Senior Research Scientist

Neogen Corporation

. Lead the scientific design and hands-on laboratory development of rapid nucleic acid-based methods for detecting and differentiating foodborne pathogens .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeLansing • Michigan • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting nucleic acid-based assays, with a strong foundation in bioinformatics and molecular biology. Capable of leading complex technical projects and collaborating across functions to develop reliable pathogen detection solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Nucleic Acid-Based Assay DevelopmentBioinformatics and Genomic Data AnalysisLaboratory Experimentation with Foodborne PathogensStatistical Methods in Assay Performance EvaluationTechnical Leadership and Mentoring

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Assay Design and OptimizationPrimer/Probe DesignMultiplex Assay DevelopmentSensitivity and Specificity AnalysisExperimental DesignData InterpretationMolecular Testing TechniquesTroubleshooting Assay PerformanceLaboratory Techniques in MicrobiologyGenomic Target Selection

Soft Skills

Scientific CommunicationCross-Functional CollaborationMentoring and LeadershipProblem-SolvingDecision-Making

Tools & Technologies

NCBI BLASTGeneiousBenchlingCLC Genomics WorkbenchSnapGeneBioNumericsPrimer3OligoAnalyzerMEGAR

Industry Keywords

Foodborne PathogensMolecular BiologyMicrobiologyGenomicsBioinformaticsApplied StatisticsAssay Verification and ValidationAOACISOFDA

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the scientific design and hands-on laboratory development of rapid nucleic acid-based methods for detecting and differentiating foodborne pathogens
Plan and execute laboratory studies, analyze results, troubleshoot assay performance, and guide subsequent development
Use bioinformatics and genomic data to guide molecular assay design and support reliable pathogen detection solutions
Integrate scientific and technical insights into customer needs in collaboration with cross-functional teams
Strengthen internal capabilities in molecular assay development, microbiology, bioinformatics, and applied statistics through technical leadership and mentoring
Design, optimize, and troubleshoot rapid nucleic acid-based assays using relevant amplification technologies
Evaluate assay performance, controls, specificity, sensitivity, robustness, and contamination risks
Plan and perform laboratory studies involving foodborne pathogens and related organisms, including culture preparation, enrichment, inoculation, molecular testing, and result interpretation
Design studies accounting for strain diversity, food matrices, enrichment conditions, and competitive organisms
Apply statistical methods to study design, sampling plans, acceptance criteria, and assay-performance data analysis
Use bioinformatics tools, genomic data, and sequence-analysis approaches for target selection, assay design, and interpretation
Lead and support verification and validation studies, including protocols and evidence packages for applicable AOAC, ISO, MicroVal, USDA-FSIS, FDA, or other pathways
Collaborate with Product Development, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercial teams through feasibility, development, transfer, launch, and continuous improvement
Provide technical leadership, communicate scientific evidence and risk, review technical work, mentor colleagues, and contribute to scientific collaborations and external engagement
Conduct molecular and microbiological experiments, computer-based sequence analysis, genomic target selection, assay design, and data interpretation

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. with at least 3 years of relevant experience
Demonstrated experience designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting nucleic acid-based assays, including primer/probe design, assay controls, multiplex assay development, and interpretation of amplification data
Strong experience using bioinformatics, comparative genomics, and sequence-analysis tools
Experience with tools such as NCBI BLAST, Geneious, Benchling, CLC Genomics Workbench, SnapGene, BioNumerics, Primer3, OligoAnalyzer, MEGA, R, Python, or similar platforms is preferred
Substantial hands-on laboratory experience developing and troubleshooting molecular assays using foodborne pathogens or closely related microbial systems
Experience planning, executing, and interpreting analytical performance studies, including sensitivity, specificity, robustness, repeatability, reproducibility, and limit-of-detection studies
Experience utilizing public and commercial genomic resources such as NCBI GenBank, RefSeq, SRA, GenomeTrakr, EnteroBase, and other microbial genomic databases
Working knowledge of applied statistics and experimental design used in assay development and performance evaluation
Ability to lead complex technical projects, make evidence-based decisions, and translate scientific findings into practical molecular detection solutions
Strong written and verbal scientific communication skills, including technical reports, protocols, presentations, publications, and cross-functional decision support
Ability and interest to remain actively engaged in laboratory work
Employment contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on the first day of employment
401(k) with company match
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Career growth opportunities
Training and professional development support
Collaborative culture
Meaningful work
Up to 5% travel may be required