Associate Scientist

Actalent; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Disability coverage

HSA

Transit benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking entry-level laboratory professionals for multiple opportunities in the Madison area. These roles support quality control, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory operations across food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer product environments.

Responsibilities may include sample preparation, testing, data collection, documentation, quality inspections, and supporting production teams while receiving hands-on training from experienced scientists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Science, or related science field
• Laboratory experience through coursework, internships, research, or industry experience preferred
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document results
• Interest in analytical chemistry, microbiology, or quality control
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment

Responsibilities

• Sample preparation and laboratory testing
• Data collection and documentation of results
• Quality inspections and supporting production and quality teams
• Hands-on training from experienced scientists and laboratory professionals

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Independent work

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Science, or related science field

Tools

HPLC

GC

FTIR

Dissolution

Wet chemistry

Job description

Associate Scientist

$21-$28/hr | Madison, WI Area

We're hiring entry-level laboratory professionals for multiple opportunities with companies throughout the greater Madison area. These positions support quality control, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory operations in food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer product environments. Responsibilities may include sample preparation, laboratory testing, data collection, documentation, quality inspections, and supporting production and quality teams while receiving hands‑on training from experienced scientists and laboratory professionals.

Opportunities may include exposure to industry-leading laboratory instrumentation and techniques, including HPLC, GC, FTIR, dissolution, wet chemistry, pathogen testing, microbial plating, flow cytometry, particle size analysis, and other analytical testing methods. This is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Science, or related scientific fields looking to launch a career in the laboratory sciences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Science, or related science field
• Laboratory experience through coursework, internships, research, or industry experience preferred
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document results
• Interest in analytical chemistry, microbiology, or quality control
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment

Pay: $21-$28/hour (varies based on position, experience, shift, and company)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Madison,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.