Research Scientist, Screening

Promega Corporation; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Promega Corporation is hiring for a lab operations role in Madison to execute compound screening and profiling for client projects. You will design, validate, and screen compounds with automated cellular assays, while collaborating with program management to meet project timelines and transfer new assays into our screening portfolio.

The position emphasizes robust compound management, scalability during transfers from R&D, and ongoing process improvements to enhance lab capabilities and data

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in a scientific discipline with 3-9 years post-graduate lab experience.
• Demonstrated competence in the design and execution of complex experimental strategies.

Responsibilities

• Execute, analyze, and deliver compound screening and profiling projects for clients.
• Develop and execute robust compound management capabilities ensuring compound availability, integrity, and traceability.
• Design and implement laboratory automation methods.
• Ensure smooth transition and scalability during assay and technology transfer from R&D into TRS Screening Services.
• Drive process improvement initiatives that grow the capabilities, capacity, and robustness of the lab to better support customers and grow the business.
• Deliver high-quality, accurate data via rigorous and reproducible automation workflows.
• Provide clear, insightful data reports; engage effectively with clients to interpret results and offer expert advice and recommendations.
• Foster strong relationships with clients and internal teams to ensure project objectives are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Stay current on relevant industry technologies, methodologies, and trends; implement new techniques or lab automation as necessary.
• Demonstrate inclusion through words and actions; maintain a safe workspace. Act with kindness, curiosity, and respect for others.
• Embrace and incorporate Promega's 6 Emotional & Social Intelligence (ESI) core principles in daily work.
• Understand and comply with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements applicable to the business.
• Demonstrate daily proficiency with AI tools for literature research, documentation, protocol development, and data support. Verify AI outputs critically and distinguish AI-generated synthesis from validated scientific conclusions.
• Contribute to the TRS knowledge layer by documenting experimental rationale, troubleshooting frameworks, and assay-specific SOPs in accessible, persistent formats.
• Help teammates develop AI literacy; model the use of AI as a scientific amplifier rather than a shortcut.

Skills

Cell biology

Laboratory automation

Method development

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Client-partnered environment

Education

B.S. degree in a scientific discipline

Tools

JMP

GraphPad Prism

Python

R

Job description

OUR TEAM:

Our Tailored R&D Solutions (TRS) business leverages Promega's innovative technologies and R&D expertise to provide customized solutions and strategic partnership to help advance clients' drug discovery and development workflows. TRS Screening Services supports client drug discovery ventures through high-throughput screening (HTS) and compound selectivity profiling. We are a dynamic, highly collaborative team focused on delivering high-quality data with rigor, reproducibility, an operations mindset, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

YOUR ROLE:

This position will play a pivotal role in executing lab operations. You will design, validate, and screen client compounds against our innovative suite of cellular assays using laboratory automation. You will work with program management to ensure timely completion of customer projects and collaborate with the broader R&D organization to transfer new assays and technologies into our screening services portfolio. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to directly contribute to client projects, the growth of the business, and the success of our team.

YOUR EXPERIENCE:

• Strong laboratory background in cell biology, including mammalian cell culture.
• Strong commitment to constant process improvement and optimization.
• Experience in some or all of the following: cell culture, laboratory automation, method development and validation, compound management, HTS and/or selectivity profiling, laboratory informatics, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Prior experience working in a client-partnered or collaborative research environment is highly desired.

CORE DUTIES:

• Execute, analyze, and deliver compound screening and profiling projects for clients. Design, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot screening runs. Take initiative to achieve project outcomes.
• Develop and execute robust compound management capabilities ensuring compound availability, integrity, and traceability.
• Design and implement laboratory automation methods.
• Ensure smooth transition and scalability during assay and technology transfer from R&D into TRS Screening Services.
• Drive process improvement initiatives that grow the capabilities, capacity, and robustness of the lab to better support customers and grow the business.
• Deliver high-quality, accurate data via rigorous and reproducible automation workflows.
• Provide clear, insightful data reports; engage effectively with clients to interpret results and offer expert advice and recommendations.
• Foster strong relationships with clients and internal teams to ensure project objectives are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Stay current on relevant industry technologies, methodologies, and trends; implement new techniques or lab automation as necessary.
• Demonstrate inclusion through words and actions; maintain a safe workspace. Act with kindness, curiosity, and respect for others.
• Embrace and incorporate Promega's 6 Emotional & Social Intelligence (ESI) core principles in daily work.
• Understand and comply with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements applicable to the business.
• Demonstrate daily proficiency with AI tools (Claude, Copilot, or equivalent) for literature research, documentation, protocol development, and data support. Verify AI outputs critically and distinguish AI-generated synthesis from validated scientific conclusions.
• Contribute to the TRS knowledge layer by documenting experimental rationale, troubleshooting frameworks, and assay-specific SOPs in accessible, persistent formats.
• Help teammates develop AI literacy; model the use of AI as a scientific amplifier rather than a shortcut.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. degree in a scientific discipline with 3-9 years post-graduate lab experience.
• Demonstrated competence in the design and execution of complex experimental strategies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with Promega bioluminescent platforms (NanoBRET TE, NanoBiT, HiBiT, Lumit) or equivalent BRET/luciferase technologies.
• Experience with laboratory automation platforms for cell-based assays
• Prior experience working in a client-partnered research environment.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (JMP, GraphPad Prism, Python, R) for assay QC and hit identification.
• Demonstrated AI tool proficiency in a scientific context.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work at lab bench or laminar flow hood for extended periods of time.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment while in the lab (gloves, lab coat, safety glasses, etc.).
• Ability to operate a computer for data analysis and documentation.

At Promega, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive workplace. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.