Scientist III, Biologics SME

Job Title: Scientist III, Biologics Subject Matter Expert Job Description We are seeking a mid-career scientific professional with expertise in biologics, microbiology, and compendial laboratory testing. This role involves serving as a subject matter expert responsible for translating, reviewing, and validating USP procedures for digital deployment. The successful candidate will transform complex laboratory procedures into structured, executable workflows and collaborate with scientific content, quality, informatics, and product teams to support vendor-neutral laboratory software environments. Responsibilities Serve as a scientific SME for USP General Chapters , , , and , interpreting compendial procedures for digital implementation. Create, review, and validate structured method content for scientific accuracy, procedural completeness, calculations, acceptance criteria, materials, equipment, and alignment with source documentation. Apply laboratory SOP and workflow expertise to ensure procedures reflect practical execution in regulated laboratory and manufacturing environments. Perform scientific quality review, identify interpretation risks or discrepancies, and recommend improvements to content development and review processes. Collaborate with laboratory informatics and product teams to support workflow design, metadata capture, and implementation across LIMS, ELN, LES, and related systems. Support alignment with laboratory data standards, machine-readable content models, and structured data principles. Essential Skills Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred. 5+ years of experience in biologics, microbiology, compendial testing, analytical development, quality control, or regulated laboratory environments. Demonstrated expertise with USP General Chapters , , , and , including interpretation and application of compendial methods. 3+ years of experience authoring, reviewing, revising, or approving laboratory SOPs, test methods, work instructions, or related controlled documentation. Working knowledge of laboratory quality systems, data integrity requirements, laboratory workflows, and analytical instrumentation. Experience using laboratory information systems such as LIMS, ELN, LES, CDS, or similar platforms. Ability to translate laboratory procedures into structured, digitally executable workflows while maintaining scientific accuracy and compliance. Strong scientific writing, review, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Additional Skills & Qualifications Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related field. Experience in microbiological testing, biologics development, cell-based assays, protein characterization, or sterile manufacturing environments. Experience supporting laboratory digitization, workflow automation, or scientific content transformation initiatives. Development expertise with structured data formats, data standards, metadata management. Familiarity with FAIR data principles, laboratory informatics frameworks. Experience applying data science, analytics, or data visualization techniques to laboratory, quality, or analytical datasets. Familiarity with AI and machine learning applications for scientific content management, laboratory operations, workflow automation, or knowledge extraction. Working knowledge of Python, SQL, Power BI. Work Environment The position offers remote working opportunities with a preference for candidates located in the DMV area. The role operates on East Coast hours, providing flexibility while ensuring collaboration with teams. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Rockville, MD. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $52.11 - $74.25/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.