Beacon Jobs Radar: Late-July 2026
- Sirena Meade
- Jul 22
- 8 min read
Cleveland + Columbus Life Sciences Opportunities
For this edition of the Beacon Jobs Radar, I reviewed current openings across Cleveland and Columbus and broke down who each position may be best suited for.
All roles were cross-checked against the employer’s official careers website (where available) and were active as of July 22, 2026. Because openings can close quickly, apply early and confirm availability through the linked employer page.
CLEVELAND
Shared Laboratory Resource Specialist I - Gnotobiotics/Hajjar Lab - Cleveland Clinic
This position supports research using germ-free and gnotobiotic animal models to study the microbiome, immunity and disease.
The work may include maintaining specialized research environments, supporting experimental procedures, coordinating animal-model activities and helping investigators carry out complex microbiome studies.
BEST FOR:
• Research technicians with animal-model experience
• Professionals with backgrounds in microbiology, immunology or preclinical research
• Candidates comfortable working in highly controlled laboratory environments
• Scientists interested in microbiome research and shared-core operations
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Gnotobiotic research requires specialized facilities and expertise, making this a more unusual laboratory opportunity than a general research technician position.
Apply:
Shared Laboratory Resource Specialist I – Pre-Clinical Tumor Core - Cleveland Clinic
This role supports researchers conducting preclinical oncology studies using tumor models.
Responsibilities may include monitoring tumor growth, administering experimental treatments, collecting research data and helping maintain consistent study procedures across multiple projects.
BEST FOR:
• Research technicians with in vivo or animal-handling experience
• Candidates with oncology, pharmacology or drug-development exposure
• Laboratory professionals interested in preclinical therapeutic testing
• Scientists who enjoy supporting multiple investigators through a shared research resource
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
A tumor core provides direct exposure to the preclinical stage of cancer-drug development; the point where potential therapies begin moving beyond cell culture and into complex biological models.
Apply:
Research Veterinary Technician II - Cleveland Clinic
This position supports veterinary care and technical procedures for animals used in biomedical research.
The role may involve assisting with surgeries, administering treatments, monitoring animal health, maintaining documentation and supporting investigators conducting regulated preclinical studies.
BEST FOR:
• Veterinary technicians interested in biomedical research
• Animal-care professionals seeking work outside a traditional veterinary clinic
• Research technicians with surgical or procedural animal-model experience
• Candidates comfortable balancing animal welfare, scientific protocols and regulatory requirements
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Research veterinary technicians play a critical role in both animal welfare and scientific quality. Strong technical care directly affects the reliability of preclinical research.
Apply:
Research Student II, Post-Baccalaureate – Matsuoka Lab - Cleveland Clinic
This post-baccalaureate opportunity supports research into the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in central nervous system and vascular development.
It offers recent graduates an opportunity to gain deeper laboratory experience before applying to graduate school, medical school or another research-focused program.
BEST FOR:
• Recent biology, neuroscience, molecular biology or biomedical science graduates
• Students seeking research experience before graduate or professional school
• Early-career candidates interested in developmental biology or neurovascular research
• Applicants who want stronger experimental and scientific-writing experience
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Post-baccalaureate research roles can provide a valuable bridge between undergraduate coursework and the independent research expectations of graduate or medical training.
Apply:
Research Assistant 3 - Neuroscience - Case Western Reserve University - Job ID 14484
This position will manage general lab functions and perform experiments in a neuroscience lab studying neural circuit development, function, and associated behaviors.
Senior Research Assistant - Molecular Biology and Microbiology - Case Western Reserve University - Job ID 14629
This position will carry out basic and preclinical research that endeavors to further delineate virus and host mechanisms that could be exploited to purge persistent reservoirs of HIV in people with HIV (PWH) on lifelong antiretroviral therapy, according to specific instructions.
Associate Director - Inventory Controls and Logistics - Abeona Therapeutics
In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring that our cutting-edge health care solutions meet the highest quality standards. Collaborate with talented individuals dedicated to transforming lives through innovative therapies. https://abeonatherapeutics.isolvedhire.com/jobs/
Associate Manager - Quality Assurance, Quality Operations - Abeona Therapeutics
This position oversees the maintenance of the quality systems in support of a cGMP Operation for production processes relating to batch record review and release from start to end of manufacturing activities. https://abeonatherapeutics.isolvedhire.com/jobs/
Senior Project Manager - Thermo Fisher Scientific
Lead complex pharmaceutical and life sciences projects, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver customer programs from initiation through completion.
BEST SUITED FOR: Scientists or life sciences professionals with experience in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, CRO/CDMO operations, or technical project management who enjoy leading teams and driving projects rather than working exclusively at the bench.
Director, Operations - Thermo Fisher Scientific
Lead manufacturing and operational excellence within a GMP-regulated life sciences manufacturing facility, overseeing production, quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
BEST SUITED FOR: Experienced manufacturing, bioprocessing, or operations leaders with backgrounds in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or life sciences environments.
COLUMBUS
Research Scientist – Medical Oncology - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This computational research role focuses on cancer genomics, transcriptomics, biomarker discovery and multi-omics data analysis.
The scientist may help analyze large biological datasets, identify molecular patterns associated with cancer and collaborate with laboratory and clinical investigators to translate findings into new research directions.
BEST FOR:
• Bioinformaticians and computational biologists
• Scientists with experience analyzing genomic or transcriptomic datasets
• Researchers familiar with R, Python, sequencing data or statistical modeling
• PhD-level candidates interested in precision oncology and biomarker discovery
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
This position sits at the intersection of genomic data, cancer biology and clinical translation—an increasingly important combination in precision medicine.
Apply:
Research Scientist – Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This role supports translational research involving cancer biology, tumor immunity, metabolism and responses to immunotherapy.
The position likely requires designing and leading experiments, analyzing complex results, contributing to publications and helping move discoveries toward potential therapeutic applications.
BEST FOR:
• PhD-trained cancer biologists or immunologists
• Scientists with experience in tumor models, cell signaling or immunotherapy
• Researchers comfortable independently designing experiments
• Candidates seeking a translational environment that connects laboratory findings with therapeutic development
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Rather than examining cancer biology in isolation, this work appears to investigate how tumor biology, metabolism and the immune system interact to influence treatment response.
Apply:
Researcher 3 – Neurology - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This position supports advanced neuroimmunology research and serves as a technical resource for complex laboratory investigations.
The successful candidate may conduct experiments, optimize methods, analyze results, train junior staff and help troubleshoot challenging research workflows.
BEST FOR:
• Experienced research technicians or scientists
• Candidates with neuroscience, immunology or molecular biology backgrounds
• Laboratory professionals ready to take on greater technical ownership
• Researchers who enjoy method development, troubleshooting and mentoring
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
The Researcher 3 level may appeal to experienced bench scientists who want more independence and responsibility without necessarily moving into a faculty-track position.
Apply:
Research Senior Technician – Comprehensive Cancer Center - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This role performs molecular and cellular research techniques that may include PCR, cell culture, electrophoresis, sample processing and experimental documentation.
It offers an opportunity to contribute directly to cancer research while building broad technical experience in a large, multidisciplinary research environment.
BEST FOR:
• Research technicians with several years of bench experience
• Candidates skilled in molecular biology and mammalian cell culture
• Professionals interested in oncology research
• Early-career scientists seeking stronger technical breadth before graduate school or an industry transition
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Comprehensive cancer centers often provide exposure to multiple research disciplines, technologies and collaborators. That experience can transfer well into biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D.
Apply:
Research Technician 3 – Immunology and Rheumatology - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This position supports laboratory research related to immune function, inflammation and rheumatic disease.
The work may involve processing biological samples, conducting molecular or cellular assays, maintaining laboratory records and assisting with ongoing research projects.
BEST FOR:
• Laboratory professionals with immunology or cell-biology experience
• Research technicians familiar with human samples or immune assays
• Candidates interested in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Scientists seeking translational research experience within an academic medical center
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Immunology experience is relevant across a wide range of biotechnology areas, including cell therapy, autoimmune disease, oncology, diagnostics and drug development.
Apply:
Clinical Research Assistant 1 – Ohio State Genomic Health - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This part-time hybrid role supports Ohio State’s population genomics initiative, which aims to enroll approximately 100,000 participants.
Responsibilities may include participant recruitment, informed-consent support, study documentation, data entry and coordination of clinical research activities.
BEST FOR:
• Recent graduates interested in genomics or clinical research
• Candidates considering careers in genetic counseling, research coordination or public health
• Professionals with strong communication and organizational skills
• Individuals seeking an entry point into large-scale population health research
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
This is a rare early-career opportunity to gain experience in population genomics; an area that combines research, healthcare delivery, participant engagement and large-scale biological data collection.
Apply:
Sterility Assurance Supervisor - Andelyn Biosciences
This role supports sterility assurance and contamination-control activities within a cell and gene therapy manufacturing environment.
The supervisor may oversee environmental monitoring, aseptic practices, investigations, documentation and employee training while helping ensure that manufacturing operations remain compliant and inspection-ready.
BEST FOR:
• Microbiologists working in pharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing
• Professionals with environmental-monitoring or aseptic-processing experience
• Quality-control specialists ready to move into supervision
• Candidates familiar with cleanrooms, contamination control and GMP documentation
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
Sterility assurance is one of the most critical—and specialized—functions in biologics manufacturing. Experience in this area can translate across gene therapy, cell therapy, vaccines and sterile pharmaceutical production.
Apply through Andelyn’s official careers page:
Head of Quality - Andelyn Biosciences
This senior leadership position oversees quality strategy and operations within a cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization.
The role may include responsibility for quality systems, compliance, audits, regulatory inspections, batch disposition, investigations and collaboration with manufacturing and client teams.
BEST FOR:
• Senior quality leaders from biologics, gene therapy or sterile manufacturing• Professionals with extensive GMP and regulatory inspection experience
• Quality directors prepared to lead teams and shape organizational strategy
• Candidates who understand both technical operations and client-facing CDMO relationships
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
This is not simply a quality-management position. It is an opportunity to influence how a regional gene therapy manufacturer builds, scales and maintains its overall quality culture.
Apply through Andelyn’s official careers page:
Research Associate - bioWorld
This position will handle several product lines in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein purification.
Operations Planner - Forge Biologics
An uncommon entry point for professionals interested in the operational systems required to keep a CDMO running efficiently.
Deputy Program Manager – Life Science Research - Battelle
Support the planning, execution and coordination of life science research programs, working across multidisciplinary teams to help deliver complex scientific projects for government and commercial clients.
BEST SUITED FOR: Scientists or research professionals with project management experience who want to transition from primarily bench science into research leadership, operations or program management.
A FEW THEMES FROM THIS MONTH’S RADAR:
Cleveland’s verified openings currently lean heavily toward specialized research-core and preclinical laboratory operations.
Columbus offers a broader mix of computational biology, cancer research, immunology, population genomics and biomanufacturing quality.
Several openings could serve as important entry points for recent graduates who need meaningful research experience before pursuing graduate school or an industry role.
Experienced professionals should pay particular attention to Andelyn’s quality and sterility-assurance positions, which require specialized expertise that is difficult to find.
Know of another active biotechnology, medtech, diagnostics, genomics or biomanufacturing opening in Ohio? Add it below or send it to The Biotech Beacon for inclusion in the next Jobs Radar.
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