Senior Scientist

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life‑changing technologies spans diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. With 122,000 colleagues serving people in more than 160 countries, Abbott offers career development, free medical coverage, an excellent retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, and a workplace recognized worldwide for diversity and inclusion.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Madison location in the Cancer Diagnostics Division. The Sr. Scientist, with input from senior scientists and leaders, collaborates on one or more complex projects, often serving as the technical lead responsible for successful execution. The role involves independent observation, data analysis, result interpretation, and determination of methods and procedures for new assignments. The Sr. Scientist will mentor junior scientists and support the research and late‑stage development of NGS‑based methods to improve clinical diagnostic test access, quality, and performance for patients with cancer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct bench‑level experiments across multiple product or technology areas, identify problems and discrepancies.
• Independently develop, plan, and analyze bench‑level experiments; present findings at data, group, and project team meetings.
• Analyze research data, interpret results, and provide insights for next steps and project direction.
• Develop methods and procedures for new assignments, studies, and experiments.
• Provide technical guidance to junior scientists on project teams.
• Operate scientific instrumentation and notify appropriate personnel of any problems.
• Determine, utilize, and apply methods or technologies; propose new techniques when appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of industry developments that could aid assignments or new processes.
• Provide technical input and participate in decisions affecting project planning and experimental design.
• Prepare information and data for scientific abstracts, conferences, project meetings, and publications.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio by implementing innovative ideas.
• Generate, document, and communicate development plans for critical project aspects.
• Develop research plans and experimental outlines; write protocols and perform laboratory experiments.
• Prepare detailed technical procedures, protocols, and reports.
• Evaluate the impact of nonconforming data on a product or process; identify and address trends in study data.
• Prepare and approve written reports; lead identification of areas for process improvement.
• Maintain a lab notebook in a clear, complete, and consistent manner, following all legal, ISO, and QSR requirements.
• Prepare reports and documentation providing highly technical analysis or summarization of experimental results, outcomes, next steps, and future direction for functional leaders and project teams.
• Present experimental results and defend scientific ideas at meetings; lead meetings as a subject matter expert.
• Work on problems of extremely complex scope, evaluating intangible variables.
• Exercise independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for solutions.
• Collaborate on individual assignments and with project team members to meet department and project objectives.
• Act as the technical leader for one or more complex projects and serve as a subject matter expert in core and cross‑functional meetings.
• Promote an open, collaborative environment built on trust to foster positive teamwork.
• Plan and recommend activities that prioritize organizational and department goals.
• Train, guide, and mentor research associates and junior‑level scientists.
• Organize, present, and convey complex problems or issues.
• Communicate clearly and frequently with all organizational levels, including team members, functional managers, clinical lab personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Create high‑quality presentations that effectively communicate project status or experimental results.
• Apply strengths in complex analyses and present data and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Apply qualitative and analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effectively manage several varied projects simultaneously with frequently changing priorities.
• Demonstrate excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Apply technical expertise, scientific creativity, collaboration, and independent thought to provide insights and defend scientific ideas.
• Apply experimental knowledge to new problems; make predictions based on deep understanding of fundamental inputs.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Lift up to 20 lb for approximately 5 % of a typical working day.
• Work on a mobile device, tablet, or computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 50 % of a typical working day.
• Use both hands for grasping, pinching, turning, and reaching above shoulder height.
• Comply with applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
• Use various laboratory equipment (microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, pipettes) for extended periods.
• Perform repetitive actions using laboratory tools.
• Use near vision to view samples at close range.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens, moving‑part instruments, lasers, heating/freezing elements, and high‑speed centrifugation.
• Travel between local Exact Sciences locations as needed.
• Travel up to 10 % of working time away from the primary location, which may include overnight and weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Life Sciences, Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemical, Physical, Biological Science, or a related field; or
• Master’s degree in a related field plus 4 years of related experience in lieu of a PhD; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 6 years of related experience in lieu of a PhD.
• 5+ years of industry or academic experience in biology and/or chemistry.
• 3+ years of experience in the medical device/IVD, biotech, life sciences, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated ability to apply molecular biology and/or biochemical techniques.
• Understanding of GMP, ISO, and Quality Systems.
• Technical expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or next‑generation sequencing (NGS) and genomics.
• Basic working knowledge of product/assay research, design, or development.
• Working knowledge of statistical and mathematical methods in biology/genetics; experience with statistical software such as JMP.
• Proficient computer skills, including internet navigation, email, and word processing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry or academic research experience in Life Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in the medical device/IVD, biotech, life sciences, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing environment, preferably in a GMP and/or ISO setting.
• Experience with genomic databases and related software.
• Previous experience in a molecular diagnostics or clinical laboratory setting.
• Deep understanding of NGS practices and principles, including hands‑on development, optimization, and troubleshooting of NGS‑based workflows for DNA and RNA from clinical samples.
• Extensive experience interpreting and analyzing NGS data using external and in‑house computational methods to support method development and characterization of genomic and epigenomic cancer biomarkers.
• Experience with product development for LDT‑ or FDA‑regulated environments, including designing analytical validation studies, ideally in medical device development.

Benefits

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Eligibility for free medical coverage in the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• Excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student‑debt program, and FreeU education benefit for obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
• Recognition as a great place to work in dozens of countries and named one of the most admired companies by Fortune.
• Recognition as one of the best large companies for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.