About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA (Cancer Diagnostics).

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

The Confidential Client is seeking an Associate R&D Research Scientist (contract, part-time) to support development of NGS‑based multi‑cancer early detection solutions. You will perform hands-on bench work under direction of experienced scientists and contribute to assay verification, data generation, and R&D activities that move concepts into the product development pipeline.

• Participate in assay verification and validation studies for new product versions
• Conduct bench-level experiments and generate reproducible data
• Record, analyze, and report experimental results; maintain complete lab notebooks per legal, ISO, and QSR requirements
• Operate scientific instrumentation and notify team of issues
• Apply established methods and technologies; suggest experimental improvements when appropriate
• Communicate results and project status to supervisors and project leaders
• Work collaboratively on project assignments to meet objectives and timelines
• Follow BSL-2 biosafety procedures and applicable PPE requirements
• Travel between organization locations (~5% travel); work nights/weekends as needed

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Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemical/Physical/Biological Science, or a related field
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow documented procedures

Preferred

• Related internship and 1+ years of relevant laboratory experience
• Experience with NGS workflows, assay validation, or clinical diagnostic environments

Physical / other requirements

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• Ability to perform repetitive actions and use lab tools (pipettes, microscopes, blades, microtomes)
• Ability to use near vision for close-range sample work and perform computer/mobile device typing ~50% of the day
• Manual dexterity: grasp, pinch, turn, and reach above shoulder height

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Logistics & Compensation

• Location: La Jolla, CA (on-site / local travel as required)
• Employment type: Contractor — Part time
• Pay range: $37.85 — $42.85 per hour
• Typical travel: up to ~5% (may include overnight/weekend)
• Work environment: BSL-2 lab; following biosafety and quality system policies
• This listing is for Confidential Client in the Scientific & QA (Cancer Diagnostics) industry

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Benefits

Benefits may vary by employment status and location. Typical offerings include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Paid sick leave where required by law
• Employee assistance programs, wellness resources, and professional development opportunities

Disclaimer: Benefits eligibility and details depend on employment status, length of service, and local law. Confidential Client reserves the right to modify benefit plans in accordance with applicable laws.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.