Senior Scientific Associate

RXinsider LTD.; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles River Laboratories seeks a Senior Scientific Associate to lead preclinical toxicology studies and coordinate client communications throughout the study lifecycle.

You will design study plans, oversee GLP-compliant work, and collaborate with cross-functional teams while growing toward Study Director responsibilities within the Toxicology organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in toxicology or related life science.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a regulated scientific, laboratory, or preclinical environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee preclinical toxicology and safety assessment studies of basic complexity.
• Oversee study conduct from protocol development through final reporting, ensuring GLP compliance.
• Design, review, and maintain study plans and related documentation.
• Coordinate activities across scientific, veterinary, laboratory, and operational teams.
• Interpret study data and contribute to scientific reports for clients.
• Act as client liaison, participating in meetings and site visits.
• Develop understanding of study management, budgets, and operational factors.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Toxicology, Biology, Pharmacology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Life Sciences, or related scientific discipline

Job description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Overview

As a Senior Scientific Associate, you will function as an independent Study Director responsible for leading pre-clinical toxicology and safety assessment studies of basic complexity. You will collaborate cross-functionally and communicate directly with our clients, serving as an important point of coordination throughout the study lifecycle.

This position provides an opportunity to expand scientific, operational, and client-facing experience while building the skills necessary to lead increasingly complex toxicology studies and progress within the Research Scientist/Study Director career path.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee preclinical toxicology and safety assessment studies of basic complexity.
• Oversee study conduct from protocol development through final reporting, ensuring studies are executed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards.
• Design, review, and maintain study plans, amendments, schedules, and other study-related documentation.
• Coordinate study activities across scientific, veterinary, laboratory, and operational teams to ensure successful study execution.
• Interpret study data and contribute to the preparation, review, and delivery of scientific reports.
• Serve as a point of contact for clients, participating in study-related meetings, teleconferences, site visits, and ongoing communications.
• Develop a strong understanding of study management, study budgets, and the operational factors that influence successful study delivery. Collaborate with experienced Toxicology leaders to develop the scientific, operational, and client-facing skills required for increasingly complex Study Director responsibilities.
• Interact closely with Quality Assurance, veterinary, and technical teams while building expertise in regulatory compliance, animal welfare, and study oversight processes.
• Contribute to departmental initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and the ongoing growth of the Toxicology organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Toxicology, Biology, Pharmacology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Life Sciences, or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a regulated scientific, laboratory, research, or preclinical environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively across functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD, DVM, PharmD, or related discipline).
• Experience supporting nonclinical safety assessment, toxicology, pathology, necropsy, clinical pathology, technical operations, or related scientific programs.
• Experience working directly with Study Directors or supporting regulated studies.
• Previous leadership, team lead, supervisory, or project coordination experience.
• Experience interacting with internal stakeholders and/or external clients.

The pay range for this position is $72K-$88K annually.

About Safety Assessment

Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life. Based on your position these may include: bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, Health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work life balance flexibility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

It is unlawful in some states (including Massachusetts) to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.