Scientist – Cell Culture / Automation

ThermoFisher Scientific; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific in San Diego invites applications for a Scientist – Cell Culture / Automation. This role supports cell culture workflows and automated assay development in a GMP-compliant lab environment.

You will perform cell thaws, maintain cultures, set up and monitor automated experiments, and communicate findings to cross-functional teams. The position is full-time, on-site, with regular day shift hours and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in lab sciences or related field required.
• 2+ years of Scientist experience or Master’s degree preferred.
• Equivalency considered for education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform cell thaws and maintain cell culture for assay workflows.
• Conduct automated cell-based assays in support of lead discovery programs.
• Setup and monitor automated experiments; elevate observations to leadership.
• Communicate scientific ideas and results clearly across audiences.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency.

Skills

Cell culture

Automation

HTS instruments

Troubleshooting

MS Office

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in lab sciences

Master's degree

Tools

Liquid handling equipment

HTS instrumentation

Job description

Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Laboratory Setting

Job Description

Scientist – Cell Culture / Automation

Shift: Full-Time; Monday – Friday; 8am-5pm PST

ONSITE

This is a fully onsite role based at our customer’s site in (San Diego, CA). We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Please note that relocation assistance is not provided for this position, and any relocation costs will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

Thermo Fisher's clinical research business is a leading global contract research organization and world leader in serving science. We are passionate, deliberate, and driven by our mission – to enable our customers to make the world healthier, safer, and cleaner.

Our Laboratories Functional Service Partnership (FSP) team plays a direct role in advancing drug development by creating sustained groups of talent within our customers’ organizations to provide long‑term support. Through this collaborative approach, our professionals bring their commitment to excellence, industry knowledge, and operational strength directly into customer environments, helping to enhance capabilities and advance the delivery of life‑changing therapies.

Key responsibilities

• Perform cell thaws and maintain cell culture for assay workflows.
• Conduct automated cell‑based assays in support of early lead discovery programs.
• Setup and monitor automated experiments and elevate observations and trends in assay performance to leadership.
• Clearly communicate scientific ideas and results across a broad range of audiences.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve workflow efficiency.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in lab sciences such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, Material Science, Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology or similar
• Scientist: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2+ years’)
• OR Masters degree

In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience with cell culture for a diversity of cell types (hEK, CHO, iPSC cells, and primary cells). Experience with large scale, multiple workflows, and/or bioreactors is preferred.
• Experience with liquid handling equipment and general plate handling automation preferred
• Demonstrated experience in the use of automation and HTS instrumentation
• The successful candidate will be a self‑motivated, detail oriented individual able to multitask and follow directions
• Critical thinking and the ability to learn and apply troubleshooting techniques for automation is key
• Demonstrated strong organization, communication and interpersonal skills with an emphasis on customer service
• Must be flexible and responsive to changing priorities
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Ability and willingness to work rotating weekend shifts according to business needs
• Must have a high aptitude for common computer programs (e.g. "MS Office"), in addition to being comfortable in learning new software and hardware systems
• Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast‑paced, highly‑matrixed work environment

Working Environment

Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.

Able to work upright and stationary and/or standing for typical working hours.

Able to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds

Able to work in non‑traditional work environments.

Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.

May have exposure to potentially hazardous elements, including infectious agents, typically found in healthcare or laboratory environments.

Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.

Benefits

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward‑thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $35.00–$38.10.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long‑term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.