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How to hire an assay development scientist

Assay development scientist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring assay development scientists in the United States:

  • There are currently 19,749 assay development scientists in the US, as well as 95,381 job openings.
  • Assay development scientists are in the highest demand in San Diego, CA, with 10 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire an assay development scientist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new assay development scientist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an assay development scientist, step by step

To hire an assay development scientist, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire an assay development scientist, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step assay development scientist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an assay development scientist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assay development scientist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an assay development scientist do?

Assay development scientists are biochemical experts who develop procedures that test or measure the activity of a drug or biochemical in an organism. These scientists are required to provide technical support to develop new assays as well as assist in the transfer of assay to clinical laboratories internationally. They must collaborate with laboratory scientists and managers to optimize laboratory processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Assay development scientists must also produce and submit reports about the development of assays to the research & development (R&D;) managers as well as project managers.

Learn more about the specifics of what an assay development scientist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your assay development scientist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an assay development scientist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An assay development scientist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assay development scientists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of assay development scientist salaries for various roles:

    Type of Assay Development ScientistDescriptionHourly rate
    Assay Development ScientistMedical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.$24-54
    MicrobiologistMicrobiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases... Show more$18-36
    Laboratory AnalystA Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.$14-29
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Assay Development
    • Cell-Based Assays
    • Data Analysis
    • Next-Generation Sequencing
    • Molecular Biology
    • Elisa
    • Cell Biology
    • Cell Culture
    • Immunoassay
    • GMP
    • FDA
    • RNA
    • GLP
    • Graphpad Prism
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage a group of three laboratory technicians performing ELISA assays and protein purification.
    • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
    • Co-Direct implementation of immunoassay analysis software interface into LIMS.
    • Perform total RNA and specific RNA extraction of samples.
    • Involve in DNA extraction, library prep, bio-analysing and sequencing runs.
    • Develop residual host cell DNA assays in drug substance and in-process samples using real time PCR.
    More assay development scientist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your assay development scientist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An assay development scientist can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, assay development scientists' average salary in utah is 58% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level assay development scientists 56% less than senior-level assay development scientists.
    • Certifications. An assay development scientist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an assay development scientist's salary.

    Average assay development scientist salary

    $75,782yearly

    $36.43 hourly rate

    Entry-level assay development scientist salary
    $50,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 18, 2025

    Average assay development scientist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$103,809$50
    2New Jersey$87,987$42
    3Connecticut$78,983$38
    4Massachusetts$78,122$38
    5Indiana$77,693$37
    6Maryland$70,861$34
    7Tennessee$69,921$34
    8Pennsylvania$66,733$32
    9North Carolina$65,677$32
    10Ohio$64,005$31
    11Michigan$63,249$30
    12Wisconsin$62,689$30
    13Colorado$62,224$30
    14Illinois$61,976$30
    15Texas$55,250$27

    Average assay development scientist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Genentech$100,199$48.1740
    2Natera$99,829$47.9924
    3AbbVie$96,812$46.5481
    4Biogen$92,519$44.48
    5Abbott$90,971$43.7424
    6Hyperion Materials & Technologies$90,060$43.30
    7BD$87,997$42.318
    8Polysciences$86,340$41.51
    9Invitae$85,799$41.25
    10PEAK Technical Staffing USA$84,513$40.63
    11Alere$81,842$39.35
    12Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc$81,762$39.3112
    13Flagship Pioneering$81,690$39.2729
    14Regeneron$81,583$39.2238
    15Merck$81,565$39.21102
    16SEER$80,681$38.79
    17Zoetis$79,322$38.1423
    18Pfizer$78,916$37.9453
    19Randstad North America, Inc.$78,421$37.7015
    20Foundation Medicine$77,647$37.33
  4. Writing an assay development scientist job description

    A good assay development scientist job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an assay development scientist job description:

    Assay development scientist job description example

    We are looking for a highly-motivated Research Associate or Scientist to develop and conduct cellular and biochemical assays to evaluate potential therapeutics, both small and large molecules. Experience in ELISA assay development, cell culture, gene expression with RT-PCR and/or enzyme kinetics is desirable. The candidate needs to be proficient in assay design, trouble-shooting, data analysis and working with 96-w & 384-w plate-based assays. This position requires working with an interdisciplinary team within QDI as well as with outside collaborators.


    Essential Duties & Responsibilities

    List below the major areas of responsibility of the job in descending order of importance (most important to least important). Indicate the approximate percentage of time spent on each responsibility (note the total of all percentages must equal 100%, 3-5 responsibilities is normal but may vary). Under each responsibility, summarize the specific duties required to perform the job. Give as much detail as necessary to fully explain the job and consider:

    • Whether the reason the job exists is to perform that function and whether removing the function would fundamentally change the job;
    • Whether serious consequences would arise if someone in this job is not required to perform a particular function/s;
    • The number of employees available to perform the function or among whom the function can be distributed; and,
    • The degree of expertise or skill required to perform the function.

    % of Time

    Duties & Responsibilities

    75%

    Execute biological experiments.

    5%

    Design biological experiments.

    10%

    Analyze and interpret experimental data

    10%

    Interact with team members and clients

    Choose %

    Choose %

    Choose %

    100%


    Minimum Job Requirements & Qualifications

    Describe the minimum level of formal education and experience required to successfully perform the job
    as well as any required certification, licensure or registration. KSAs may include language requirements, required computer ability, communications skills, etc.

    Educational/Training Requirement:

    For Research Associate: BS/MS in biology, biochemistry and other related fields

    For Scientist: PhD in biology, biochemistry and other related

    • Basic understanding and training in Biology, Biochemistry and any related field.
    • Ability to design, execute, analyze and interpret experiments.
    • Attention to detail.
    • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
    • Ability to follow through.
    • Positive and collaborative disposition with the ability to work cooperatively within a team

    Experience:

    • Driven to successful outcomes, adaptive in times of change, and innovative in face of roadblocks

    For Research Associate: 3+ years of hands-on experience, industrial experience is preferred.

    For Scientist: 2+ years of hands-on experience, industrial experience is preferred.


    Frontage Laboratories Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
    PHYSICAL DEMANDS and work environment CHECKLIST

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These may include lifting, pushing, climbing, degree of eyestrain, sitting for extended periods of time, prolonged standing, etc. Frequency refers to the amount of time one is engaged in the activity; please estimate time by checking the appropriate boxes.

    Physical Demands

    Physical Demand

    None

    Rarely

    Occasionally

    Frequently

    Constantly

    Weight

    Standing

    X

    Walking

    X

    Sitting

    X

    Lifting

    X

    Choose weight

    Carrying

    Choose weight

    Pushing

    Choose weight

    Pulling

    Choose weight

    Climbing or balancing

    X

    Stooping, kneeling, crouching
    or crawling

    X

    Reaching with hands/arms

    X

    Using hands to finger, handle, grasp or feel

    Talking

    X

    Hearing

    Tasting or smelling

    X

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find assay development scientists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your assay development scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit assay development scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with assay development scientist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assay development scientist

    Once you've decided on a perfect assay development scientist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new assay development scientist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an assay development scientist?

Hiring an assay development scientist comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting assay development scientists involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of assay development scientist recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for assay development scientists is $75,782 in the US. However, the cost of assay development scientist hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring an assay development scientist for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $24 and $54 an hour.

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