Sr. Research Associate - Assay Transfer

ACTalent; Oro Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax

Life Insurance

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent in Oro Valley, AZ seeks a Sr Research Associate to support assay transfer and manufacturing transfer initiatives. You will design and execute lab protocols, perform scale‑up activities, and document results for smooth handoff from Development to Manufacturing.

The role requires hands‑on wet lab experience (IHC/ISH) in a regulated environment, cross‑functional collaboration, and mentoring of teammates. This onsite contract position offers benefits and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in a scientific discipline with post‑college experience as stated.
• Hands‑on wet lab experience, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH).
• Experience in regulated product development or manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, execution, and troubleshooting of laboratory protocols and scale‑up activities.
• Perform wet lab experiments, record observations, and analyze data for transfer initiatives.
• Prepare manufacturing docs and execute transfer activities from Development to Manufacturing.
• Support process capability improvements and communicate results to teams.
• Mentor colleagues and participate in cross‑functional teams and investigations.

Skills

IHC

ISH

Wet lab

Regulated environment

Six Sigma

DQM

Cross-functional teamwork

Technical reporting

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline

Master's degree in relevant field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Research Associate Assay Transfer

Job Description

The Research Associate Assay Transfer plays a key role in facilitating the seamless transition of new and existing reagent products from Development to Manufacturing. You initiate, direct, and execute process characterization, scientific research, and manufacturing process strategies that support product manufacturability and enhance process capability. This position is ideal for a hands‑on scientist who enjoys working at the intersection of laboratory experimentation, process optimization, and cross‑functional collaboration in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and troubleshooting of complex laboratory protocols, bench experiments, process characterization, and scale‑up activities with minimal supervision.
• Conduct wet lab experiments, record meticulous observations, and perform quantitative data analysis to support assay transfer and process improvement initiatives.
• Prepare manufacturing documentation and execute transfer activities for new products to ensure smooth handoff from Development to Manufacturing.
• Champion Quality First Time standards and identify, propose, and implement process capability improvements within the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Serve as a technical resource to troubleshoot complex technical problems, institute corrective actions, and resolve issues involving intangible or poorly defined variables.
• Optimize workflows and processes to improve efficiency and reliability, while identifying potential opportunities for patents or scientific publications.
• Generate comprehensive technical reports, summaries, and experimental procedures that clearly document methodologies, results, and conclusions.
• Present findings and scientific data effectively to project teams, group meetings, and organizational stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of technical concepts.
• Partner actively across organizational boundaries and participate in or lead cross‑functional technical teams, including core teams and failure investigations.
• Contribute to project planning by providing creative, data‑driven solutions and technical input that support product and process strategy.
• Mentor and train team members in areas of expertise, sharing best practices in assay transfer, laboratory techniques, and process characterization.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in a scientific discipline with at least 6 years of post‑college relevant experience, or a Masters degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience with wet lab and biological techniques, specifically immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH).
• Experience working in a regulated environment, such as product development and/or manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency in standard laboratory techniques and the ability to independently design and execute complex experiments.
• Strong skills in scientific literature retrieval to inform experimental design and process optimization.
• Proficiency with common software tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, and graphical/presentation applications.
• Ability to apply Design for Six Sigma methodologies to optimize processes and address technical challenges.
• Ability to apply Design for Quality and Manufacturability (DQM) principles to improve product and process robustness.
• Demonstrated capability to generate detailed technical reports and experimental procedures and to present scientific data clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and implement effective corrective actions.
• Experience collaborating on cross‑functional technical teams and contributing to project planning and failure investigations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in assays, biology, molecular biology, or chemistry, with a strong foundation in laboratory-based research.
• Experience with process characterization and scale‑up activities in support of manufacturing transfer.
• Familiarity with process capability improvement initiatives and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to recognize and develop opportunities for intellectual property or scientific publications arising from project work.
• Comfort mentoring or training colleagues in specialized techniques and areas of scientific expertise.
• Candidates are expected to meet the minimum post‑college experience requirements: 6 years for a Bachelors degree or 1 year for a Masters degree.

Work Environment

This is an onsite Sr Research Associate role within an assay transfer and manufacturing support environment. You work primarily in a laboratory setting that supports regulated product development and manufacturing operations, using wet lab equipment and techniques such as IHC and ISH, along with standard laboratory instruments. The role involves close collaboration with cross‑functional teams, including development, manufacturing, and quality, and requires regular documentation and presentation of technical data. Typical work follows standard business hours, with occasional flexibility as needed to support experiments, process transfers, and project timelines. Professional laboratory attire, including appropriate safety gear, is expected in accordance with facility guidelines.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Oro Valley, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Oro Valley, AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Oro Valley,AZ.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in 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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.