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Senior Research Scientist at Neogen in Lansing, MI
Skills
Job Description
It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they are doing!
This role combines molecular assay development, bioinformatics, genomics, and pathogen microbiology and applied statistics to create practical nucleic acid-based solutions for foodborne pathogen detection. The Senior Research Scientist will provide hands-on scientific and laboratory leadership, guiding work from genomic target identification and primer and probe design through assay optimization and analytical performance evaluation. This individual will also provide the technical data and expertise needed to support verification, validation, product transfer, and commercialization in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Senior Research Scientist
Molecular Assay Development & Bioinformatics
LANSING, MI Location
DAY SHIFT Schedule
ON-SITE Work style
FULL-TIME Employment
Shape the next generation of rapid pathogen detection.
This role combines molecular assay development, bioinformatics, genomics, and pathogen microbiology and applied statistics to create practical nucleic acid-based solutions for foodborne pathogen detection.
The Senior Research Scientist will provide hands-on scientific and laboratory leadership, guiding work from genomic target identification and primer and probe design through assay optimization and analytical performance evaluation. This individual will also provide the technical data and expertise needed to support verification, validation, product transfer, and commercialization in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
ABOUT NEOGEN At Neogen, how we work matters as much as what we accomplish. Our Neogen DNA is reflected in the way we support customers and one another: cultivating belonging, inspiring and innovating, acting with integrity, delivering on our promises, and fostering optimism.
Role Impact
Lead the scientific design and hands-on laboratory development of rapid nucleic acid-based methods for detecting and differentiating foodborne pathogens.
Plan and execute laboratory studies, analyze results, troubleshoot assay performance, and use experimental findings to guide subsequent development.
Use bioinformatics and genomic data to guide molecular assay design and support the development of reliable pathogen detection solutions.
Integrate scientific and technical insights into customer needs to support the development of reliable and practical product solutions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Strengthen internal capabilities in molecular assay development, microbiological, bioinformatics, and applied statistics capability through technical leadership and mentoring.
What You’ll Do
Molecular assay design and development:
Design, optimize, and troubleshoot rapid nucleic acid-based assays for foodborne pathogen detection using relevant amplification technologies. Evaluate assay performance, controls, specificity, sensitivity, robustness, and contamination risks.
Pathogen microbiology and laboratory execution: Plan and perform laboratory studies with foodborne pathogens and related organisms, including culture preparation, enrichment, inoculation, molecular testing, and interpretation of results. Design studies that account for strain diversity, food matrices, and enrichment conditions, and competitive organisms when evaluating assay performance.
Biostatistics and experimental design: Apply appropriate statistical methods to study design, sampling plans, acceptance criteria, and analysis of assay performance data.
Bioinformatics and genomics: Use bioinformatics tools, genomic data, and sequence-analysis approaches to support target selection, assay design, and interpretation of factors that may
influences assay performance.
Verification and validation: As part of a cross-functional team, translate product requirements and claims into protocols and evidence packages. Lead internal and support external studies supporting fit-for-purpose performance and, where applicable, AOAC, ISO, MicroVal, USDA-FSIS, FDA, or other relevant pathways.
Product realization: Collaborate with Product Development, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercial teams to advance concepts through feasibility, development, transfer, launch, and continuous improvement.
Scientific leadership: Provide technical leadership, communicate scientific evidence and risk clearly, review technical work, mentor colleagues, and contribute to scientific collaborations and external engagement.
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience; Master’s degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. with at least 3 years of relevant experience. An advanced degree is preferred.
Demonstrated experience designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting nucleic acid-based assays, including primer/probe design, assay controls, multiplex assay development, and interpretation of amplification data.
Strong experience using bioinformatics, comparative genomics, and sequence-analysis tools to support molecular assay development . Experience with tools such as NCBI BLAST, Geneious, Benchling, CLC Genomics Workbench, SnapGene, BioNumerics, Primer3, OligoAnalyzer, MEGA, R, Python, or similar platforms is preferred.
Substantial hands-on laboratory experience developing and troubleshooting molecular assays using foodborne pathogens or closely related microbial systems, with the ability and interest to remain actively engaged in laboratory work.
Experience planning, executing, and interpreting analytical performance studies, including sensitivity, specificity, robustness, repeatability, reproducibility, and limit-of-detection studies. Experience utilizing public and commercial genomic resources such as NCBI GenBank, RefSeq, SRA, GenomeTrakr, EnteroBase, and other microbial genomic databases.
Working knowledge of applied statistics and experimental design used in assay development and performance evaluation. Ability to lead complex technical projects, make evidence-based decisions, and translate scientific findings into practical molecular detection solutions.
Strong written and verbal scientific communication skills, including technical reports, protocols, presentations, publications, and cross-functional decision support.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing molecular detection assays for food safety, environmental, clinical, veterinary, or diagnostic applications.
Experience advancing molecular assay concepts through feasibility, development, verification, validation, product transfer, and commercialization.
Experience with sequencing technologies and genomic data, including next-generation sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, or related applications.
Familiarity with recognized validation frameworks and standards, including AOAC, ISO 16140, MicroVal, USDA-FSIS, FDA BAM, or similar programs.
Experience working within regulated product development environments involving Quality Systems, Design Controls, Risk Management, Verification, and Validation.
Working knowledge of statistical methods used for assay development and validation, including experimental design, method comparison, probability-of-detection analysis, and interpretation of assay performance data.
A record of scientific publications, patents, conference presentations, external collaborations, or recognized technical leadership in molecular diagnostics, microbial genomics, or pathogen detection.
Core Technical Capabilities
Capability
Examples of Relevant Expertise
Molecular detection
qPCR, RT-qPCR, LAMP, NEAR, other isothermal amplification, emerging rapid nucleic acid detection
Assay and oligonucleotide design
Target selection, primer/probe design, controls, multiplexing, analytical specificity, contamination mitigation
Bioinformatics
Sequence alignment, genomic database mining, comparative genomics, conserved-target identification, inclusivity/exclusivity assessment, primer/probe selection, in-silico screening
Microbiology
Foodborne pathogens, strain selection, culture and enrichment, matrix effects, competitive flora, biosafety practices
Biostatistics
Experimental design, sample-size rationale, method comparison, probability of detection, precision, uncertainty, assay-performance interpretation
How You’ll Succeed
Use genomic evidence and practical assay-design principles to select targets and oligonucleotides that support broad inclusivity and strong exclusivity.
Make molecular, genomic, microbiological, and statistical evidence understandable to partners with different technical backgrounds.
Anticipate assay risks early and use data to guide efficient decisions, priorities, and tradeoffs.
Balance scientific rigor with customer workflow, manufacturability, cost, quality, and project timing.
Build capability in others through coaching, technical review, clear standards, and collaborative problem solving.
What the Work Is Like
This is a highly hands-on technical leadership role with a significant laboratory component. The scientist will spend substantial time designing, conducting, and troubleshooting molecular and microbiological experiments, in addition to performing computer-based sequence analysis, genomic target selection, assay design, and data interpretation. The position involves work in microbiology and molecular laboratories, use of standard personal protective equipment, handling of biological materials within approved containment practices, and collaboration with internal teams and external study partners. Travel may be required for partner studies, technical meetings, or scientific events.
The Details
LOCATION Lansing, Michigan
SCHEDULE Monday – Friday, Day Shift, Full Time
WORK ARRANGEMENT On-site
TRAVEL Up to 5%
Why Neogen
At Neogen we believe that taking care of our employees allows them to do their best work. When you join our team, you'll enjoy competitive benefits and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
Benefits include:
- Benefits starting on Day One – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begin on your first day of employment.
- 401(k) with company match – Invest in your future with retirement savings and company contributions.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) – Enjoy generous paid time off so you can rest, recharge, and spend time with those who matter most.
- Career Growth Opportunities – We are committed to promoting from within and providing the tools, training, and support to help you grow your career.
- Meaningful Work – Be part of a team whose work has a real impact on our customers, communities, and the world around us.
- Collaborative Culture – Join a team that values innovation, respect, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Interested? We’d Like to Hear From You.
If this role sounds like a place where your skills and experience could make an impact, we encourage you to apply. You may have experience that does not fit neatly into every line of a job description. What matters most is whether you can successfully perform the core responsibilities of the role and are interested in contributing to the work ahead.
Equal Opportunity & Accommodation
Neogen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States.
Come build your future with us while making a difference every day.
#Applynow
Come Be Part Of A Mission that Matters!
From inside the farm gate to our dinner plates, Neogen protects the world’s food supply. Through a variety of animal healthcare products, to food safety solutions for dangerous bacteria, allergens, toxins, drug residues and much more, Neogen is there — and you can be too.