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Principal Scientist

MESO SCALE DIAGNOSTICS, LLC.
Gaithersburg, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 4/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/16/2026
Position Summary

This position is responsible for developing, planning, and executing research and product development projects for various disciplines within the clinical and life sciences fields. The incumbent will be responsible for designing and executing experiments and analyzing data to further product development and research goals. This position assists in identifying and implementing departmental initiatives and strategies. This position will supervise the work of others directly and/or across interdisciplinary teams.

Duties And Responsibilities

  • Develops, designs, and executes complex experiments to support research, feasibility, and product development and qualification efforts.
  • Provides input to the management team to identify, develop, and execute departmental initiatives and strategies.
  • Leads technical team(s) to accomplish project goals and manages/coordinates work of other team members.
  • Prepares/oversees preparation of experimental procedures, maintains laboratory notebooks and prepares procedures, batch/test records to support product development and research efforts.
  • Provides oversight and/or analyzes data using appropriate software, including statistical analyses, and prepares tables/graphs to highlight findings.
  • Presents findings/analyses and any associated issues/solutions to peer groups and managers; makes recommendations for project advancement.
  • Troubleshoots and optimizes experiments; communicates issues and solutions to managers.
  • Performs literature and market research on new research or product areas and makes recommendations to management team on potential new ideas/trends to pursue.
  • Procures reagents and equipment needed to perform experiments.
  • Establishes and monitors direct report performance and development goals, assigns accountabilities, sets objectives, establishes priorities, and provides continuous feedback and recognition on performance.
  • Works with management team to identify and develop high performers within the department/business unit.
  • Prepares and/or oversees preparation of invention disclosures, patent applications, grant proposals, posters and papers.
  • Leads cross-functional initiatives with other business units on projects/products or associated deliverables.
  • Understands, follows and enforces laboratory safety precautions to ensure compliance with company safety policies.
  • Specific duties may vary depending upon departmental requirements.


Experience And Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Engineering or related field.
  • Minimum of 8 years hands-on laboratory experience. Two years of supervisory/management experience.
  • Minimum of 4 years of immunoassay development experience in an industrial environment required.
  • A strong publication record is desired.
  • Experience in analyzing complex datasets required.


Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

  • Superior scientific fundamentals and analytical background.
  • Training and experience with BSL-2 techniques.
  • Expert problem solving skills and demonstrated ability to organize and move project tasks forward in an orderly and structured fashion.
  • Strong analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to gather and evaluate complex data and information and develop a recommendation and plan of action.
  • Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills required, with the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity while meeting time-sensitive deadlines and deliverables.
  • Solid leadership skills with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of staff management practices and processes. Ability to establish accountabilities and expectations and manage performance to achieve results.
  • Demonstrated propensity to be creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated in the execution and completion of assigned tasks.
  • Exceptional communication (written and verbal) skills regardless of the format (e.g., documents, public speaking situations, presentations, etc.).
  • Attention to detail with demonstrated commitment to excellence and performance.
  • Proven proficiency with Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Expertise in GraphPad Prism, MS Excel and SharePoint required.
  • Advanced knowledge in Statistics required.
  • Excellent knowledge of MSD’s technology and processes. Good understanding of competing technologies.


Physical Demands

  • While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to sit and stand for long periods. The individual is occasionally required to walk; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms.


Compensation Summary

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $131,600. to $205,700. This salary range represents a general guideline as MSD considers other factors when presenting an offer of employment, such as scope and responsibilities of the position, external market factors, and the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, education and experience. Employees may qualify for a discretionary or non-discretionary bonus in addition to their base salary. These annual bonuses are intended to recognize individual performance and enable employees to benefit from the Company's overall success.

Benefits Summary

At MSD, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and financial security. In addition to competitive salaries, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with prescription benefits. We provide a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts, and company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance as well as group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Our offerings also encompass paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid parental leave, along with an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary perks include a fitness club membership contribution, pet insurance, identity theft protection, home and auto insurance discounts, and optional supplemental life insurance.

EEO/AA STATEMENT

MSD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, protected veteran status, pregnancy, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. For our full EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit here.

Meso Scale Diagnostics uses E-Verify to validate the work eligibility of candidates.

Salary : $131,600 - $205,700

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