Senior Scientist, Reagent/Assay Development

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche in California is seeking a Senior Scientist, Reagent/Assay Development to advance reagents and assays for NGS applications. The role combines hands-on lab work, experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting to improve performance and manufacturability.

You will collaborate with automation, software, engineering, quality, and operations teams to support product development and transfer to manufacturing. A Bachelor's with 5 years NGS experience is required; PhD is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological/Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with at least 5 years of NGS experience.
• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, bioengineering, or related field is preferred, with 0–3 years NGS research/industry experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with NGS workflows and molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with laboratory automation, automated instrumentation, and workflow development.
• Proficiency in Python or similar languages for data analysis and automation.
• Familiarity with DOE, statistical analysis, and process optimization is a plus.
• Experience collaborating with automation, software, and mechanical engineering teams is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate assays to assess the quality of reagents.
• Contribute to establishment of manufacturing processes for reagents and transfer to operations.
• Analyze experimental data, form conclusions, and present findings to project teams.
• Identify and resolve issues related to reagent performance, assay development, or manufacturing processes.
• Work with scientists, engineers, and operations to implement new reagents.
• Maintain good laboratory practices, records, and instrument upkeep.
• Stay up-to-date with literature and advancements in reagent development.

Skills

NGS workflows

Molecular biology techniques

Python

Experimental design

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

DOE

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

Laboratory automation

Automated instrumentation

Job description

About Roche

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

Senior Scientist, Reagent/Assay Development will contribute to the development and optimization of reagents and assays for next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications.

This role combines hands‑on laboratory work, experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting to improve reagent and workflow performance, robustness, and manufacturability.

The Opportunity

As a scientist, you will work closely with cross‑functional teams, including automation, software, engineering, quality, and operations, to support product development and transfer to manufacturing.

• Conducting experiments to evaluate and optimize the performance of reagents, including assessing their stability, formulation, and manufacturing tolerances.
• Designing, developing, and validating assays to assess the quality of both incoming and manufactured reagents.
• Contributing to the establishment of manufacturing processes for reagents and transferring these processes to operations.
• Analyzing experimental data, forming conclusions and suggesting future experiments, generating reports, and presenting findings to project teams.
• Identifying and resolving issues related to reagent performance, assay development, or manufacturing processes.
• Working closely with other scientists, engineers, and operations personnel to ensure the successful development and implementation of new reagents.
• Adhering to good laboratory practices, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring the proper maintenance of laboratory equipment, laboratory spaces, and inventory.
• Keeping up‑to‑date with scientific literature and technological advancements in the field of reagent development.

Who You Are

• You bring a Bachelor's degree in Biological/Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field, and 5 years of experience with NGS workflows, reagent development, assay development in a product‑development environment (an equivalent combination of education and work experience is acceptable).
• Preferred: you bring a Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, bioengineering, or a related field, with 0-3 years of NGS‑related research or industry experience.

Behaviors, competencies, and qualities of the ideal applicant.

• Strong hands‑on experience with NGS and molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with laboratory automation and automated instrumentation, including workflow development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in Python or other relevant programming languages for data analysis, visualization, and/or automation.
• Strong skills in experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and process optimization is a plus.
• Experience collaborating with automation, software, and mechanical engineering teams is a plus.

Benefits

Relocation Benefits are not offered for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on California is $99,000 - $133 400. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law.

A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

About Roche

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

We believe it's urgent to deliver medical solutions right now - even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients' lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.