How to hire a project scientist

How to hire a project scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step project scientist hiring guide:

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

What does a project scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a project scientist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A project scientist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, project 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 project scientist salaries for various roles:

   Type of Project Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Project Scientist	Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.	$26-52
   Fellow	A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities... Show more	$22-44
   Research Fellow	A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study... Show more	$18-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Data Analysis
   • Research Projects
   • Oversight
   • Data Management
   • Technical Reports
   • EPA
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • OSHA
   • FDA
   • Laboratory Analysis
   • PCR
   • R
   • GPS
   • Field Testing

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage clearance sampling and responsible for final clearance readings and other duties as directed by EPA.
   • Manage the GIS data set and develop maps to support interim actions, the risk assessment, and the RI/FS.
   • Develop and manage company asbestos inspection program.
   • Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
   • Develop QC HPLC procedure for raw materials and finish products.
   • Perform RNA extraction, RT-PCR and qPCR to evaluate gene regulation on Bcl3 mutants.

   More project scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the project scientist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A project scientist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a project scientist in South Carolina may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level project scientist. Additionally, a project scientist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average project scientist salary

   $79,073yearly

   $38.02 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level project scientist salary

   $56,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average project scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$106,070	$51
   2	California	$100,625	$48
   3	Arizona	$88,025	$42
   4	Nevada	$81,376	$39
   5	Maryland	$78,156	$38
   6	Colorado	$73,853	$36
   7	Wisconsin	$72,608	$35
   8	New York	$72,137	$35
   9	Pennsylvania	$70,998	$34
   10	Virginia	$70,695	$34
   11	Washington	$66,688	$32
   12	Massachusetts	$66,120	$32
   13	New Mexico	$65,570	$32
   14	Nebraska	$63,631	$31
   15	Ohio	$61,247	$29
   16	Texas	$60,774	$29
   17	Georgia	$60,695	$29
   18	Florida	$58,168	$28

   Average project scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Amazon	$151,441	$72.81	731
   2	Google	$142,982	$68.74	136
   3	Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory	$108,800	$52.31
   4	Regeneron	$108,756	$52.29	40
   5	Ncar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research	$104,617	$50.30	1
   6	Stanford University	$101,949	$49.01	35
   7	University of California-Berkeley	$98,879	$47.54
   8	Intertek	$98,552	$47.38	2
   9	Frito-Lay	$97,570	$46.91
   10	FLOW-3D	$96,947	$46.61
   11	University of California	$95,011	$45.68	29
   12	NRDC	$91,518	$44.00
   13	Johnson & Johnson	$90,790	$43.65	79
   14	UC Santa Barbara	$90,676	$43.59
   15	Jacobs Engineering Group	$87,611	$42.12
   16	Sanofi US	$87,145	$41.90	25
   17	USRA	$85,529	$41.12	2
   18	Charles River Labs	$85,053	$40.89	11
   19	Kimberly-Clark	$85,011	$40.87	9
   20	Kelly Services	$84,796	$40.77	28

4. Writing a project scientist job description

   A good project 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 a project scientist job description:

   Project scientist job description example

   Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account.
   
   Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in neuroscience and imaging. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually distinctive environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders pursue a small number of scientific questions with potential for transformative impact. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community. It is a uniquely innovative and collaborative atmosphere that reflects HHMI's reputation for excellence.
   Summary:
   The Genetically Encoded Neuronal Indicator and Effector (GENIE) project develops, tests, optimizes, and collaborates in producing cutting-edge protein-based fluorescent sensors for imaging cellular activity, thus enabling high-resolution monitoring of cellular function in neurons and other cells. The GENIE project employs project team members with expertise in advanced molecular biology, protein engineering, high-throughput cell-based screening, in vivo fluorescence imaging, and image analysis. The Project Scientist will lead a team of scientists from these different disciplines and oversee the cell-based screens to improve sensor functionality as well as the evaluation of these protein-based sensors ranging from in vitro biophysics to in vivo functional imaging. All funding for the project is provided internally by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
   
   Janelia Project Teams are biotech for discovery science and are supported throughout multiple phases of development, from pilot projects which are intended to explore and define directions for future larger efforts, to large, organized efforts with clear milestones and deliverables. The Project Scientist coordinates GENIE project activity, and is responsible for directing, contributing to, and reporting on every facet team projects. The GENIE project team is relatively mature, running for nearly a decade, and has a record of generating best-in-class sensors, which have been used extensively in neuroscience and other areas of cellular physiology. As Janelia embarks on new research areas more focused on tissue physiology, the overall group will need to adapt and help advance the mission of 4D Cellular Physiology by generating new sensors and modulators. The Project Scientist will focus on leading teams to develop new screening and analysis capabilities, fostering collaboration, and managing production operations and development staff, while keeping a strong focus on setting and achieving ambitious scientific goals while sharing the results and reagents to the broad scientific community in line with HHMI's Open Science directions.
   
   Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   Manage Project Scientific Efforts and Operations
   Ensure active, productive collaboration with postdocs and researchers within SC member and collaborating labs.Assist in and direct the development of project-associated tools (e.g., data analysis and representation tools) that will be of broad use to collaborators and the research community. This may include individual research contributions, software and algorithm development, as well as software system architecture design.Assure timely, smooth transfer of data and information to project collaborators and users.Manage sharing of data and reagents as outlined in project policies and guided by general academic research norms, including the use of commercial vendors for distribution of research reagents.Actively disseminate scientific outcomes of the GENIE Project in accordance with Janelia scientific standards. This may include publications, presentations, and other forms of data dissemination when appropriate and in line with HHMI's Open Science mission.
   
   Steering Committee (SC) Administration
   Each Janelia team project is guided by a steering committee of Janelia lab heads and visiting scientists who provide high level scientific guidance and whose laboratories all contribute to and use the results of the team efforts. The Project Scientist serves as the bridge between the steering committee and the research operations under their direction.
   
   Plan regular steering committee meetings, gathering input from SC members and organizing and distributing agendas in advance of each meeting, being mindful to keep the SC focused on topics of appropriate level and impact.Document SC meeting discussions, publishing minutes of appropriate detail for future reference.Invite discussion of special topics, involving experts from outside the SC to join meetings as needed.Initiate new proposals and requests for resources as needed.Keep SC members informed about project performance toward goals and milestones, status of performance to budget, and operational challenges encountered.Prepare, communicate, and revise research and production plans, with input from the SC.Initiate, drive, and document SC discussions and approval of project-specific policies and procedures (e.g., collaboration relationships, publication and reagent sharing policies).
   
   Maximize Project Effectiveness by Leveraging Janelia Resources
   Work closely with Janelia Shared Resources and Project Technical Resources to achieve project goals. Efforts can range from staffing early-stage efforts from these groups to utilizing services as an integral part of project operations.Plan, negotiate clear agreements on scope of work, commitment levels, and pricing with internal resource groups.The Project Scientist is responsible for working closely with the Finance group to prepare, communicate, and operate within project budgets.
   
   Directly Manage Project Staff (including Research Technicians, Specialists, Postdocs)
   Recruit the very best staff members, authentically representing the unique opportunities afforded by being part of Janelia research and team projects.Evaluate and decide on appropriate staffing approaches, including use of internal resources, temporary staff, temporary-to-hire positions, contractors, etc. to optimally meet project needs.Effectively manage performance (goal setting, reviewing performance, mentoring) of direct staff, who have a range of career interests and aspirations.Plan staff training, motivation and morale efforts within project resources and scope to ensure employee engagement and productivity.Directly address and handle performance issues, in collaboration with the Janelia People and Culture department.
   
   Communicate Project Outcomes and Future Directions
   Janelia team projects receive periodic input from external sources, including project-focused advisors and the Janelia Advisory Committee. The Project Scientist leads efforts with the SC to produce biennial project proposals, present updates and plans, and interact with advisors.Project team efforts are represented at the annual Janelia Symposium, through scientific talks and posters, and a biennial Janelia Thursday Seminar. Project Scientists are expected to actively participate in presentations to the wider Janelia research community.The Project Scientist plays a key role in coordinating input from SC members and others in the preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication, as well as providing academic access to data and reagents.
   
   Other Duties and Responsibilities
   Collaborate with Janelia Technology Transfer Office as necessary.
   
   Preferred Qualifications:
   Advanced degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field, preferably in the research area of the project under consideration, or equivalent experience.Ph.D. preferred Experience with high-throughput screening.Experience with advanced fluorescent microscopy and spectroscopy Experience with in vivo imaging Knowledge of cellular biology or protein biochemistry/engineering.Three to more than ten years of post-education experience required in academia or industry.Experience in managing the development and operation of large-scale algorithm-intensive software systems may be required for analysis-intensive projects.Experience in successfully organizing, managing, and driving scientifically and technically diverse and challenging projects to completion, on time, and within budget required.Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, required.Demonstrated negotiation skills and abilities.Willingness to work in a team environment, sharing responsibilities, work, and credit with others is essential.Experience working at a range of levels of effort, including lab/bench-level experimentation, operational and strategic planning, and communication of plans and results required.Experience managing technical staff.
   
   Physical Requirements:
   Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
   Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
   
   Please Note:
   This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
   
   Compensation and Benefits
   Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.
   
   HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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5. Post your job

   To find the right project scientist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with project scientists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit project scientists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your project scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit project scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit project scientists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 project scientist

   Once you've decided on a perfect project 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new project 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.)

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