Entry Level Lead Scientist Jobs
New grad lead scientist jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a focused portfolio can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Technology & Software, with employers like UPMC, Smarsh, and OSF HealthCare hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Entry Level Lead Scientist jobs











The Lead MLS role is eligible for a $15,000 sign-on bonus!
Purpose:
This position assists the Laboratory Supervisor by monitoring the work of technical and ancillary employees. The Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist assists in test development, gathering data for management reports and regularly performs the duties of a Medical Lab Scientist, including the accurate performance of routine and advanced testing. This position functions as the Laboratory Supervisor during the Supervisor's absence. Assures compliance with the UPMC mission and values for providing service excellence.
Responsibilities:
- ACT AS A SUPERVISOR DESIGNATE. Assumes supervisory duties and performs `in charge duties as needed. Evaluates problems in the absence of the Supervisor and solves those that are possible. Communicates problems with the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director as appropriate. Participates in an extensive administrative call rotation with the other supervisory staff (only for Tissue Typing Laboratory).
- COMPETENCY. Assists supervisory personnel in the observation and documentation of laboratory staff competency. Completes all assigned duties within the required time frame.
- OPERATIONS. All duties of a Medical Technologist. Ensures that instrument maintenance and/or function checks are performed and documented accurately, according to procedure. Troubleshoots instrument malfunctions and informs the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director of problems. Reviews QC logs. Documents and brings to the attention of the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director any errors, omissions or discrepancies in QC. Compiles QA data and prepares reports as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director. Monitors proficiency testing activity and assists the Director with evaluation of results and documentation of responses to deficiencies. Assists the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager with staff scheduling as directed.
- SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL. Maintains confidentiality regarding patient, hospital and laboratory business. Interacts professionally with other departments. Represents the Laboratory on Hospital committees as needed. Adheres to abnormal and/or critical results reporting policy and turn-around-time policy. Participates in and monitors quality assurance indicators. Adheres to personal appearance standards and displays hospital ID badge. Telephone / Internet privileges are followed according to policy. Complies with attendance and tardiness policy. Helps to monitor subordinate attendance and tardiness. Adheres to the compliance policy and serves as a resource for subordinate questions. Adheres to all safety policies as outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual.
- PURCHASING AND INVENTORY. Demonstrates awareness of appropriate inventory levels in all relevant sections of the laboratory. Takes action to prevent supply shortages or overages. Performs purchasing of supplies in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager as directed.
- TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. New procedures are mastered within established time frames. Demonstrates awareness of changes in procedures and protocols. Performs orientation and training assignments in an organized, thorough manner. Serves as a resource to other employees by sharing knowledge of procedures or testing outcomes when consulted. Develops, performs and/or evaluates special projects. Performs test evaluations and validations of new procedures and/or reagent systems. Formulates, authors and/or revises procedures according to CLSI guidelines. Prepares and delivers student lectures and bench instruction where relevant
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university AND successful completion of an accredited Medical Lab Scientist program
- OR Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory science AND ASCP or equivalent categorical or MLT certification
-
OR Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological, chemical, physical, or clinical laboratory science AND at least three years' experience in a role equivalent to that of a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) in a clinical laboratory.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
ASCP or equivalent certification in medical technology (MT) or categorical certification preferred. Certification as a Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) by the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI) preferred (only for HLA Laboratory).
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
See All 7 Entry Level Lead Scientist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Lead Scientist Job Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Entry Level Lead Scientist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level lead scientist job?
Entry level lead scientist roles reward candidates who can show hands-on lab work, whether from coursework, internships, or undergraduate research. Employers at this stage look for familiarity with core scientific methods, attention to data integrity, and clear written communication. Tailoring your resume to highlight specific techniques or instruments you have used, and including any published work or capstone projects, gives you a concrete edge over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire entry level lead scientists?
Companies hiring entry level lead scientists right now include UPMC, Smarsh, and OSF HealthCare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this experience level, hiring tends to come from research-driven organizations, biotech and life sciences firms, and government-affiliated labs that run structured entry programs for new graduates.
Are there remote entry level lead scientist jobs?
Yes, though most lab-based roles require an on-site presence. About 100% of entry level lead scientist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and these positions typically involve data analysis, scientific writing, regulatory support, or computational research rather than bench work. Candidates with strong digital and analytical skills are best positioned for these remote openings.
Are these new grad lead scientist jobs?
Yes, many of these postings are new grad and junior roles that explicitly welcome recent graduates with little or no professional experience. A new grad-friendly listing typically accepts zero to two years of experience, counts internships or co-op rotations toward qualifications, and treats a strong academic portfolio as a substitute for a long work history. Look for language like 'entry level,' 'new graduate welcome,' or 'will train' in the posting.
Which industries hire the most entry level lead scientists?
Entry Level lead scientist roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they run continuous research pipelines that depend on early-career scientists to support experimental work, data collection, and product development under senior supervision.