Assay Design Scientist

IDEXX; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual cash bonus

Health/Dental/Vision benefits Day-One

5% matching 401k

Employee stock program

Job summary

IDEXX in Maine is seeking an Assay Design Scientist to join the R&D Integrated Platform Architecture team. You will design and develop new product architectures for diagnostic assays, coordinating with teams to address project needs across the IDEXX portfolio.

You will execute experiments, analyze data, and present findings, contributing to feasibility studies, verification, and validation of new materials and formulations for assay devices.

Qualifications

• BS in Biomedical Engineering or related field with 5–7 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 0–3 years of experience.
• Strong foundation in biochemistry, immunology, or molecular biology as applied to assay/reagent development.
• Hands-on laboratory bench skills and instrumentation expertise; knowledge of safe lab practices.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication skills and team collaboration ability.
• Ability to work independently with initiative and strong attention to detail.
• Experience with immunoassays or assay development is preferred.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma and DOE is desired.

Responsibilities

• Prepare materials, perform experiments, analyze results, and reach conclusions using DOE.
• Design and execute lab research experiments alone or with small teams.
• Research and characterize new materials to support assay design and consumables development.
• Evaluate designs and guide their evolution from concept to Feasibility and optimization.
• Document methods and results, and present findings to peers and management.

Skills

Statistical design of experiments

Laboratory bench skills

Data analysis and interpretation

Advanced MS Office skills

Education

BS in Biomedical Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or related field

Tools

JMP

UV-Vis spectrophotometers

Rheometers

Water retention meters

Job description

IDEXX is looking to hire an Assay Design Scientist to join the R&D Integrated Platform Architecture team, part of Assay Design and Development. In this role, you will perform a variety of scientific activities to design and develop new product architectures, with a focus on how assay devices, reagents, and supporting materials work together as an integrated diagnostic test. You will participate in technically focused teams to define solutions to address project needs across the span of the IDEXX portfolio. You will execute experiments and follow standard protocols at the laboratory bench to inform decisions and recommendations, use advanced knowledge to analyze, interpret and draw conclusions, and present findings and results to peers and management as needed.

• Define, design, and implement test plans, analyze results, and generate summary reports.
• Coordinate execution efforts either independently or through team collaboration.
• Generate and compile data that may support feasibility, new product development, verification, and validation.
• Ensure project progress is conducted in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Communicate and present data to colleagues.

Why This Role Matters

Your work will help build the platform architecture behind IDEXX’s diagnostic assay consumables, the foundation that lets new tests reach veterinarians and their patients with the quality and simplicity our customers expect. As part of a team that innovates with intelligence, you will turn unmet customer needs into robust, manufacturable designs, using initiative, sound experimental judgment, and disciplined execution to help enhance the health and well-being of pets.

In This Role, You Will

• Prepare materials, perform experiments, gather data, carry out analysis and reach conclusions, applying statistical design of experiments (DOE) to drive experimentation and conclusions.
• Design, plan, and execute laboratory research experiments independently and in collaboration with small project teams.
• Research, test, and characterize new materials and formulations to support assay design and consumable development.
• Evaluate concept designs and help direct their evolution through early design phases to demonstrate assay feasibility, then optimize designs to meet performance and manufacturing requirements.
• Use state-of-the-art instrumentation to analyze materials at the interface of biology, chemistry and materials science.
• Document experiments and other lab or production activities, including methods, techniques and outcomes related to design history, and maintain those records appropriately.
• Present results and conclusions, including preparing reports and summaries.
• Participate in teams, planning and organizing activities and prioritizing work across multiple projects.
• Collaborate and communicate with colleagues in related areas to provide work support, exchange information, and ensure efficient processes.
• May produce and/or test reagents and final products and perform other production-related activities.
• Order and maintain equipment and work area.
• Maintain knowledge of products, procedures, and developments in the field and industry.
• May participate in conferences, webinars and seminars to continue to develop knowledge.

What You Need To Succeed

• BS or equivalent in Biomedical Engineering (or a related field such as Bioengineering, Biotechnology or Biochemistry) with 5-7 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 0-3 years of experience is required.
• Solid foundation in the life sciences (e.g., Biochemistry, Immunology, or Molecular Biology), with direct experience applying it to assay, reagent, or materials development is required.
• Hands-on laboratory bench skills (e.g., accurate pipetting, reagent and buffer preparation, microplate-based assays) and instrumentation skills, and well-versed in safe laboratory practices are required.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) is required.
• Flexibility, a positive attitude, and the ability to function effectively in a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary team environment is required.
• Excellent verbal, technical writing, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to maintain accurate and clear documentation; good presentation skills are required.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, own results, and maintain strong attention to detail is required. Strong organizational skills and the ability to plan and prioritize work in line with defined timelines, resolve conflicts, and facilitate solutions are required.
• Experience with immunoassays, assay design or assay development is preferred.
• Experience in new product development or product support within a life sciences or diagnostics company is preferred.
• Experience with diagnostic instrumentation development is preferred.
• Experience with JMP and statistical design of experiments is desired.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of Six Sigma processes and problem-solving techniques is desired.
• Hands‑on experience with analytical instrumentation such as rheometers, water retention meters, and UV-vis spectrophotometers is desired.

What You Can Expect From Us

• Salary range starting at $78,000 based on experience
• Opportunity for annual cash bonus
• Health / Dental / Vision Benefits Day-One
• 5% matching 401k
• Additional benefits including but not limited to financial support, pet insurance, mental health resources, volunteer paid days off, employee stock program, foundation donation matching, and much more

Why IDEXX

We’re proud of the work we do, because our work matters. An innovation leader in every industry we serve since 1983, our team members help pet owners worldwide keep their companion animals healthy and happy, ensure safe drinking water for billions, and help farmers protect livestock and poultry from disease.

We have customers in over 175 countries and a collaborative global workforce. Our culture embraces challenges and encourages learning and discovery. At IDEXX, you’ll be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement.

If meaningful work and a sense of purpose are at the top of your list, you’ll find it here. Let’s pursue what matters together.

About the job location:

If you’re thinking about relocating for this role, here are a few things to know about living in Maine (often called “Vacationland”). The Westbrook, ME area provides great access to active downtown areas and the outdoors, with the coast and numerous mountains and hiking trails nearby. You’ll also find a number of large companies like ours in the area, creating a vibrant work culture.

You can learn more on the Portland tourism website: https://www.visitportland.com/visit/resources/moving-to-maine/

IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

While we appreciate our staffing partners, we are unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.