Associate Scientist
Thousand Oaks, CA
6 Month Initial Contract
Pay: $31/hr
Schedule: Mon to Fri, 8AM to 5PM
About the Role
We are seeking an Associate Scientist to support inventory management and operations for controlled environment equipment (CEE), including freezers, refrigerators, desiccators, and liquid nitrogen tanks. This role focuses on maintaining accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in a regulated lab environment.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory & Operations Management
- Build and maintain inventory across controlled storage environments (refrigerators, freezers, LN2, ambient, etc.)
- Develop and implement check-in/check-out processes with lab staff
- Oversee daily inventory flow: receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping
Inventory Accuracy & Control
- Perform cycle counts and full physical inventories
- Reconcile discrepancies between physical stock and system records
- Investigate and resolve issues such as damaged or missing items
Systems & Reporting
- Maintain inventory systems, including updates and adjustments
- Generate reports on inventory levels, movement, and performance
- Analyze trends to support process improvements
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure cold chain integrity (temperature/humidity monitoring and handling)
- Follow FDA and regulatory guidelines for safety and quality
- Enforce company safety and security policies
Collaboration
- Partner with lab staff and cross-functional teams to ensure smooth operations
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Computer Science, or a related field
- Minimum 2 years of experience with laboratory systems and electronic data in pharma/biotech
- Experience in inventory management, preferably in cold storage or logistics
Technical & Regulatory Knowledge
- Familiarity with LIMS/ELN systems (e.g., Watson LIMS, StarLIMS, IDBS ELN)
- Understanding of GxP environments and regulatory frameworks (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11/58)
Skills & Competencies
- Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities
- Self-motivated and proactive
- Comfortable working in cross-functional and matrixed teams
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio)
- Adaptable and able to work across time zones
