Research Associate – Assay Development

Kelly Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement savings plan

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to ongoing laboratory research initiatives in Ashland, VA. This on-site role supports experimental workflows, data generation, and assay-related projects in a 6-month engagement with a Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm schedule.

The successful candidate will perform bench experiments, develop workflows, prepare reagents, record observations, and maintain instrument uptime while adhering to safety and documentation standards. $30/hr.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with several years of hands-on lab experience, or a Master’s degree with relevant experience.
• Background working with biological or biochemical techniques in a lab setting.
• Ability to manage experiments with limited oversight.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable handling data and using basic software tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint).
• Effective communication and ability to work within a team.

Responsibilities

• Carry out laboratory experiments and support ongoing research projects
• Assist in the development and refinement of assay workflows
• Prepare solutions, reagents, and materials needed for daily lab activities
• Record experimental observations and organize results in a clear, structured manner
• Interpret data and share insights with internal team members
• Ensure proper use and upkeep of laboratory instruments
• Follow internal guidelines for safety, documentation, and lab practices
• Provide support for general laboratory functions, including sample-related tasks

Skills

Lab data handling

Organization

Excel/PowerPoint

Team communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree with hands-on lab experience

Master’s degree with relevant experience

Tools

Benchtop instruments

Job description

Research Associate

Location:

Ashland, VA (On-site)

Duration:

Initial 6-month engagement with possibility of conversion

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Pay Rate:

$30/hr

Overview

A growing organization in the life sciences space is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to ongoing laboratory research initiatives. This individual will play a key role in supporting experimental workflows, generating high-quality data, and assisting in the advancement of assay-related projects.

What You’ll Do

• Carry out laboratory experiments and support ongoing research projects
• Assist in the development and refinement of assay workflows
• Prepare solutions, reagents, and materials needed for daily lab activities
• Record experimental observations and organize results in a clear, structured manner
• Interpret data and share insights with internal team members
• Ensure proper use and upkeep of laboratory instruments
• Follow internal guidelines for safety, documentation, and lab practices
• Provide support for general laboratory functions, including sample-related tasks

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree with several years of hands-on lab experience, or a Master’s degree with relevant experience
• Background working with biological or biochemical techniques in a lab setting
• Ability to manage experiments with limited oversight
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Comfortable handling data and using basic software tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint)
• Effective communication and ability to work within a team

Nice to Have

• Experience working with protein-focused or antibody-based techniques
• Exposure to clinical, diagnostic, or regulated lab environments
• Familiarity with improving or troubleshooting experimental methods

Additional Considerations

• Role requires extended time performing benchwork and routine lab tasks
• May involve handling biological materials and working in temperature-controlled storage conditions
• Schedule flexibility available depending on candidate availability

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type.

• Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability.
• As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account.
• In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en).

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affluent Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.