Bioassay Researcher

Guidehouse; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidehouse seeks a bioassay scientist for our Maryland lab to support development and validation of cell-based and biochemical assays for biologics. You will culture mammalian cell lines, optimize transcytosis and permeation bioassays, and document results to support regulatory decisions.

The role requires a Master’s degree and 3–6 years of experience with qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, along with familiarity with GLP/ISO quality systems and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 3–6 years of bioassay experience.
• 3–6 years developing, optimizing, validating bioassays for biologics, biosimilars or related products.
• Experience with qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or related analytical methods.
• Knowledge of GLP, ISO standards, or equivalent laboratory quality systems.
• Strong written and oral communication for stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Establish, optimize, and validate bioassays for biological therapeutics.
• Culture mammalian and immortalized cell lines using aseptic techniques.
• Develop transcytosis and permeation bioassays to evaluate transport.
• Collect, process, analyze, and document laboratory data per project plans.
• Prepare technical reports and participate in regulatory decision support.
• Collaborate across interdisciplinary teams and communicate findings.

Skills

Bioassay development

qRT-PCR

ELISA

Western blot

Immunohistochemistry

Cell culture

Data analysis

GLP knowledge

Scientific writing

Education

Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline

Job description

Job Family:Scientific Research & AnalysisTravel Required:Up to 10%Clearance Required:Ability to Obtain Public TrustOur federal client conducts mission-relevant laboratory research to support science- and risk-based quality assessments of regulatory submissions, standards development, guidance creation, policy development, and pharmaceutical quality surveillance. This position will provide scientific and laboratory research support for approved bioassay projects focused on establishing, characterizing, optimizing, and validating cell-based and biochemical assays for biological therapeutics.The researcher will support laboratory-based experiments to advance bioassay development and characterization, including transcytosis and permeation assays for evaluating the deposition and transport of biological therapeutics.What You Will Do:Provide scientific and laboratory research support to establish, characterize, optimize, and validate bioassays for biological therapeutics.Culture and maintain mammalian and immortalized cell lines using aseptic laboratory techniques.Develop and optimize cell-based transcytosis and permeation bioassays to evaluate transport of biological therapeutics across epithelial cell layers.Validate established bioassays against defined performance criteria, including reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity.Perform laboratory techniques including cell culture, qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and other biochemical or molecular assays.Conduct surveillance testing and investigate mechanisms of action of therapeutic proteins and peptides to identify relevant assay readouts.Establish new analytical methods to evaluate the biological activity of biotechnology products, biosimilars, and complex generics.Collect, process, analyze, and document laboratory data from multiple sources and databases in accordance with project plans.Maintain complete and accurate laboratory notebooks, experimental records, methods, and analyses in accordance with FDA laboratory standards.Assist with laboratory inventory management, procurement, equipment maintenance, and instrument upkeep.Prepare technical reports, scientific manuscripts, status reports, presentations, and final project summaries supporting regulatory decision-making.Participate in interdisciplinary scientific collaborations and support OPQR-approved research projects.Provide weekly program updates and monthly project status reports detailing research findings, milestone progress, risks, and issues.Attend relevant scientific, laboratory, programmatic, and organizational meetings in support of project execution.Communicate complex scientific findings and project updates to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Complete all required corporate and client training and maintain necessary credentialsWhat You Will Need:Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.Three to six (3–6) years of experience developing, optimizing, validating, or implementing bioassays for therapeutic proteins, peptides, biotechnology products, biosimilars, or complex generics.Experience with laboratory techniques such as qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or related analytical methods.Experience collecting, processing, analyzing, and documenting laboratory data in accordance with project plans and quality standards.Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and research summaries.Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), ISO laboratory standards, or equivalent laboratory quality systems.Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage scientific, programmatic, and regulatory stakeholders.Understanding of regulatory interpretations, product efficacy and safety considerations, project plans, and timelines.Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary scientific teams in a laboratory research environment.What Would Be Nice To Have:Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.Experience developing potency, functional, or mechanism-of-action bioassays for biologics, biosimilars, biotechnology products, or complex generics.Experience with air-liquid interface cultures, epithelial cell models, transcytosis assays, permeability assays, or related in vitro transport models.Understanding of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, process development, biotechnology research and regulatory operations.Knowledge of insulin and GLP-1 receptor signaling pathways or related biological systems.Experience preparing peer-reviewed publications, scientific posters, regulatory science reports, or white papers.The annual salary range for this position is $85,000.00-$141,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.What We Offer:Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.Benefits include:Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision InsurancePersonal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid HolidaysParental Leave401(k) Retirement PlanGroup Term Life and Travel AssistanceVoluntary Life and AD&D InsuranceHealth Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending AccountsTransit and Parking Commuter BenefitsShort-Term & Long-Term DisabilityTuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning OpportunitiesEmployee Referral ProgramCorporate Sponsored Events & Community OutreachCare.com annual membershipEmployee Assistance ProgramSupplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonusAbout GuidehouseGuidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.