Job Description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Summary

We are seeking a   Senior Associate Scientist for our Manual Ion Channel Testing team at our Safety Assessment site located in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Manual Ion Channel Testing group is responsible for evaluating test article effects on ion channels in vitro. Personnel are responsible for operating and maintaining manual patch clamp electrophysiology workstations. Validated hardware and software systems are used to collect and analyze data under regulated (GLP) or non-regulated conditions. The group prepares, collects and transfers test article formulation samples to the CLE analytical chemistry unit (or other appropriate laboratory) for concentration verification and homogeneity analyses, and is responsible for interpretation and reporting of data outcomes

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (The fundamental Competencies/Skills & Responsibilities of the role (products and services provided/results accomplished) include, but are not limited to, those listed:

• Effectively manage a portfolio of sample analysis projects while ensuring timelines are met in a single operational area with oversight
• Execute review and approval of data with oversight for final scientific/technical decisions within a single operational area
• Develop understanding of compliance expectations to respond to quality assurance audit observations in appropriate software with oversight
• Assist with oversight the completion of laboratory investigations, assay troubleshooting and quality observations
• Assist in problem solving for technical and/or regulatory issues with oversight
• Responsible for writing and preparing study plans/protocols/amendments with minimal oversight
• Participate in Sponsor visits/tours with minimal oversight
• Develop expertise in developing and validating quantitative/qualitative methods/procedures with limited complexity/scope in one operational area with minimal oversight
• Perform data analysis using appropriate software with minimal oversight
• Develop critical thinking, troubleshooting and time management skills aligned with needs of operational areas
• Demonstrate effective communication skills through informal discussions with peers, supervisor, and team
• Function as a liaison, maintaining timely and frequent communication between CRL and Sponsor/Client/SD with minimal oversight
• Ensure scientific integrity of studies with minimal oversight
• Function as a Principal Investigator, Individual Scientist and/or Study Director as assigned with minimal oversight
• Actively communicate and collaborate across operational areas in order to adhere to timelines and produce quality data
• Efficiently perform and document all procedures, materials and results in compliance with applicable regulatory standards as applicable (protocols, methods, SOPs, etc.)
• Write, review and approve deviations with oversight
• Develop knowledge of regulatory and GXP requirements, industry standards and company SOPs within one operational area
• Effectively manage a small portfolio of research projects including assay development and validation while ensuring timelines are met in a single operational area with oversight
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

The pay range for this role is $75-78K. Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location

Job Qualifications

(Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities required to accomplish the essential functions) include but are not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) with 5-7 years of relevant working experience. Master’s degree (MS) with 1-2 years of relevant work experience. Doctorate degree (PhD) with no experience
  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels inside and outside the organization
• Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
• Computer skills, commensurate with Essential Functions, including the ability to learn a validated system
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts, sometimes on short notice
• Ability to work under specific time constraints

About Safety Assessment
Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market.  Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to crrecruitment_US@crl.com. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit

Job Tags

Similar Jobs