Job Description:
JOB OBJECTIVE: This is a uniquely structured role, designed as a two-phase scientific career opportunity at Promega. In Phase 1 (1–2 years), you will be embedded full-time within the Clinical/Diagnostic Assay Development team, contributing hands-on scientific support to an active and growing area of R&D. In Phase 2 (following Phase 1 and beyond), you will transition into the R&D Flex Group as a full-time Flex Scientist, where you will be deployed across a broad range of R&D initiatives based on organizational need and scientific fit.
During Phase 1, you will develop deep familiarity with Promega's systems, methods, and culture while making meaningful contributions to real project work. The contextual knowledge, cross-functional relationships, and scientific breadth you build in Phase 1 will set you up for success as an effective Flex Scientist in Phase 2.
We are looking for someone whose strengths are defined less by a specific technical background than by who they are as scientists and colleagues: curious, adaptable, rigorous, and genuinely motivated by collaborative work in a dynamic environment.
PHASE 1: CLINICAL/DIAGNOSTIC ASSAY DEVELOPMENT (1–2 YEARS)
In Phase 1, you will work as a full member of the Clinical/Diagnostic Assay Development team, supervised day-to-day by that team's leader. Your primary responsibilities will include:
1. Contribute directly to clinical and diagnostic assay development projects, including experimental design, hands-on bench work, data analysis, troubleshooting, and documentation.
2. Learn and apply the specific technologies, methods, and workflows used in clinical/diagnostic R&D, building technical depth through immersion and mentorship.
3. Collaborate with team members and project leads to advance active project goals, meet milestones, and maintain scientific rigor under defined timelines.
4. Communicate results clearly through reports, presentations, and lab records appropriate to both scientific and cross-functional audiences.
5. Explore and integrate AI tools and digital workflows where applicable to improve efficiency and research depth.
6. Build relationships across the broader R&D organization that will support your transition and effectiveness in Phase 2.
PHASE 2: R&D FLEX GROUP (FOLLOWING PHASE 1 AND BEYOND)
In Phase 2, you will transition to the R&D Flex Group. The Flex Group is a uniquely agile team of scientists who bring high learning agility, deep curiosity, and scientific rigor to a diverse range of R&D initiatives across the organization. As a research scientist in the Flex Group, you will:
1. Be deployed to high-priority R&D projects across Promega based on collaborative fit, emerging organizational need, and your growing breadth of skills and experience.
2. Contribute hands-on experimental support to a wide variety of project types, disciplines, and teams, often working in contexts that will require rapid knowledge acquisition.
3. Collaborate with a wide variety of scientific colleagues across R&D, contributing to both short- and long-term research goals.
4. Continue to develop your scientific range by engaging with new methods, technologies, and disciplines through self-directed learning, mentorship, and structured cross-training.
5. Meet regularly with your Flex Group supervisor to set individual growth goals and identify development opportunities aligned with both your interests and organizational needs.
6. Contribute to the culture and effectiveness of the Flex Group itself, modeling the curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative spirit that define the team.
CORE DUTIES (BOTH PHASES):
Across both phases of this role, you will be expected to:
1. Engage regularly in hands-on laboratory work, applying scientific rigor to experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
2. Learn new technologies and methods across diverse scientific disciplines through immersion in projects, self-driven study, mentorship, and structured cross-training within R&D.
3. Explore and incorporate emerging tools, including AI, to enhance experimental workflows, improve data interpretation, and increase research depth and efficiency.
4. Communicate clearly and respectfully with collaborators across teams, adjusting style and approach based on audience and context.
5. Prepare well-organized, accurate technical reports, presentations, and data summaries suitable for a range of audiences.
6. Foster strong, trust-based relationships across R&D and with other departments by approaching collaborations with curiosity, humility, and a service-oriented mindset.
7. Contribute to a psychologically safe and inclusive work environment by modeling empathy, accountability, and openness to feedback.
8. Embrace and incorporate Promega's 6 Emotional & Social Intelligence (ESI) core principles in daily work.
9. Understand and comply with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements applicable to our business.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
1. S., M.S., or Ph.D. in a life sciences or related scientific discipline; relevant industry or academic research experience is valued at all degree levels.
2. Demonstrated learning agility: the initiative to independently seek out information, acquire new skills, and rapidly understand diverse scientific concepts, laboratory techniques, and technologies.
3. Genuine enthusiasm for hands-on bench science and the intellectual rigor of experimental work; this role requires active, sustained wet lab engagement.
4. Proven collaborative mindset with a desire to work in diverse, cross-functional teams and contribute to shared goals.
5. Strong interpersonal skills: the ability to build trust, communicate openly, and work effectively across a range of personalities, backgrounds, and working styles.
6. Comfort with ambiguity, ability to adapt to shifting priorities, and enthusiasm for supporting a wide variety of scientific projects.
7. Demonstrated interest in leveraging digital tools and AI technologies to augment scientific work, with the ability to critically assess their utility and apply them thoughtfully.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Prior experience or coursework related to clinical, diagnostic, or applied assay development.
2. Prior experience working across multiple scientific disciplines or functional groups, especially in fast-paced or dynamic research environments.
3. Recognized proficiency in multiple scientific techniques or technologies, with a track record of scientific excellence and rigor.
4. Experience working in a matrixed or cross-functional team environment where priorities shift and collaboration across reporting lines is the norm.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
1. Ability to work at lab bench or fume hood for extended periods of time.
2. Ability to wear protection gear (gloves, lab coat, safety glasses, etc.).
3. Ability to operate a computer.
At Promega, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive workplace. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
