Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
Scientist jobs in North Carolina are consistently active across pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, environmental science, and academic research, with openings ranging from entry-level lab technician roles through senior research scientist positions. The Research Triangle area, Charlotte, and Wilmington are the strongest hiring metros, anchored by large employers like RTI International, GlaxoSmithKline, and the University of North Carolina Health Care system. Analytical chemistry, environmental compliance science, and clinical research are among the most in-demand specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
***This position is eligible for the Clinical Laboratory Incentive Program.***
Summary:
This hybrid posting recruits for either a Medical Laboratory Scientist I or Medical Laboratory Scientist II, depending on candidate qualifications and experience. Seeking a motivated individual to join and contribute to Special Chemistry Laboratory. This department performs specialized high complexity testing that includes toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring and protein electrophoresis that helps in the diagnosis and treatment for organ transplant and multiple myeloma patients.
Responsibilities:
- Performs waived/point of care, moderate, and high complexity CLIA testing as appropriate to role and demonstrated competency.
- Investigates and resolves problems with equipment, test results, specimens, and/or workflow.
- Performs quality control, proficiency testing, and monitors the accuracy and precision of laboratory testing.
- Prepares reagents and assists in the preparation of standard and control materials.
- Monitors reagent inventory and assists with maintaining laboratory supplies.
- Reviews test results to ensure accuracy of reporting and timely correction of errors.
- Reports laboratory results and consults/confers with healthcare providers as needed.
- Participates on teams and/or performs special projects or assignments.
- Participates in the education and training of new employees and other learners, as appropriate to role.
- Serves as a technical resource and works under direction or independently based on experience level.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Other Information
Qualifications – Medical Laboratory Scientist I
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science, or Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science, or Associate’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technology
Experience:
- No prior professional laboratory experience required
Qualifications – Medical Laboratory Scientist II
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science, or Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science, or Associate’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technology
Licensure/Certification:
- Associate’s Degree holders: MLT (ASCP) or MLT (AMT) required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science: ASCP categorical certification in specialty area required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science: MT/MLS (ASCP) or MT/MLS (AMT) required
Experience:
- Associate’s Degree with MLT certification: Two (2) years of experience required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science with categorical certification: Two (2) years of experience required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science with MT/MLS certification: No experience required
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: Core Laboratory
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
MLS I: Salary Range: $24.98 - $35.91 per hour (Hiring Range)
MLS II: Salary Range: $26.85 - $38.61 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Night Job
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
***This position is eligible for the Clinical Laboratory Incentive Program.***
Summary:
This hybrid posting recruits for either a Medical Laboratory Scientist I or Medical Laboratory Scientist II, depending on candidate qualifications and experience. Seeking a motivated individual to join and contribute to Special Chemistry Laboratory. This department performs specialized high complexity testing that includes toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring and protein electrophoresis that helps in the diagnosis and treatment for organ transplant and multiple myeloma patients.
Responsibilities:
- Performs waived/point of care, moderate, and high complexity CLIA testing as appropriate to role and demonstrated competency.
- Investigates and resolves problems with equipment, test results, specimens, and/or workflow.
- Performs quality control, proficiency testing, and monitors the accuracy and precision of laboratory testing.
- Prepares reagents and assists in the preparation of standard and control materials.
- Monitors reagent inventory and assists with maintaining laboratory supplies.
- Reviews test results to ensure accuracy of reporting and timely correction of errors.
- Reports laboratory results and consults/confers with healthcare providers as needed.
- Participates on teams and/or performs special projects or assignments.
- Participates in the education and training of new employees and other learners, as appropriate to role.
- Serves as a technical resource and works under direction or independently based on experience level.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Other Information
Qualifications – Medical Laboratory Scientist I
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science, or Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science, or Associate’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technology
Experience:
- No prior professional laboratory experience required
Qualifications – Medical Laboratory Scientist II
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science, or Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science, or Associate’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technology
Licensure/Certification:
- Associate’s Degree holders: MLT (ASCP) or MLT (AMT) required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science: ASCP categorical certification in specialty area required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science: MT/MLS (ASCP) or MT/MLS (AMT) required
Experience:
- Associate’s Degree with MLT certification: Two (2) years of experience required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Biological Science with categorical certification: Two (2) years of experience required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science with MT/MLS certification: No experience required
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: Core Laboratory
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
MLS I: Salary Range: $24.98 - $35.91 per hour (Hiring Range)
MLS II: Salary Range: $26.85 - $38.61 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Night Job
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
See All 86 Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Scientist JobsScientist Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Scientist Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in scientist jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in biology, chemistry, or a closely related science field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with techniques relevant to the position's specialty area
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice standards and regulatory compliance documentation
- Proficiency in data analysis software such as R, Python, or SAS for research applications
- Strong written communication skills for preparing technical reports and scientific publications
- Experience collaborating across cross-functional teams in a research or clinical environment
Scientist Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a scientist in North Carolina?
Most scientist roles in North Carolina require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a natural science such as chemistry, biology, or environmental science, though research positions at pharmaceutical and biotech firms often require a master's or doctoral degree. North Carolina does not impose a state-issued license for the general scientist title, but roles in environmental science may require registration through the North Carolina Board of Licensed Soil Scientists, and clinical lab scientists must meet federal CLIA certification standards recognized in the state.
Which companies hire scientists in North Carolina?
Employers hiring scientists in North Carolina right now include Duke Health, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and UNC Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's Research Triangle Park concentration of pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract research organizations makes it one of the more employer-dense science markets in the Southeast.
Which North Carolina cities have the most scientist jobs?
The cities with the most scientist openings in North Carolina are Durham, Greenville, and Raleigh. The Research Triangle area, encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, dominates the distribution because of its dense cluster of pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and major research universities, while Charlotte draws demand from environmental and analytical science roles tied to its manufacturing and energy sectors.
Are there remote scientist jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. About 36% of scientist openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that most science work requires physical access to laboratories, field sites, or clinical settings. The roles most likely to offer remote arrangements are data-focused positions in bioinformatics, regulatory affairs, or scientific writing, where lab access is not a daily requirement.
How can I get hired as a scientist in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an undergraduate research assistantship or a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at institutions like UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, or NC State, which regularly place early-career candidates into funded research roles. Large North Carolina employers such as RTI International and contract research organizations in Research Triangle Park hire research associates and junior analysts who transition from lab technician or quality control associate roles. Completing relevant coursework in GLP compliance or earning a certification from the American Chemical Society strengthens a candidate's profile considerably.
Where can I find and apply to scientist jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to scientist jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 86 Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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