Staff Scientist - Method Lead (Small Molecule)

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. As a Staff Scientist, you will provide expert-level technical leadership within the laboratory as a senior scientific contributor and recognized technical authority. This role delivers oversight for non-routine programs (analytical development, validation, transfer) and/or serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for specific analytical technologies while maintaining an active laboratory presence.

You will operate as a well-established non-routine technical lead for method establishment work, grounded in laboratory execution, technical decision-making, and scientific oversight. This role partners closely with laboratory leadership to ensure scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and the long-term sustainability of technical capabilities and processes. You will provide technical leadership and mentorship to laboratory staff, guiding execution across multiple client programs.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical oversight for complex, non-routine analytical testing (analytical development, validation, and transfer), method establishment, and technology-driven programs.
• Serves as a senior technical authority and SME for one or more analytical technologies, platforms, or scientific disciplines.
• Guides scientific decision-making to ensure appropriate experimental design, execution strategy, and data interpretation.
• Reviews and/or approves technical documents including methods, protocols, reports, and quality records to ensure quality and compliance.
• Designs, executes, and/or oversees complex laboratory experiments, development, transfer, and validation activities.
• Maintains sufficient hands-on laboratory engagement to ensure technical credibility and executional alignment.
• Supports resolution of complex technical issues, atypical results, and escalated investigations through direct scientific involvement.
• Contributes to quality management by conducting in-depth data analysis and root cause analysis to identify issues and support continuous improvement.
• May function as a well-established non-routine technical lead for multiple non-routine or method establishment programs, providing guidance and oversight to Senior Scientist and other technical leads.
• May alternatively serve as a technology SME, advancing scientific capabilities, optimizing methods, and defining best practices for assigned platforms.
• Guides and mentors Senior Scientist and staff, developing advanced technical skills, critical thinking, and scientific judgment.
• Supports identification and development of high-potential technical talent in collaboration with laboratory leadership.
• Reinforces a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with laboratory leadership, Quality, and Program Managers to align technical execution with program objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Participates in client interactions as a senior technical representative, supporting discussions related to methods, data interpretation, and technical strategy.
• Provides technical and regulatory recommendations to internal teams and clients as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic/vocational qualification with 8+ years of experience; OR PhD with 4+ years of experience; OR MS degree with 7+ years of experience.
• Expert knowledge of analytical testing techniques, laboratory instrumentation, and method execution in a regulated environment, with the ability to provide technical oversight across multiple methods, programs, or technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and oversee complex testing, investigations, and non-routine laboratory activities, including method establishment and advanced problem resolution.
• Advanced troubleshooting, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, with a proven ability to identify systemic root causes and implement sustainable technical solutions.
• Proven ability to develop, maintain, and apply deep subject matter expertise in one or more analytical methods, assays, platforms, or technologies, and to leverage that expertise across programs.
• Strong data analysis capabilities, including trend evaluation, outlier detection, and interpretation of complex or atypical data sets to inform scientific and quality decisions.
• Demonstrated commitment to data integrity, quality, and scientific rigor, with advanced understanding of GMP requirements and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to guide scientific and technical decision-making to ensure appropriate experimental design, execution strategy, and compliance.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to balance multiple complex technical responsibilities and shifting priorities while maintaining focus and productivity.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and technically develop Senior Scientist and junior staff, strengthening scientific judgment, troubleshooting capability, and technical depth through hands-on guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including authorship and review of complex technical documents and the ability to clearly communicate scientific concepts to internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across laboratory, quality, and project teams, influencing outcomes through technical expertise rather than formal authority.
• Demonstrated experience identifying and constructively resolving technical or professional conflicts in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality with client information, data, and proprietary methodologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerBI, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and familiarity with laboratory data systems and software supporting analytical testing.
• Demonstrated openness to feedback and continuous improvement, with the ability to apply lessons learned to enhance technical performance and laboratory capability.

Work Environment

• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary and/or standing for typical working hours.
• Able to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds.
• Able to work in non-traditional work environments, including adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety standards, and laboratory settings.
• Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs, etc.).
• Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• May have exposure to potentially hazardous elements, including infectious agents, typically found in healthcare or laboratory environments.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.

Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Location

Fully onsite in Middleton, Wisconsin.