and evaluate complex data Strong knowledge of statistics Proficient in MS Excel, GraphPad Prism and SharePoint Extensive experience with running antibody-based assays, developing reagents and product development Training in and experience with Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) techniques
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The diagnostics industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by personalized medicine initiatives and biomarker-based therapeutic development. Companies are investing heavily in multiplex immunoassay platforms that can simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers, creating strong demand for scientists with expertise in reagent development and assay optimization. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated adoption of point-of-care diagnostics and companion diagnostics, leading to increased funding and market expansion. Biotechnology companies are increasingly focusing on precision medicine approaches that require sophisticated biomarker measurement capabilities. This trend is driving demand for senior scientists who can develop and validate complex immunoassays for clinical and research applications. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnostics is creating new opportunities for scientists who can bridge traditional laboratory expertise with data analytics. The regulatory landscape for diagnostic products is evolving rapidly, with FDA and international agencies requiring more robust validation data for biomarker-based tests. This regulatory environment is creating premium demand for experienced scientists who understand both the technical and regulatory aspects of assay development, particularly those with industry experience in bringing products to market.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $88,100 - $134,400 is competitive and well-positioned within the biotechnology sector for the Washington DC metropolitan area. This range reflects the premium placed on industry experience and leadership capabilities in the diagnostics field. The significant range span indicates opportunities for negotiation based on specific experience level and track record in reagent development and team leadership.

Role Significance

Typically manages 2-4 junior scientists and research associates in a matrix organization structure, with responsibility for both technical guidance and performance management. The role likely involves collaboration across multiple cross-functional teams including regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and business development.
This senior-level position represents a critical leadership role within the scientific organization, combining hands-on technical expertise with people management responsibilities. The role requires independent decision-making authority and strategic thinking to drive research objectives forward. The position serves as a bridge between junior scientific staff and senior management, requiring both deep technical knowledge and business acumen to translate research outcomes into actionable recommendations.

Key Projects

Leading development and optimization of multiplex immunoassay panels for biomarker discovery and validation studies Managing reagent development projects from concept through clinical validation, including antibody selection, conjugation optimization, and stability testing Overseeing laboratory infrastructure modernization initiatives to support expanded research capabilities and regulatory compliance Directing cross-functional collaboration projects with clinical partners to validate diagnostic assays for specific therapeutic areas

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in immunoassay development combined with strong project management skills to drive complex, multi-phase development programs from conception to completion. Success requires ability to troubleshoot sophisticated technical challenges while maintaining project timelines and quality standards. Leadership capabilities that inspire and develop junior team members while fostering collaborative relationships across diverse functional areas. The ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders is critical for influencing strategic decisions and securing resources. Strategic thinking and business acumen to understand market needs and competitive landscape, enabling development of assays that meet both technical specifications and commercial requirements. Success requires balancing scientific rigor with practical considerations of time-to-market and resource constraints.

Market Demand

High demand exists for senior scientists with immunoassay expertise and industry experience, particularly in the growing diagnostics and biotechnology sectors around major research hubs like the Washington DC area.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced immunoassay expertise is absolutely essential as it forms the core technical foundation for all research and development activities. This specialized knowledge directly impacts the company's ability to develop competitive diagnostic products and maintain technological leadership in the multiplex assay market. Statistical analysis and data interpretation capabilities are critical for making sound scientific decisions and communicating findings to stakeholders. These skills directly influence the quality and reliability of research outcomes and the company's ability to advance products through development pipelines. Leadership and team management skills are essential for driving organizational objectives through people. The ability to develop talent, establish accountability, and manage performance directly impacts team productivity and the company's ability to execute on strategic research initiatives.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with regulatory submission processes and quality systems would enhance value in bringing diagnostic products to market and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. Knowledge of companion diagnostics development and clinical trial support would be valuable as the industry moves toward personalized medicine applications. Familiarity with automation and high-throughput screening technologies would support laboratory efficiency improvements and scalability of research operations. Understanding of intellectual property considerations and competitive intelligence would contribute to strategic decision-making and product positioning in the competitive diagnostics market.

Unique Aspects

The position offers direct involvement in advancing biomarker measurement technologies that have significant impact on drug development and clinical diagnostics, providing exposure to cutting-edge applications across multiple therapeutic areas.
The role combines hands-on laboratory work with strategic leadership responsibilities, offering a unique blend of technical depth and management experience that is highly valued in the biotechnology industry.
Working with Biosafety Level 2 materials and human blood products provides specialized expertise that is increasingly valuable as personalized medicine and clinical diagnostics expand.
The position offers exposure to both research and development activities as well as product commercialization processes, providing comprehensive understanding of the biotechnology business model from discovery through market implementation.

Career Growth

Progression to principal scientist level typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated technical leadership and successful project outcomes. Advancement to director-level positions generally requires 5-8 years of additional experience with proven ability to manage larger teams and drive strategic initiatives.

Potential Next Roles

Principal Scientist or Senior Principal Scientist positions with expanded technical leadership responsibilities and larger team management scope Research and Development Director roles overseeing multiple scientific programs and strategic planning initiatives Technical Director or Scientific Affairs Director positions with external-facing responsibilities including regulatory interactions and customer technical support Business Development or Product Management roles leveraging scientific expertise to drive commercial strategy and market expansion

Company Overview

Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC.

Meso Scale Diagnostics (MSD) is a leading biotechnology company specializing in multiplex immunoassay platforms and bioanalytical services. The company has established itself as a key player in the life sciences research and clinical diagnostics markets, providing innovative electrochemiluminescence-based detection technology that enables simultaneous measurement of multiple biomarkers from small sample volumes.

MSD holds a strong competitive position in the multiplex immunoassay market, competing with established players like Luminex and emerging technologies from larger diagnostic companies. The company's proprietary MULTI-SPOT and MULTI-ARRAY platforms have gained significant adoption in pharmaceutical research and clinical laboratories worldwide.
The Gaithersburg, Maryland location positions the role within the greater Washington DC biotechnology corridor, providing access to a rich ecosystem of biotech companies, research institutions, and government agencies. This location offers excellent networking opportunities and career mobility within the regional life sciences cluster.
MSD typically maintains a science-driven culture that values technical excellence and innovation while supporting collaborative research environments. The company's focus on cutting-edge diagnostic technology attracts high-caliber scientists and fosters an environment of continuous learning and professional development.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.