Associate Staff Scientist

bioMérieux; Hazelwood (MO); On-site; USD 92,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Parental leaves

Wellness programs

Job summary

bioMérieux seeks an Associate Staff Scientist in sensor chemistry to design, execute, and analyze complex experiments supporting colorimetric sensor development. You will work hands-on in formulation development (sol‑gel, polymer, indicator, reagents) and partner with microbiology, data science, manufacturing, and QA teams.

The role requires a strong lab background, independent work, clear communication of findings, and mentoring of junior staff within a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors required in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical or related field.
• Hands-on lab work in chemical formulation, analytical chemistry, sol‑gel chemistry, or related work.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot sensor chemistry/AST system issues; report findings cross-functionally.
• Brainstorm and test product development ideas linked to objectives and research findings.
• Develop tools for analyzing large data sets from AST experiments.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks, ensure regulatory and safety compliance.
• Document requirements, run verification, participate in validation and product development processes.
• Support process improvements and define tests/critical quality attributes for sensor performance.

Skills

Laboratory work

Sol‑gel chemistry

Formulation development

Data analysis

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor in Chemistry/Materials Science/Engineering

Master's or PhD in Chemistry/Materials Science/Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Associate Staff Scientist

The Associate Staff Scientist, Sensor Chemistry is an experienced technical contributor responsible for designing, executing, and analyzing complex experiments that support colorimetric sensor chemistry development and optimization. This role provides hands‑on chemistry expertise in formulation development, including sol‑gel, polymer, indicator, and reagent systems, while partnering closely with microbiology, engineering, data science, industrialization, manufacturing, and quality teams. The individual supports new product development, process improvement, verification, validation, manufacturing transfer, and technical investigations in a regulated environment. The role is expected to work independently, communicate technical findings clearly, maintain high‑quality documentation, and mentor or guide junior team members as needed.

Primary Duties

• Troubleshoot technical issues specific to the sensor chemistry/AST systems, record and report these issues cross‑functionally, and provide suggestions and resolutions for investigations.
• Brainstorm and test novel product development ideas based on high‑level objectives and latest research findings.
• Contribute to the development of tools for analyzing large performance data sets generated from AST experiments.
• Anticipate and mitigate technical risks or hazards associated with experiments, materials, and project plans.
• Support chemistry‑related process improvements and help define tests or critical quality attributes needed to monitor sensor performance and quality control.
• Operate following product development process guidance: write detailed documentation, set requirements for new products, run verification on those requirements, participate in validation as required.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, ISO) and comply with biohazard safety standards.
• Read, analyze, and interpret scientific literature, technical procedures, and regulatory guidance relevant to sensor chemistry and diagnostic product development.
• Participate in technical design reviews, product risk assessments, data reviews, and cross‑functional investigation meetings.
• Mentor and train new and existing team members and be a technical advisor for data analysis problems.
• Collaborate with other scientists and managers to optimize testing protocols and workflows within the lab.
• Perform all work in compliance with company quality procedures and standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor degree required — Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
• 5+ years of professional related experience with degree — Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical, related science field.
• Years of relevant experience should include hands‑on laboratory work in chemical formulation, analytical chemistry, sol‑gel chemistry, or substantially related work.

Preferred Education, Training, and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
• 2+ years of iterative product development work. May consist of experimental design, troubleshooting, optimization, documentation, and/or technical decision‑making. Industry or academic product development work is acceptable.
• Experience with sol‑gel chemistry, colorimetric sensor chemistry, or related reagent/formulation development.
• Experience in medical device, diagnostics, in vitro diagnostic (IVD), biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other regulated product development environments.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency, such as publications, patents, technical reports, or presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to guide junior scientists.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Consistently upholds and reflects the core ethical principles and values that bioMérieux promotes.
• Comfortable giving clear, direct, and actionable feedback.
• Demonstrates assertiveness and confidence in the face of a challenge.
• Written communications — including the ability to communicate technical data in written form.
• Informing others by sharing clear, timely information to ensure alignment.
• Manage and meet competing deadlines, requiring careful prioritization and time management to ensure all tasks are completed on time.
• Skilled in MS Office tools to include but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel — Intermediate: applies skills independently in most situations; handles moderately complex tasks with occasional guidance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities. Short‑term decisions are made with little‑to‑no supervisory review. Long‑term strategic decisions require supervisory review and approval.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs, ladders, ramps, and similar structures.
• Ability to wear PPE correctly most of the day.
• No operation of heavy machinery.
• No requirement to adjust or move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Domestic travel: 5%
• International travel: 0%

Compensation & Benefits

The estimated salary range for this role is between $92,000-$135,000. This role is eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and individual performance per bioMérieux’s bonus program. This range may differ from ranges offered for similar positions elsewhere in the country given differences in cost of living. Actual compensation within this range is determined based on the successful candidate’s experience and will be presented in writing at the time of the offer.

In addition, bioMérieux offers a competitive Total Rewards package that may include:

• A choice of medical (including prescription), dental, and vision plans providing nationwide coverage and telemedicine options.
• Company‑Provided Life and Accidental Death Insurance.
• Short and Long‑Term Disability Insurance.
• Retirement Plan including a generous non‑discretionary employer contribution and employer match.
• Adoption Assistance.
• Wellness Programs.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Various voluntary benefit offerings.
• Discount programs.
• Parental leaves.

Please be aware that recruitment related scams are on the rise. Fraudulent job postings are being placed on other websites, and individuals posing as bioMérieux Talent Acquisition team members are reaching out via email or text message in an attempt to collect your personal and confidential information. In some cases, these scammers are also conducting bogus interviews prior to extending fraudulent offers of employment. Beware of individuals reaching out using general phone numbers and non‑bioMerieux email domains (i.e. Hotmail.com, Gmail.com, Yahoo.com, etc.). If you are concerned that an interview experience or offer of employment might be a scam, please make sure you are searching for the posting on our careers site https://careers.biomerieux.com/ or contact us at [email protected].

BioMérieux Inc. and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Please be advised that the receipt of satisfactory responses to reference requests and the provision of satisfactory proof of an applicant’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States are required of all new hires. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission may result in the failure to receive an offer, the retraction of an offer, or if already hired, dismissal. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation in BioMérieux’s or its affiliates’ application process by contacting us via telephone at [phone], by email at [email protected], or by dialing 711 for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).