Associate Scientist

6J6 - Zoetis LLC; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development in Kalamazoo, MI, is seeking an Associate Scientist to contribute to vaccine development through hands-on bacteriology and analytical work.

You will perform routine culturing, immunoassays, and sample processing while maintaining meticulous records in a collaborative, GLP-conscious environment. Weekend/holiday rotations and travel between sites may be required.

Qualifications

• BS in biology or related field with 1–3 years of industry or clinical lab experience.
• Knowledge of animal infectious diseases.
• Ability to work across multiple project teams and travel between sites.
• Flexibility to work weekends/holidays on a rotating basis.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine bacterial culturing, media preparation, and sterile techniques.
• Process tissues and conduct immunoassays (ELISA, Western blot).
• Process clinical samples for bacterial identification.
• Perform routine bacterial identification (MALDI-TOF and biochemical testing).
• Assist with tissue culture and infection assays.
• Assist with PCR, RT-PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, and protein analysis.
• Prepare reagents and manage clinical samples.
• Maintain accurate lab records and summarize assay results.
• Proactively learn new skills, prioritize tasks, and follow protocols.
• Support lab maintenance and supply management.

Skills

Bacteriology

Molecular biology

Lab safety

Data handling

Team collaboration

Education

BS in biology

Tools

MALDI-TOF

PCR/RT-PCR

Elisa

Western blot

Job description

Position Overview

Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development in Kalamazoo, MI, is seeking a talented and motivated biologist to join our team as an Associate Scientist. In this role, you will provide bacterial and analytical support for vaccine development, contributing to the advancement of innovative veterinary medicines.

Job Description

Job Description This role is primarily laboratory-focused, working within a bacteriology and immunology lab environment. The main duties involve supporting ongoing research projects through hands‑on laboratory work and data handling. Key tasks include preparing chemical solutions/microbiological media, organizing and processing clinical samples, performing immunological tests, clinical/diagnostic microbiology, and cultivating bacterial strains for RNA/DNA or protein isolation. Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate data records, adhering to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, and verifying electronic data entries. Candidates should exhibit strong laboratory safety practices, proficiency in sterile techniques, and meticulous record-keeping in lab notebooks. The ideal applicant will be highly self‑driven, possess analytical and troubleshooting abilities, and demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively with others. In summary, candidates should possess competency in laboratory techniques, organizational skills, and an adaptable professional approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine bacterial culturing, media preparation, and sterile techniques.
• Process tissues and conduct immunoassays (ELISA, Western blot).
• Process clinical samples for bacterial identification
• Perform routine bacterial identification (MALDI-TOF and biochemical testing)
• Assist with routine tissue culture and infection assays.
• Assist with PCR, RT-PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, and protein analysis.
• Prepare reagents and manage clinical samples.
• Maintain accurate lab records and summarize assay results.
• Proactively learn new skills, prioritize tasks, and follow protocols.
• Support lab maintenance and supply management.

Basic Requirements

Minimum: BS in biology, immunology, vaccinology, microbiology, clinical microbiology or related fields with 1-3 years' industry or clinical laboratory experience.

Knowledge of animal infectious diseases.

Ability to work in a collaborative setting with multiple Project Teams, Project Team Leaders and line representatives to deliver goals.

Flexibility to work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis and travel between sites

Technical Skills

Excellent organizational and communication abilities (verbal and written English) with demonstrated skill in documentation, scientific writing (protocols, reports,) and providing data and study summaries to project teams.

Computer skills required: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.

Demonstration of initiative and self-motivation, with passion to work in a collaborative and dynamic multi-disciplinary team environment in a global company and able to prioritize work and work efficiently with supervision

Knowledge of vaccine design and development, including clinical microbiology and assay development/execution.

Critical scientific thinking, including a willingness to embrace, evaluate, and enable new technologies for the purpose of improving existing capabilities.

High attention to detail and ability to multitask across multiple projects.

Management of lab supplies and operation of equipment autonomously.

Experience and knowledge with aseptic techniques and/or sterile cell culture procedures.

Desirable

Experience in bacterial and viral propagation (in vitro and in vivo), veterinary vaccine development, and associated analytical and immunology methods.

Experience in clinical microbiology, bacterial identification and propagation

Molecular expertise or knowledge in molecular recombinant methods, DNA/RNA extraction and expression platforms

Full time Regular Colleague

Equal‑opportunity statement

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification.

Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system.

We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability.

Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation.

Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis.

Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers.

Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact.

Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com".

In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities.

Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded.

In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.

Join Zoetis

Join Zoetis - and build your career with a global animal health company dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses.

Why Zoetis

Zoetis has more than 60 years of experience in delivering innovative, high-quality products and services that benefit our customers.

Zoetis work environment

At Zoetis, we take pride in a collaborative spirit and high-performing environment where every colleague is given room to learn and grow.

Your opportunities at Zoetis

We invest in our people and offer diverse and exciting opportunities to make a difference in a growing global industry while shaping the future of animal health.

Results that matter

Our colleagues make an impact by working hand-in-hand with those who raise and care for animals to better understand and address the unique real-world challenges they face.