Principal Scientist

Precision Medicine Group, LLC.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Precision Medicine Group, LLC in Houston seeks a Principal Scientist to lead design and qualification of molecular assays (ddPCR, qPCR, NGS, Nanostring, FISH). You will mentor junior scientists, develop experimental plans with timelines, and ensure GLP, CAP, and CLIA compliance while delivering timely client data.

The role emphasizes hands-on work, report generation, and collaboration with biopharmaceutical clients, with a focus on quality and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Must have a Ph.D. in life sciences or relevant field (e.g. Molecular Biology).
• At least 8 years related full-time laboratory experience.
• Strong bench scientist skills around molecular assays; hands-on sequencing, ddPCR, and qPCR experience.
• Experience in validation/qualification of assays to CAP/CLIA/GLP or ISO guidelines.
• Ability to lead, train, and mentor scientists and technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Designs, implements, and troubleshoots molecular assays to meet client requirements.
• Oversees SOP writing and regulatory-compliance activities.
• Generates technical reports and client communications.
• Mentors scientists and staff; trains on lab procedures and data presentation.
• Ensures safety, quality, and efficient lab operations.

Skills

Molecular assays

ddPCR

qPCR

Next Gen Sequencing

Lab leadership

GxP compliance

Mentoring

Education

PhD in life sciences

Tools

CAP/CLIA/GLP ISO guidelines

Job description

Location: Houston, TX, USA
Category: Laboratory
Division: Precision for Medicine
Business Unit: Translational Sciences
Requisition Number: 7322

Position Summary

The Principal Scientist will be instrumental in helping Precision achieve its goals of delivering exceptional services to Precision’s diverse, innovative, and global biopharmaceutical clients. Working closely with the assigned manager, the Principal Scientist will help support key scientific projects ensuring best practices are implemented to support timely delivery of client projects. Key components will be focused on the design and development of innovative qualified and validated molecular assays including, but not limited to, ddPCR, qPCR, Next Gen Sequencing, Nanostring, and FISH assays.

The successful candidate will assist and be a resource for scientist team members to design experimental plans and timelines, that match client specifications/requirements. The candidate should be able to communicate project plans and progress to the client, along with executing and reporting the work according to agreed timelines and under the appropriate regulations (GLP, CAP, CLIA etc.). A significant aspect of this role is the training and mentoring of junior scientists and team members in both laboratory techniques and in the analysis and presentation of data. This role will provide technical expertise to the laboratory and perform “hands on” experiments as needed for training and mentoring purposes.

Essential functions of the job include but are not limited to:

• Designs, implements, and troubleshoots molecular assays with the scientific team to meet client requirements
• Oversees the scientists writing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to perform assays to meet client requirements and the level of regulatory compliance needed
• Oversees the generation of technical reports and other communications required to present data to clients
• Helps support the generation of posters and papers for submission to conference organizers and peer reviewed journals when applicable and approved by senior management
• Reviews and edit client proposals, contract/proposals as needed
• Trains and mentors scientific staff in the review and presentation of client data; supports client calls as the leading expert for the team
• Trains and mentors technical staff on how to perform laboratory procedures. Devises and performs training and competency assessments to ensure staff can perform tasks independently
• Maintains and supports safe lab practices and environment
• Tracks and trends laboratory efficiency and quality
• Performs duties with a high degree of independence, quality, and efficiency
• Acts as internal expert on technical advances to anticipate and act as a thought leader to management on all matters related to their scope of work.
• Initiates and/or recommends appropriate courses of action and identifies matters requiring policy interpretation or revision
• Ensures scope of work and change orders are followed by technical team, and minimizes scope creepHelps support the scheduling of work with the team, to ensure financial targets are being met by the lab staff

Qualifications

• Must have a Ph.D. in life sciences or relevant field (e.g. Molecular Biology)
• At least 8 years related full-time laboratory experience

Other Required:

• Strong bench scientist skills around molecular assays. Hands on sequencing, ddPCR, and qPCR experience is required.
• Experience in validation/qualification of assays to CAP/CLIA/GLP or ISO guidelines
• Strong organizational skills
• Experienced technical report generation
• The ability to see and differentiate between colors on the full color spectrum
• Ability to lift and carry between 1-15 lbs.; Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. overhead with assistance; frequently required to sit, grasp, and use right/left finger dexterity; May be exposed to a cold freezer environment (Freezer temperatures range between -20ºC -196ºC)
• Must be able to read, write, speak fluently, and comprehend the English language

Preferred:

• 10-15+ years’ experience as a molecular laboratorian in a leadership role with direct reports
• Experience supervising or mentoring scientists or technical personnel
• Industrial experience and/or management of outside collaborations is desirable
• A solid understanding of current GxP or CAP/CLIA/ISO standards
• Previous work experience in GLP or GCLP or CLIA regulatory compliance

Precision is required by law in some states or cities to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Precision, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. This role is also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, health insurance, retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, and paid time off for sick leave and vacation, among other benefits.

Reasonable estimate of the current range

$110,700— $166,100 USD

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without employer sponsorship.

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If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Precision Medicine Group at [e-mail] .