Junior Assay Scientist

Portabledx; Newark, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Portable Diagnostic Systems (PDS), based in Newark, NJ, seeks an Entry-Level Assay Development Scientist to develop and optimize multianalyte immunoassays for its diagnostic platform. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to design experiments, ensure assay quality, and troubleshoot development challenges.

The role emphasizes teamwork, meticulous experimental work, and staying abreast of immunoassay advancements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of immunoassay development experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools.
• Strong experimental design and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork in cross-functional environments.
• High attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Experience in medical device or diagnostics is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize multianalyte immunoassays on the lab-on-a-chip platform.
• Establish and validate quality control methods for assay accuracy, precision, and reliability.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate assay performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Analyze data using statistical methods and recommend improvements based on findings.
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Stay informed on industry trends and advancements in immunoassay technologies.
• Document protocols, results, and findings clearly and organized.

Skills

Attention to detail

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (Chemistry/related)

Tools

ELISA

Lateral flow

Multiplex assays

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Entry-Level Assay Development Scientist to join our team in Newark, NJ. In this role, you will play a key part in developing and optimizing multianalyte immunoassays for our groundbreaking diagnostic platform. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to design and conduct experiments, ensure the quality of assays, and troubleshoot development challenges.

This is an excellent opportunity for a scientist eager to contribute to innovative solutions in diagnostics while growing their skills in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do

Develop and optimize multianalyte immunoassays on our novel lab-on-a-chip platform.

Establish and validate quality control methods to ensure assay accuracy, precision, and reliability.

Design and execute experiments to evaluate assay performance and troubleshoot issues

Analyze data using statistical methods and recommend improvements based on findings.

Work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Stay informed on industry trends and advancements in immunoassay technologies.

Document protocols, results, and findings in a clear and organized manner.

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.

1+ years of experience in immunoassay development, including techniques such as ELISA, lateral flow assays, or multiplex assays.

Familiarity with statistical analysis tools and quality control practices.

Strong experimental design and troubleshooting skills.

Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional environment.

High attention to detail and ability to work independently on assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the medical device or diagnostics industry.

Experience working with microfluidics/lab-on-a-chip technology.

Knowledge of regulatory guidelines and procedures.

About the Company

Portable Diagnostic Systems (PDS) is a Newark, NJ-based biotech startup founded with a clear purpose: to transform public health by making advanced diagnostics accessible beyond the traditional laboratory. Our mission is to deliver lab-quality testing to the places where it’s needed most - secondary care facilities, pharmacies, retail clinics, ambulances, and even the home—bringing critical insights closer to patients and providers.

Built on more than two decades of pioneering research, our platform integrates microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip innovation, biosensing, and artificial intelligence to create powerful yet practical diagnostic solutions. By harnessing these technologies, PDS is shaping a new era of early disease detection, continuous wellness monitoring, and precision medicine.

Our vision is simple but profound: to save lives, improve patient outcomes, and empower communities by making reliable, real-time diagnostics available anytime, anywhere. Currently, PDS is advancing its flagship Integrity-1 Analysis System through a NIDA SBIR Phase II development program, focused on developing an application in postmortem toxicology.