Research Assistant

Job Title:

Research Assistant Job Description Join our dynamic team in the Metabolism department, focusing on Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics. As part of the ADME In vitro Screening team, you'll delve into the fascinating world of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, where you'll explore what the body does to a drug or compound. This role offers a blend of chemistry lab work and biological theory, involving extensive in-vitro work with test tubes to derive meaningful data and identify trends in biological samples. Responsibilities Work with various biological samples such as plasma, blood, urine, and feces from both animal and human sources. Receive cross-training in both biology and chemistry aspects of the business, starting with your area of expertise. Focus on mammalian cell culture, maintaining and growing cell lines for assays. Perform cell counting, sterile techniques, seeding cells onto assay plates, and harvesting plates. Run extractions and support the in-life team with basic wet chemistry techniques including pipetting, using plate readers, liquid handlers, and centrifuges. Conduct stability, protein binding, and enzyme inhibition assays. Operate Mass Spectrometry and LC-MS equipment, handle radio reader compounds, and conduct extractions and sample running. Participate in animal study simulations using cell lines, blood, or plasma, handling studies from initiation to completion. Engage in a fast-paced environment with variable day-to-day activities, including data analysis and test execution. Essential Skills B.S. degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related Life Science field with 2-3 years of experience, or a Master's degree with 0-1 year of experience. Strong background in biology, biochemistry, cell culture, and cell biology. Proficiency in aseptic and sterile techniques. Experience with wet chemistry, pipetting, and handling biological samples. Competence in using PCR, LC-MS, mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography. Additional Skills & Qualifications Industry or academic experience in related fields. Experience in mammalian cell culture, cloning, plasmid transfections, and qPCR techniques. Familiarity with Hamilton robotics, UV vis plate readers, cell counters, and liquid handlers. Previous experience running stability, protein binding, and enzyme inhibition assays is advantageous. Work Environment This position is set in a busy lab environment within the Metabolism In-vitro team. The work involves close collaboration with the in-life team, with a forecast horizon of 6-8 weeks, emphasizing the need for a flexible and contingent workforce to manage peak workloads. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $33.79 - $33.79/hr. 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 onsite position in Madison,WI.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Apr 25, 2026. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: Hiring diverse talent Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.