Senior Scientist (Laboratory Automation)

Location: Hybrid; primary location in Rahway, New Jersey, USA. This opportunity is for residents of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Salary: $117,000–$184,200 annual base salary for the primary location; annual bonus and long-term incentive may also apply.

Company

hirify.global develops medicines and operates pharmaceutical research and development programs across small molecules, biologics, and vaccines.

What you will do

• Integrate laboratory instruments, equipment platforms, automation systems, and data systems into end-to-end digital workflows.
• Develop automation solutions combining robotics, instrumentation, equipment, and software for connected laboratories.
• Translate experimental research needs into scalable digital workflows supporting chemistry, manufacturing, and controls activities.
• Lead digital and data-rich technology projects from concept through deployment across cross-functional teams.
• Improve existing automation platforms for performance, usability, and reliability.
• Provide hands-on support, troubleshooting, and training to scientists using laboratory technologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computer Science, Data Science, Material Science, or a closely related field; expected graduation must be no later than December 2026.
• M.S. in one of the listed or closely related fields with at least 2 years of relevant experience, or B.S. with at least 4 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R, with comfort using Jupyter, Posit/RStudio, or VS Code.
• Experience with ETL/ELT processes and building data pipelines in a scientific or pharmaceutical context.
• Familiarity with Git/GitHub and collaborative software development practices.
• Understanding of biopharmaceutical process research and development, drug product development, and/or analytical development.
• Strong communication, creativity, interpersonal skills, and the ability to deliver complex solutions under compressed timelines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams, including with automation, data science, modeling, IT, knowledge capture, and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls specialists.
• Demonstrated scientific ability through publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Nice to have

• Knowledge representation, reasoning, semantic modeling, ontology design, FAIR principles, data and metadata standards, and scientific data management.
• Experience with life-science data standards such as Allotrope and CDISC, or comparable frameworks.
• Experience integrating heterogeneous scientific data sources and resolving differences in terminology, structure, and quality.
• Ability to model concepts, entities, relationships, and rules in machine-readable form.
• Familiarity with Allotrope Simple Model, ISA-88, OPC-UA, or comparable ontology frameworks and standardized data models, including mapping instrument data to structured schemas.
• Understanding of data science and AI/ML concepts applied to data contextualization and experience with digital integration of analytical instrumentation.
• Experience researching, developing, and deploying new digital and data-rich methodologies.
• Wet-lab experience in biopharmaceutical drug substance, drug product, or analytical research and development.
• Motivation to learn new skills, take on challenges, and apply scientific curiosity.

Culture & Benefits

• Regular employee position with hybrid work arrangements and no required travel.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, insurance coverage, retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate leave, and sick days.
• Work in a cross-functional, entrepreneurial environment focused on collaborative problem solving, inclusion, and scientific innovation.
• Visa sponsorship is not available; domestic relocation is indicated.