Post job

What does an assay development scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

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.

On this page

Assay development scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real assay development scientist resumes:

  • 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.
  • Experience in using LIMS system for compliant control of sample tracking, sample analysis, and data generation and archival.
  • Develop, optimize, and validate automated quantitative multiplex ELISA procedures.
  • Perform high-throughput compound screening and drug susceptibility testing of clinical samples under GLP guidelines.
  • Conduct experiments design to overcome research relate or manufacturing relate problems following GLP techniques.
  • Identify and characterize SCLC biomarkers of therapeutic and diagnostic value after improving purification yields of target proteins.
  • Carry out preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment and maintain schedules of maintenance to meet FDA inspection standards.
  • Communicate with plant managers, supervisors and operators to produce intermediates and final API in multikilo quantities.
  • Aid in starting up a new microbiology laboratory and expand clean room manufacturing facility with successful FDA approval.
  • Provide technical leadership in the development of IVD immunoassays for cancers and other disease states on high-throughput automate analyzers.

Assay development scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Assay Development Scientists are proficient in Assay Development, Cell-Based Assays, and Data Analysis.

We break down the percentage of Assay Development Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Assay Development, 10%

    Contributed to experimental design, literature review, and execution of assay development initiatives.

  • Cell-Based Assays, 10%

    Purified antibodies and antigens for antibody affinity screens, biochemical and cell-based assays, immunizations, and GLP toxicology studies.

  • Data Analysis, 8%

    Skilled in sequencing data analysis using a variety of technologies including Linux based applications.

  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 7%

    Led execution of research evaluation study to prepare Small-RNA sequencing libraries from clinical samples for Next-Generation sequencing.

  • Molecular Biology, 6%

    Worked closely with molecular biology to screen newly created clones to expand capabilities.

  • Elisa, 5%

    Developed, optimized, and validated automated quantitative multiplex ELISA procedures.

"assay development," "cell-based assays," and "data analysis" are among the most common skills that assay development scientists use at work. You can find even more assay development scientist responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an assay development scientist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what assay development scientists do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, an assay development scientist resume shows how assay development scientists use communication skills: "assisted the assay development laboratory manage/associate director with client communications and proposals. "

Observation skills. Another essential skill to perform assay development scientist duties is observation skills. Assay development scientists responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Assay development scientists also use observation skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "experienced in cryogenics, electronics, and mechanical designs of ir observational scientific instruments. "

Most common assay development scientist skills

The three companies that hire the most assay development scientists are:

Choose from 10+ customizable assay development scientist resume templates

Build a professional assay development scientist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your assay development scientist resume.
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume
Assay Development Scientist Resume

Compare different assay development scientists

Assay development scientist vs. Postdoctoral research associate

A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.

The annual salary of postdoctoral research associates is $22,997 lower than the average salary of assay development scientists.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both assay development scientist and postdoctoral research associate positions are skilled in cell-based assays, data analysis, and next-generation sequencing.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an assay development scientist are more likely to require skills like "assay development," "molecular biology," "gmp," and "fda." On the other hand, a job as a postdoctoral research associate requires skills like "python," "research projects," "chemistry," and "post-doctoral." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Postdoctoral research associates earn the highest salaries when working in the professional industry, with an average yearly salary of $69,999. On the other hand, assay development scientists are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $91,061.On average, postdoctoral research associates reach similar levels of education than assay development scientists. Postdoctoral research associates are 3.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 28.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Assay development scientist vs. Microbiologist

Microbiologists 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. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.

Microbiologist positions earn lower pay than assay development scientist roles. They earn a $21,162 lower salary than assay development scientists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Assay development scientists and microbiologists both require similar skills like "data analysis," "next-generation sequencing," and "elisa" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that assay development scientist responsibilities requires skills like "assay development," "cell-based assays," "molecular biology," and "cell biology." But a microbiologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab equipment," "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," and "test methods."

Microbiologists earn a lower average salary than assay development scientists. But microbiologists earn the highest pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $57,911. Additionally, assay development scientists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $91,061 annually.microbiologists earn lower levels of education than assay development scientists in general. They're 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 28.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assay development scientist vs. Laboratory analyst

A 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.

An average laboratory analyst eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of assay development scientists. The difference in salaries amounts to laboratory analysts earning a $31,758 lower average salary than assay development scientists.By looking over several assay development scientists and laboratory analysts resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cell-based assays," "data analysis," and "elisa." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from assay development scientist resumes include skills like "assay development," "next-generation sequencing," "molecular biology," and "cell biology," whereas a laboratory analyst is more likely to list skills in "test methods," "lab equipment," "laboratory procedures," and "sample preparation. "

Laboratory analysts earn the best pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they command an average salary of $47,806. Assay development scientists earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $91,061.When it comes to education, laboratory analysts tend to earn lower degree levels compared to assay development scientists. In fact, they're 12.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 18.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Assay development scientist vs. Postdoctoral associate

A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.

Postdoctoral associates tend to earn a lower pay than assay development scientists by an average of $21,432 per year.While both assay development scientists and postdoctoral associates complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cell-based assays, data analysis, and next-generation sequencing, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between assay development scientists and postdoctoral associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an assay development scientist might have more use for skills like "assay development," "molecular biology," "gmp," and "fda." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of postdoctoral associates require skills like "patients," "tip," "biomedical," and "crispr. "

Postdoctoral associates enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $53,445. For comparison, assay development scientists earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.postdoctoral associates reach lower levels of education compared to assay development scientists, in general. The difference is that they're 5.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 28.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of assay development scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs