Characterization Scientist

This is a fully onsite role based at our customer’s site in Collegeville, PA. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Relocation assistance is not provided; candidates are responsible for their own relocation costs. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and able to pass a comprehensive background check, including a drug screening.

About the role

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life—enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while advancing science through research, development, and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in over 100 countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research, our work spans laboratory, digital, and decentralized clinical trial services.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex laboratory activities, including method development and sample analysis on a variety of instrumentation for characterization of material and bulk properties. Work may also involve investigations into process and product failures.
• Review analytical test results.
• Document lab work and author reports in accordance with internal SOPs and guidelines.
• Problem-solving, either independently or with assistance, pertaining to extraction and/or instrumentation problems.
• Execute assignments accurately and in a timely and safe manner.
• Proactively communicate findings and status of work assignments to project leader.
• Identify and begin to interpret any problems in the execution of experimental processes and/or in results and communicate them to the project leader.
• Proactively engage and seek assistance from other scientists to solve problems.
• Maintain cleanliness in own work area and in communal work areas.
• Anticipate/recognize potential problems with equipment and/or supplies, and propose/initiate action to solve or prevent problems.
• Operate equipment for which they are trained independently with due regard for GMP and Safety.
• Consult with supervisor when difficulties arise that cannot be readily resolved.
• Prepare oral or written summaries of results with interpretation for project work.
• Follow safe Laboratory Practices.
• Recognize potential safety problems and take action to rectify them.

Requirements

• Scientist: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2+ years) or an MS degree in a related scientific field. In some cases, an equivalency consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient.
• Familiarity with or knowledge of various characterization techniques, including but not limited to X-Ray Powder Diffraction, particle size analysis using laser diffraction, optical microscopy, rheology, and thermal analysis methods.
• Prior experience in analyzing the relationship between material structure and properties, as well as expertise in materials characterization.
• Competence and experience in proper handling, recording, and analysis of scientific experimental data.
• Understanding of the basic principles, concepts, and methodology governing the work performed.
• Experience in characterization of suspension-based products and pharmaceutical powder is preferred.
• Ability to perform literature searches independently and understand scientific literature directly related to experiments.
• Ability to learn and apply new experimental techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word to perform tasks.
• Proven problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability in technical writing.
• Time management and project management skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative work environment with a team.
• Immunoassay experience and experience with Watson LIMS are preferred.

Schedule

Standard (Monday–Friday)

Benefits

When you join Thermo Fisher Scientific, you become part of a global team that values passion, innovation, and a commitment to scientific excellence. You’ll work in an environment where collaboration and development are part of the everyday experience—and where your contributions truly make a difference.