Scientist III

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Laboratory Setting, Office

Job Description

Location: Carlsbad, CA. Relocation assistance is NOT provided. 

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

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

Discover Impactful Work:

Join our R&D team and help advance groundbreaking molecular biology technologies that impact global health. As a Scientist III, you'll lead innovative projects developing next-generation sequencing applications, diagnostic assays, and molecular testing solutions. You'll work with cutting-edge technologies while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to solve complex scientific challenges. We empower our scientists with resources and autonomy to drive meaningful discoveries from concept through commercialization. Your expertise will contribute directly to products that enable breakthrough research in cancer treatment, environmental protection, and forensic science.

A day in the Life:

• Independently design, execute, and interpret complex experiments to support development, validation, lifecycle management, and limited on-market support of companion diagnostics, primarily the Oncomine Dx Express Test.
• Perform hands-on laboratory work, including NGS sample preparation, assay execution, data review, and troubleshooting, in a regulated CDx environment.
• Analyze and interpret sequencing and assay performance data; ensure data integrity and compliance with design controls and CDx regulatory requirements.
• Develop clear, high-quality technical documentation (protocols, reports, design history and validation deliverables).
• Collaborate and communicate results with cross-functional teams (R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Program Management).
• Contribute to method optimization, assay robustness, risk mitigation, and support verification, validation, and change management activities.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor junior scientists, and support root-cause investigations and CAPAs as needed.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, IVDR, and internal quality system requirements while proactively identifying and resolving scientific and technical challenges to keep CDx programs on track.

Keys to Success:

Education

• Advanced Degree plus 3+ years of experience, or bachelor's degree plus 5+ years of experience in molecular biology techniques including DNA/RNA handling, PCR, qPCR, and nucleic acid quantification
• Preferred Fields of Study: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or related life sciences field

Experience

• Proven expertise in next-generation sequencing technologies, library preparation, and workflow optimization
• Experience working in regulated environments (ISO 13485, 21 CFR Part 820)
• Strong understanding of experimental design, data analysis, and statistical methods
• Proficiency with bioinformatics tools and data visualization software (JMP, R, Python)
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems and laboratory automation
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues
• Strong documentation skills including detailed lab notebooks and technical reports

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for presenting to diverse audiences
• Experience in project leadership and cross-functional collaboration
• Experience mentoring scientists and coordinating team activities
• Ability to work in BSL2 laboratory environment
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work independently and as part of a team

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in California is $91,700.00–$137,525.00.

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