Scientific Operations Principal

Scientific Operations Principal - Fremont, California 

This role will support histopathology, translational biomarker research, digital pathology, and customer-facing scientific programs.

Location: Near Fremont, CA
Type: Full-time and permanent
Shift: Days
Requirements: PhD in pathology or a related field; 3+ years of experience in histopathology, translational biomarker research, or closely related tissue-based translational research
Pay: 150k-200k/yr
Benefits: 401k; health, dental, and life insurance; PTO, etc.

Scientific Leadership & Translational Biomarker Support

• Provide scientific leadership across histopathology, translational biomarker, and tissue-based research workflows, including assay development, validation, scientific interpretation, and process optimization.

• Answer scientific questions from internal teams and customers by applying subject-matter expertise, project context, and relevant scientific evidence.

• Conduct targeted literature searches and synthesize published findings to support study design, troubleshooting, scientific recommendations, and customer discussions.

• Collaborate with internal scientific teams and customers to design, plan, and monitor execution of histopathology, biomarker, and tissue-based research programs.

• Interpret study results, integrate scientific literature where relevant, and provide clear scientific recommendations to project teams and customers.

Digital Pathology & Image Analysis

• Apply digital pathology, whole-slide imaging, image-management platforms, and quantitative image-analysis tools to support scientific interpretation and project execution.

• Develop, optimize, or support image-analysis workflows using Visiopharm or comparable digital pathology platforms, as appropriate to project needs.

• Perform or oversee quantitative tissue analysis, biomarker scoring, cell phenotyping, and spatial tissue assessments as required by assigned programs.

• Evaluate emerging digital pathology and AI-assisted image-analysis technologies and recommend appropriate scientific or operational applications.

• Interpret digital pathology and image-analysis results and communicate findings through technical reports, internal reviews, and customer presentations.

• Use image-analysis outputs to support scientific conclusions, project decisions, and technical recommendations.

Scientific Operations & Quality

• Coordinate scientific project execution, priorities, timelines, resource needs, and cross-functional handoffs within the assigned scope.

• Develop, maintain, and improve SOPs, quality systems, operational controls, and scientific best practices that support consistent project delivery.

• Monitor operational and quality metrics and implement improvements that enhance scientific quality, efficiency, consistency, and turnaround.

• Support equipment, vendor, and laboratory infrastructure needs when required, while maintaining scientific and technical responsibilities as the primary focus of the role.

• Support compliance with applicable CAP, CLIA, GLP, or other regulated laboratory requirements, as relevant to the function.

Team Leadership & Project Coordination

• Provide scientific leadership, coaching, and technical direction to small cross-functional teams and team leads supporting assigned projects or programs.

• Set priorities, clarify expectations, facilitate scientific decision-making, and support effective workload and resource coordination across the team.

• Lead through subject-matter expertise, influence, and project coordination; formal performance reviews are not part of the current role scope.

• Support hiring, onboarding, technical development, and team effectiveness as needed. As the role evolves, responsibilities may expand to include ownership of team schedules and budgets.

Client Scientific & Technical Support

• Serve as a primary scientific and technical resource for customers, collaborators, and internal stakeholders.

• Participate actively in customer project discussions, study design, technical scoping, and project-planning conversations.

• Answer customer scientific questions, explain study approaches and findings, and present scientific recommendations and project updates clearly.

• Provide scientific and technical support as a primary responsibility, including troubleshooting, literature-based guidance, and project-specific scientific consultation.

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in histopathology, translational biomarker research, or closely related tissue-based translational research.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct scientific literature searches, critically evaluate published evidence, and translate findings into practical scientific recommendations.

• Strong knowledge of tissue-based assays, pathology techniques, biomarker analysis, and scientific interpretation of histopathology data.

• Demonstrated experience leading scientific projects or small cross-functional teams through technical guidance, influence, and project coordination.

• Excellent scientific communication, project-management, and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to participate effectively in customer-facing scientific discussions and technical support.

Preferred

• Experience with digital pathology, whole-slide imaging, image analysis, Visiopharm, or comparable platforms.

• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, CRO, or translational research environments.

• Expertise in immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), multiplex imaging, or spatial biology.

• Experience evaluating or implementing AI/ML-assisted image-analysis solutions.

• Familiarity with CAP, CLIA, GLP, or other regulated laboratory environments.

• Experience supporting proposal development, study design, or other customer-facing scientific activities.

Apply Today!

Ready to take the next step in your career? We'd love to hear from you!

Contact Megan to get started:

• Call or Text: 617-746-2768
• Email: 

  Megan@ka-recruiting.com

• Schedule a Call: calendly.com/megankarecruiting

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