Scientist Senior Associate

A client of Innova Solutions is immediately hiring for the Scientist Senior Associate.

Position type: Full-time- Contract

Duration: 6 Months

Location: Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 (ONSITE)

As Scientist Senior Associate, you will:

Job Description:

This senior role balances advanced laboratory execution (cell culture, reagent generation and characterization) with technical leadership of process development, laboratory automation, and digital transformation.

Responsibilities include:
• Create and characterize adherent and suspension assay cell lines and develop high-quality assay-ready (ready-to-plate) cell banks for cell-based potency assay methods in Process Development (PD) and Quality Control (QC), with a primary focus on adherent mammalian cell lines.
• Support mammalian cell culture work end-to-end for assay cell bank generation (planning, media preparation, expansion, harvest, cryopreservation, and documentation).
• Lead process development and automation projects that increase throughput, reduce variability, and strengthen data integrity for assay cell bank and reagent workflows.
• Evaluate, pilot and integrate laboratory automation (e.g., liquid handlers, tube handlers, etc.); develop vendor assessments and implementation plans.
• Author, revise and own SOPs and protocols to enable robust processes and successful transfer to operations.
• Manage and improve digital inventory workflows; integrate process data to support forecasting and replenishment triggers.
• Perform and support advanced reagent work: antibody/protein purification and conjugation.
• Translate research and experimental results into concise technical recommendations and present to cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to staff; act as a subject matter expert for GCR operations.
• Perform inventory management tasks, global shipping, reagent sub-aliquoting, and documentation in accordance with applicable SOPs.
• Operate lab and automation equipment, including centrifuges, HPLC systems, incubators, freezers, LN? dewars, vial fillers, labelers, and cappers.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality and data integrity expectations.

Basic Qualifications
• Master's degree (cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry or similar) and ? 2 years industry experience in cell culture/process development/reagent generation; OR Bachelor's degree and ? 4 years relevant industry experience demonstrating increasing responsibility.
• Strong hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture with a primary focus on adherent cell lines; experience with suspension as needed; creation/characterization of cell banks.
• Strong aseptic technique and experience working in a sterile environment (BSL-2 biosafety cabinets), including routine contamination control.
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement and laboratory automation projects from pilot through implementation/transfer.
• Proficiency with digital lab documentation and data tools (ELN, advanced Excel; data visualization tools such as Spotfire, Tableau).

Preferred Qualifications
• Upstream cell culture processing and cell bank manufacturing experience (preferably assay cell banks with a primary focus on adherent mammalian cell lines; suspension as needed).
• Experience working in a GxP-regulated environment.
• Hands-on experience with reagent development, including antibody/protein purification and conjugation techniques.
• Practical experience with laboratory automation hardware and software, and knowledge of automation validation/transfer practices.
• Experience with digital inventory systems and familiarity with SharePoint and Smartsheet.
• Demonstrated competence with data visualization/analytics tools to analyze and present data (e.g., Spotfire, Tableau, Power BI).
• Prior experience authoring SOPs and supporting Quality in regulated environments.
• Experience mentoring staff and leading technical teams or multi-disciplinary project efforts.
• Practical use of AI tools, including GenAI.

Qualified candidates should APPLY NOW for immediate consideration! Please hit APPLY to provide the required information, and we will be back in touch as soon as possible.

We are currently interviewing to fill this and other similar positions. If this role is not a fit for you, we do offer a referral bonus program for referrals that we successfully place with our clients, subject to program guidelines. ASK ME HOW.

Thank you!

Lailun Sheikh

Phone: 412-763-1477

[email protected]

PAY RANGE AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range*: $35.00-$44.00 per hour.

*Pay range offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors, including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc.

Benefits: Innova Solutions offers benefits( based on eligibility) that include the following: Medical & pharmacy coverage, Dental/vision insurance, 401(k), Health saving account (HSA) and Flexible spending account (FSA), Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Short term and Long term Disability, Accident & Critical illness coverage, Pre-paid legal & ID theft protection, Sick time, and other types of paid leaves (as required by law), Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

ABOUT INNOVA SOLUTIONS: Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Innova Solutions employs approximately 50,000 professionals worldwide and reports an annual revenue approaching $3 Billion. Through our global delivery centers across North America, Asia, and Europe, we deliver strategic technology and business transformation solutions to our clients, enabling them to operate as leaders within their fields.

Recent Recognitions:

• Named One of America's Best Employers for New Grads by Forbes (2024

• Named One of the Best Companies to Work For by U.S. News & World Report (Private Companies List, 2024-2025)

• One of the Largest IT Staffing Firms in the US - Ranked #3 by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA, 2024)

• One of the Largest Staffing Firms in the US - Ranked #13 by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA, 2024; includes Innova Solutions, Volt, & HireGenics)

• Named One of the Top Ten Private Companies in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle (2023)

• One of the Largest Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) in the United States (NMSDC, 2024)

• AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner with 100+ certifications

Website:

Innova Solutions offers a referral bonus for qualified Ambassadors who refer eligible referrals. Submit referrals at and earn $250-$1,000 per referral.

Innova Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits any kind of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Innova Solutions is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by the statutes, rules, and regulations in the locations where it operates. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us at [email protected] or (770) 493-5588. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Innova Solutions encourages all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. Innova Solutions (HireGenics/Volt) does not discriminate against applicants based on citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1324b.

The company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner that complies with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.