Histology Associate Scientist I – FFPE & IHC

The Fountain Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fountain Group is seeking an Associate Scientist I in Irvine, CA for an 8‑month contract to support histology operations in skincare R&D and clinical development, focusing on FFPE processing, microtomy, staining, and slide imaging.

The ideal candidate has 1–3+ years of hands-on histology experience, strong attention to detail, and the ability to follow SOPs and safety practices in a high‑throughput onsite lab environment.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Histotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related scientific field.
• 1–3+ years of hands-on histology laboratory experience.
• Experience with FFPE tissue processing, paraffin embedding, and microtome sectioning.
• Experience performing routine histology staining, particularly H&E.
• Strong attention to detail and following established SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Process FFPE tissue specimens, including trimming, embedding, and block preparation.
• Perform microtome sectioning of FFPE tissue blocks to produce high-quality slides.
• Perform routine histology staining, including H&E, as well as special stains.
• Perform manual and/or automated IHC staining, including antigen retrieval and detection.
• Operate and maintain histology laboratory equipment, including microtomes and autostainers.
• Perform slide imaging/scanning and organize digital images for study team review.
• Maintain accurate records of samples, staining runs, QC checks, and laboratory activities.
• Troubleshoot tissue quality and staining issues and escalate as appropriate.

Skills

FFPE Tissue Processing

Microtome Sectioning

Histology / H&E Staining

IHC / Immunohistochemistry

Paraffin Embedding

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Histotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or related field

Tools

Leica Bond

Ventana/Roche/Dako

Microtomes

Coverslippers

Job description

The Fountain Group is seeking an Associate Scientist I in Irvine, CA for an 8‑month contract to support histology operations in skincare R&D and clinical development, focusing on FFPE processing, microtomy, staining, and slide imaging.

The ideal candidate has 1–3+ years of hands-on histology experience, strong attention to detail, and the ability to follow SOPs and safety practices in a high‑throughput onsite lab environment.