Associate Principal Scientist - Cell-Based

BioAgilytix; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

BioAgilytix Labs, LLC is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to translate deep scientific expertise into strategies, methods, and client-ready decisions. You will lead cell-based assay development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting, guiding cross-functional teams and serving as a scientific lead for assigned programs.

This role bridges Senior and Principal Scientist responsibilities, offering substantial independence, mentorship to Scientists, and accountability for project scope,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in life sciences or related field.
• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant scientific experience.
• An equivalent combination of directly relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex assay development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting workstreams requiring advanced technical judgment and coordination across teams.
• Develop evidence-based troubleshooting strategies for challenging methods and ambiguous results.
• Serve as principal investigator or scientific lead for assigned projects with accountability for scope, timelines, and client communication.
• Direct the scientific setup and delivery of studies, including LIMS study setup and preparation of training materials.
• Prepare or review validation, qualification, and sample analysis plans, reports, and technical justifications.
• Review scientific approaches to ensure methods, documentation, and execution plans are sound.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to Scientists and Senior Scientists.
• Contribute to client-facing scientific recommendations and program decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve methods, workflows, platforms, and standards.
• Partner across teams to align CRO delivery with client needs.

Skills

Cell-based assays

Flow cytometry

Immunoassay platforms

Strong scientific judgment

Technical leadership

English communication

Education

Master's degree in life sciences

PhD in life sciences

Tools

ELISA

MSD-ECL

Gyrolab

AlphaLISA

LI-COR

Luminex

Job description

At BioAgilytix, Associate Principal Scientists translate deep scientific expertise into sound strategies, reliable methods, and confident client decisions. As part of our cell-based team, you will lead complex assay development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting workstreams while providing technical direction across studies and platforms.

This role bridges Senior Scientist and Principal Scientist responsibilities. You will operate with substantial independence, guide scientists through challenging technical questions, and serve as a scientific lead for assigned programs. Your experience with cell-based assays, flow cytometry, and immunoassay platforms will help teams resolve ambiguity, strengthen execution, and deliver high-quality work for clients.

Your day-to-day responsibilities:

• Lead complex assay development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting workstreams that require advanced technical judgment and coordination across teams.
• Develop evidence-based troubleshooting strategies for challenging methods, ambiguous results, and recurring technical issues, and recommend clear paths forward.
• Serve as principal investigator or scientific lead for assigned projects, with accountability for project scope, timelines, scheduling, client communication, proposal support, and budget or revenue considerations.
• Direct the scientific setup and delivery of studies, including LIMS study setup, deviation identification or submission, and preparation of scientific training materials.
• Prepare or review validation, qualification, and sample analysis plans, reports, summaries, technical justifications, scientific strategies, and supporting documentation.
• Review scientific approaches across multiple studies to confirm that methods, documentation, and execution plans are technically sound.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to Scientists and Senior Scientists without direct people-management responsibility.
• Contribute to client-facing scientific recommendations, technical discussions, issue resolution, and program decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve methods, workflows, platforms, and technical standards within your areas of expertise.
• Partner across scientific, operational, quality, and client-facing teams to keep complex programs aligned with CRO delivery expectations and client needs.
• Perform other responsibilities based on project and business needs.

Minimum preferred qualifications: Education & Experience

• Master's degree in life sciences or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant scientific experience.
• An equivalent combination of directly relevant education, training, and experience may be considered in place of the stated requirements.

Minimum preferred qualifications: Skills

• Extensive hands-on experience with cell-based assays, including the ability to lead complex assay work and resolve challenging technical issues.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry and cell-based assay execution.
• Familiarity with some or all of the following immunoassay platforms: ELISA, MSD-ECL, Gyrolab, AlphaLISA, LI-COR, and Luminex.
• Advanced scientific judgment and a demonstrated ability to lead complex technical workstreams with limited supervision.
• Strong ability to develop troubleshooting strategies and resolve ambiguous or recurring technical issues.
• Excellent scientific writing skills, including experience preparing technical justifications, validation strategies, and client-facing documentation.
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and mentor scientists through technical leadership.
• Strong understanding of CRO delivery, quality expectations, and client program needs.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills, including strong presentation capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and computer skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD in life sciences or a related scientific discipline
• Previous experience working in a contract research organization (CRO) or biopharmaceutical industry setting.

What makes this role appealing:

This position offers the opportunity to shape scientific strategy while remaining close to the technical work. You will take ownership of complex cell-based programs, guide teams through difficult assay and data challenges, and influence decisions that affect study quality, timelines, and client outcomes.

You will also broaden your impact across methods, platforms, and project teams. Through client interaction, cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement, you can build the scope and influence expected of a future Principal Scientist.

Work environment and schedule:

This is a full-time, exempt position with no direct supervisory responsibilities. Some scheduling flexibility is available, and employees must be available during the core work hours published in the BioAgilytix Employee Handbook. Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required based on project and business needs.

The role is performed in office and laboratory or clinical environments. Work may involve exposure to biological fluids and potentially infectious organisms, along with rare exposure to skin or lung irritants, radiation, toxic materials, hazardous waste, and fluctuating or extreme temperatures. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including protective eyewear, garments, and gloves, is required.

The position requires the ability to remain upright or stationary for up to eight hours per day; move frequently; perform repetitive hand and finger movements; crouch, stoop, bend, and twist; and lift, carry, or otherwise move laboratory equipment, supplies, and a laptop computer weighing up to 20 pounds. It also requires regular computer use, frequent interaction with diverse groups, clear verbal communication and active listening, sustained concentration, independent planning, adaptability to variable demands, the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, and regular and consistent attendance.