Associate Scientist

Fortis Life Sciences, LLC.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortis Life Sciences is seeking a Junior Scientist / Associate Scientist to join our biotechnology team. This is a hands-on scientific role with responsibility for both laboratory execution and project coordination across client and internal projects.

You will perform laboratory experiments, analyze results, and coordinate activities with senior scientists and project leadership to ensure deliverables are completed on time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, assay development, or a related laboratory environment.
• Experience with lateral flow immunoassays, immunodiagnostics, or rapid diagnostic test development is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory experiments and development activities under appropriate direction.
• Prepare samples, buffers, reagents, materials, and documentation required for project activities.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data.
• Coordinate day-to-day project activities across client and internal projects.

Skills

Biotech lab skills

Data analysis

Documentation

Cross-functional coordination

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry/ Biology/ Biotechnology

Tools

BioDot

IsoFlow

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Salary Range: CA$24.00 To CA$30.00 Hourly

Fortis Life Sciences is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics reagents and solutions. We partner with our customers to design, validate, and manufacture solutions to solve their complex development problems. Our teams work together across various sites, functions, & scientific disciplines to help our customers bring their innovations to market with confidence.

We are seeking a Junior Scientist / Associate Scientist to join our growing biotechnology team. This is a hands-on scientific role with responsibility for both laboratory execution and project coordination across client and internal projects.

What You'll Do

The successful candidate will perform laboratory experiments, analyze and document results, and work closely with senior scientists and project leadership to coordinate day-to-day project activities. The role will involve tracking project timelines, coordinating internal activities, communicating project status, and helping ensure that deliverables are completed on time. The successful candidate is expected to be willing to perform hands-on and routine laboratory tasks when required, regardless of seniority, and to contribute wherever needed to keep projects and laboratory operations running efficiently.

This position is particularly well suited to a highly organized scientist who enjoys both hands-on laboratory work and coordinating people, activities, and deliverables.

Job Responsibilities:

Scientific & Laboratory Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory experiments and development activities under appropriate direction.
• Support process development, formulation, analytical development, characterization, manufacturing support, or other technical activities as required.
• Prepare samples, buffers, reagents, materials, and documentation required for project activities.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data.
• Troubleshoot experimental issues and communicate findings to senior scientists.
• Prepare protocols, laboratory records, reports, and other technical documentation.
• Support process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer, and manufacturing activities as appropriate.
• Follow SOPs, safety procedures, quality requirements, and good documentation practices.
• Support routine laboratory preparation, sample handling, labeling, packaging, and material management.
• Clean and maintain laboratory areas, glassware, equipment, and workspaces.
• Maintain laboratory supplies and restock consumables as needed.
• Support general laboratory and operational activities as required.

Project Coordination Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of client and internal scientific projects.
• Maintain project timelines, task lists, action items, and deliverable trackers.
• Coordinate activities across R&D, analytical, manufacturing, quality, and other internal functions.
• Follow up with team members to ensure assigned activities and deliverables remain on schedule.
• Identify potential delays, resource constraints, or project risks and elevate them to the appropriate project lead or manager.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas where appropriate, document action items, and follow up on outstanding items.
• Maintain project documentation and ensuring that key decisions, activities and deliverables are appropriately recorded.
• Assist with preparation of project status updates, presentations, reports, and client-facing documentation.
• Help coordinate sample movement, testing, experimental activities, and other project dependencies.
• Support project planning, resource coordination, and prioritization across multiple projects.
• Communicate project updates clearly to internal stakeholders and, where appropriate, participate in client communications.
• Work with senior team members to ensure project milestones and client deliverables are achieved on time and to the expected quality standard.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs and operational objectives.

What You'll Bring

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, assay development, or a related laboratory environment.
• Experience with lateral flow immunoassays, immunodiagnostics, or rapid diagnostic test development is preferred.
• Experience with automated dispensing/reagent application systems such as BioDot or IsoFlow is an asset.
• Familiarity with product validation, process development, assay development, and manufacturing support.
• Strong laboratory, data analysis, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with project coordination or cross-functional collaboration is an asset.
• Strong laboratory skills, including reagent preparation, assay testing, experimental execution, and technical documentation.
• Understanding diagnostic product development, process optimization, validation, and scale-up activities.
• Knowledge of GLP, GMP, GDP, ISO 13485, and regulated laboratory environments.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail with accurate documentation and data analysis abilities.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• On-site role operates in a professional laboratory and office environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, speak, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use his/her hands to operate equipment and manipulate samples; and reach with his/her hands and arms.