Senior Scientist

Healthcare Recruiters International; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthcare Recruiters International is seeking a molecular biology scientist to own end-to-end development and manufacturing of real-time PCR reagents—from primer/probe design through scale-up, QC, and lot release.

You’ll design primers/probes, optimize qPCR assays across singleplex to multiplex, develop master mixes, validate assays per CLSI/GxP and generate clear documentation for Ops/QA/Reg.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related field.
• 3+ years hands-on qPCR assay design and wet-lab optimization (industry preferred).
• Fluency with Primer3/PrimerQuest, OligoAnalyzer, NCBI BLAST, and multiplex design principles.
• Proven track record taking assays from concept - validated method - manufactured product.
• Strong grasp of GxP/ISO-style documentation and change control.
• Comfort analyzing data in Excel/R/Python or platform software (e.g., QuantStudio/CFX Manager).

Responsibilities

• Design highly specific primers/probes (hydrolysis/other chemistries) with rigorous in-silico analysis (BLAST, cross-reactivity, dimer/secondary structure, multiplex compatibility).
• Develop & optimize qPCR assays (singleplex - multiplex): annealing temps, Mg/dNTP balance, enzyme selection, inhibitors tolerance, efficiency (90-110%), linearity, and reproducibility.
• Formulate master mixes and buffers; evaluate stabilizers and excipients; contribute to lyophilized/liquid formats and fill/finish.
• Validate assays to CLSI-style expectations (e.g., LoD, precision, inclusivity/exclusivity, interference, carryover); plan and execute real-time/accelerated stability studies.
• Transfer to manufacturing: create DMR/lot records, SOPs, WI/batch records; train production; support CAPA/NCs.
• QC & lot release: define acceptance criteria (Cq, efficiency, R2, NTC behavior), build control strategies, and troubleshoot failures fast.
• Platform breadth: qualify methods across common thermocyclers and extraction workflows; ensure cross-platform thermal protocols when feasible.
• Data & documentation: keep airtight ELN, author clear reports, and communicate results crisply to Ops/QA/Reg.

Skills

qPCR assay design

Wet-lab optimization

Data analysis (Excel/R/Python)

Education

MS/PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Bioengineering

Tools

Primer3/PrimerQuest

OligoAnalyzer

NCBI BLAST

QuantStudio/CFX Manager

Job description

The role

You’ll own end-to-end development and manufacturing of real-time PCR reagents—from primer/probe design through scale-up, QC, and lot release. If you’re equal parts designer, optimizer, and disciplined documenter, you’ll thrive here.

What you’ll do

• Design highly specific primers/probes (hydrolysis/other chemistries) with rigorous in-silico analysis (BLAST, cross-reactivity, dimer/secondary structure, multiplex compatibility).
• Develop & optimize qPCR assays (singleplex - multiplex): annealing temps, Mg/dNTP balance, enzyme selection, inhibitors tolerance, efficiency (90-110%), linearity, and reproducibility.
• Formulate master mixes and buffers; evaluate stabilizers and excipients; contribute to lyophilized/liquid formats and fill/finish.
• Validate assays to CLSI-style expectations (e.g., LoD, precision, inclusivity/exclusivity, interference, carryover); plan and execute real-time/accelerated stability studies.
• Transfer to manufacturing: create DMR/lot records, SOPs, WI/batch records; train production; support CAPA/NCs.
• QC & lot release: define acceptance criteria (Cq, efficiency, R2, NTC behavior), build control strategies, and troubleshoot failures fast.
• Platform breadth: qualify methods across common thermocyclers and extraction workflows; ensure cross-platform thermal protocols when feasible.
• Data & documentation: keep airtight ELN, author clear reports, and communicate results crisply to Ops/QA/Reg.

Minimum qualifications

• MS/PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related field.
• 3+ years hands-on qPCR assay design and wet-lab optimization (industry preferred).
• Fluency with Primer3/PrimerQuest, OligoAnalyzer, NCBI BLAST, and multiplex design principles.
• Proven track record taking assays from concept - validated method - manufactured product.
• Strong grasp of GxP/ISO-style documentation and change control.
• Comfort analyzing data in Excel/R/Python or platform software (e.g., QuantStudio/CFX Manager)