Associate Scientist - Oncology
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Onsite Flexibility: Onsite
Contract Details
- Position Type: Contract
- Contract Duration: 12 months
- Pay Rate: $23.00–$27.00 / Hour (USD)
- Shift / Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday (following onboarding and competency validation; initial schedule is Monday–Friday)
- Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Job Summary
This is a hands-on, study execution and support role — rather than a study design or independent research position — serving as a backfill for a previous contractor who transitioned into a full-time position. Our client is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative Associate Scientist to join the In Vivo Pharmacology Team in the Oncology Therapeutic Area in Thousand Oaks, CA. In this vital role, you will be supporting the group by performing procedures on laboratory rodents such as handling, dosing (via multiple routes), clinical health assessments, and biologic sample collection. Additional tasks will include assisting with in vivo research models for a variety of programs. Well-suited applicants will have broad laboratory and rodent training, deep scientific curiosity, and a positive approach to working in a highly dynamic, team-based research environment. The successful candidate will also be responsible for review and compliance with all applicable SOPs, business practices, and company policies. The team needs additional support executing ongoing in vivo research studies, including weekend study coverage.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform in vivo studies in rodents (mice), including handling, dosing via multiple routes, clinical health assessments, and biologic sample collection.
- Assist with in vivo research models for a variety of programs.
- Follow established study protocols, execute assigned experiments, and generate reliable, reproducible data.
- Support studies across multiple research groups, including weekend study coverage.
- Support rodent dosing during the weekends and some U.S. Holidays.
- Review and maintain compliance with all applicable SOPs, business practices, and company policies.
- Complete initial competency validation, including successfully reproducing an internally established study to demonstrate technical competency before transitioning to independent weekend coverage.
Required Skills
- Previous hands-on in vivo experience working specifically with mice is essential.
- Must be comfortable handling mice and conducting laboratory research activities.
- Ability to follow established study protocols, execute assigned experiments, and generate reliable, reproducible data.
- Strong teamwork, communication skills, and willingness to support studies across multiple research groups.
- Must be comfortable working a schedule that includes one weekend day.
- Highly motivated, collaborative, and with excellent attention to detail.
- Experience with GraphPad Prism.
- Good verbal communication skills.
Preferred Skills
- Previous experience with mouse dosing techniques, particularly oral gavage and subcutaneous dosing.
- Experience executing preclinical in vivo studies and documenting experimental results.
- Ability to interpret experimental data and understand how individual studies contribute to broader research objectives.
- Candidates who are inquisitive, proactive in asking questions, and comfortable working collaboratively are strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with oncology disease models.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude and a strong work ethic.
- Organizational and notebook/record keeping skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and dynamic research environment.
- Computer literacy, e.g., GraphPad Prism, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Education Requirements
- Minimum: Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field (preferably biology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related field).
- Master's degree: Acceptable but not necessary.
- PhD candidates are not preferred, as this is primarily a hands-on execution and study support position rather than an independent research or study design role.
- Also acceptable: Associate's degree and 4 years of experience, OR High school diploma / GED and 6 years of experience.
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in a related field and 2 years of laboratory-based research experience in academic or industrial labs (or equivalent per the Education Guidelines above).
- Previous hands-on in vivo experience working specifically with mice.
- Experience handling and performing basic manipulations with laboratory rodents.
Nice-to-Have Experience
- Experience with rodent dosing via multiple routes (oral gavage preferred).
- Experience executing preclinical in vivo studies and documenting experimental results.
- Master's degree.
Work Environment / Physical Requirements
- 100% onsite in Thousand Oaks, CA.
- Initial schedule will be Monday–Friday during onboarding, training, and competency validation; following successful validation, schedule transitions to either Tuesday–Saturday or Sunday–Thursday.
- Must be flexible and willing to work one weekend day.
- Weekend responsibilities will include supporting studies across the broader research team, not solely one manager's projects.
- Role involves direct hands-on work with laboratory rodents (mice) in a research environment.
Important Notes
- Before transitioning to independent weekend coverage, candidates must successfully reproduce an internally established study to demonstrate technical competency.
- First interview will be with the hiring manager. Second interview will be with a larger group.
About GTT
GTT is an NMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. GTT is a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, an Alaska-based company and one of the largest Alaska Native-owned corporations. An Inc. 5000 honoree and one of SIA's Best Staffing Firms to Work For, GTT connects professionals with Fortune 500 organizations across IT, engineering, construction, utilities, life sciences, financial services, and healthcare throughout the U.S. and Canada. We're committed to diverse, inclusive workplaces and to placing people in roles where they can do their best work.
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
- 401k Retirement Fund
#LI-Onsite #gttic