Job Title: Associate Scientist
Location: Thousand Oaks CA (Onsite)
Duration: 12 Months with possible extension
Terms: Contract W2
Description:
Description:
100% onsite Thousand Oaks
Local candidates preferred.
Hours: Standard business hours, approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contract Length: 12 months
Hiring manager is seeking a junior-level Associate Scientist to support cell-based assay work for small molecule chemistry programs in Thousand Oaks. Manager strongly prefers a fresh graduate profile, ideally a Master’s degree candidate with minimal industry experience who can be trained internally. This team values curiosity, coachability, strong SOP adherence, and eagerness to learn over deep technical tenure.
Ideal candidates should have foundational mammalian cell culture exposure, strong hands-on lab skills, and a collaborative, adaptable mindset. Candidates with stable academic or early-career history, strong communication, and demonstrated scientific interest will align best. Avoid profiles with excessive job hopping, repeated short-duration roles, or overly senior candidates with entrenched lab habits.
Job Details:
Bachelors' degree & 2 YOE
To perform experiments, organize data and analyze results under minimal supervision. With minimal supervision, plans, conducts or monitors experiments, records and organizes data, analyses results, generates robust and reliable data and/or Ensures that contracted studies are conducted in compliance with the respective protocol and applicable guidelines and regulations.
Responsibilities include:
Monitors or follows established experimental design and protocols and performs routine tasks and studies to obtain reproducible and reliable results with limited supervision
Plans, monitors or conducts, analyzes and records experiments, and provides interpretation of data
Effectively transfers experimental methods from literature to the lab and makes modifications as necessary
Develops and implements new protocols with moderate review
Engages coworkers in scientific discussions
Communicates data and interpretation to work group
Skilled at developing systems to ensure quality data
Skilled and/or knowledgeable in the use of standard laboratory equipment and with one or more major laboratory instruments/techniques
Effectively trouble-shoots equipment and experimental difficulties
Contributes to internal/external reports, papers, presentations, regulatory documents, invention disclosure submissions and/or patents
Participates in department-wide support efforts such as safety, recruiting and committees
May train staff and/or supervise others
Coordinates and organizes resources needed to complete the task
Understands when to seek input and when to make independent judgments;
Skills: ; degree in Biology, Biochemistry or Analytical Chemistry ; experience in a Biopharmaceutical working environment
Top 3 Must Have Skill Sets:
1. Strong hands-on lab skills & discipline
Mammalian cell culture experience
Comfortable running established assays
Follow SOPs accurately and consistently
2. Dependable execution & communication
Hard-working, reliable, and organized
Communicates progress and issues clearly
Comfortable asking questions when unsure
3. Positive scientific mindset & team fit
Genuine scientific curiosity and willingness to learn
Respectful, and collaborative
Works well in a structured environment and supports team goals
Day to Day Responsibilities:
1. Develop biochemical, cell-based assays under supervision.
2. Routine execution of MedChem Work Bench (MCWB) biochemical and cell-based assays such as protein binding and displacement, protein degradation, reporter assays, cell viability assays, cytokine secretion assays, etc.
3. Analyze data in Genedata Screener and report the data to the Assay Data Warehouse
4. Document the experiments in Electronic Notebook.
5. Update project teams with assay results.
6. Order, prepare, and/or maintain reagents & consumables needed to perform assays.
7. Maintain cell lines to support genome editing, assay development & assay deliveries.