Quality Control Scientist
What this job does:
Tests materials and products to ensure they meet specifications. Runs standardized assays, investigates out of spec results, documents deviations, and supports corrective actions in regulated environments.
This job is similar to these lab/research tasks:
Execute standardized testing procedures; compare results to predefined specifications; investigate out-of-spec findings; maintain audit-ready documentation; ensure data integrity and compliance; communicate quality trends to stakeholders.
Typical starting salary range
$71k to $115k
Salary estimate represented as 25th to 75th percentile. Gathered from recent job postings, Glassdoor.com, and Salary.com
Daily task breakdown
- QC testing and assay execution to release/monitor materials (35%)
- Documentation, data integrity, and LIMS/records review (25%)
- Deviation/Out of Specification (OOS) investigation, root-cause analysis, Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) support (20%)
- Method qualification/validation and equipment support (10%)
- Other: audits/inspection readiness, training, continuous improvement (10%)
Skills you'll use in this job:
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) mindset; executing standardized assays to acceptance criteria; rigorous documentation and data integrity; Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)/Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) familiarity; deviation/OOS investigations and root-cause analysis; CAPA participation; audit/inspection readiness; method qualification and equipment troubleshooting
Talk about these PhD skills in your resume and interview:
Highlight reproducibility, careful record keeping, running controls, validating assays, maintaining instruments, and keeping work audit ready (protocol adherence, version control).
Alternative job titles to search:
QC Scientist; Quality Control Analyst; QC Analytical Scientist; QC Microbiologist; QC Chemist; Quality Assurance/Quality Control Scientist; QC Specialist; QC Associate Scientist; QC Testing Scientist; Quality Systems Scientist
*Note:
-Job titles are inconsistent between companies. Try various keywords.
-PhDs tend to undershoot seniority level. Target higher than you think.
