---
title: 'Scientist, Assay Development & Digital Pathology (AcelaBio) at Alimentiv'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-assay-development-digital-pathology-acelabio-alimentiv-san-diego-wa0477qxyjtv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Scientist, Assay Development & Digital Pathology (AcelaBio) at Alimentiv

- **Company:** Alimentiv
- **Location:** San Diego, CA
- **Compensation:** $150k–$200k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-01-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/alimentiv-2/c64616a2-9baa-4a03-a349-702e7f80da12

## Job description

## About AcelaBio

AcelaBio is a CAP- and CLIA-accredited specialty histopathology laboratory based in San Diego, CA. We deliver anatomic histopathology, immunostaining, digital image analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and biomarker endpoints to pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. Our team is scientifically driven, client-focused, and committed to advancing translational research through rigorous, reproducible methods.

## About the opportunity

This is a high-impact, technically hands-on role at the intersection of immunostaining assay development, quantitative image analysis, and client science. You will build and optimize IHC, multiplex IF, and ISH assays from the ground up, develop and maintain AI-assisted image analysis pipelines, and serve as a scientific lead for sponsor studies across preclinical and clinical programs. You will work directly with pathologists, laboratory technicians, project operations, and business development teams, and will be a visible scientific partner to our pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. If you are someone who thrives on solving complex assay challenges, values scientific rigor, and enjoys translating data into clear, actionable insights for sponsors, this role is built for you. Role Logistics: On-site, San Diego (required). Travel expectations ~ 10%

## Responsibilities

- What you'll be doing:

Assay Development, Image Analysis (Core Focus):

- Design, develop, optimize, and validate immunostaining assays including single-plex IHC, multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), in situ hybridization (ISH), and spatial biology platforms.
- Define analytical endpoints, scoring strategies, and QC metrics aligned with assay performance requirements.
- Develop, validate, and maintain image analysis pipelines using platforms such as Visiopharm, HALO, or equivalent software.
- Build and implement AI/machine learning algorithms for tissue segmentation, cell phenotyping, and biomarker quantification.
- Ensure traceability, reproducibility, and thorough documentation of all analysis workflows.
- Contribute to assay validation documentation, analytical reports, and regulatory-aligned deliverables.
- Partner with histotechnicians to support hands-on assay troubleshooting and knowledge transfer

Scientific Leadership & Client Engagement;

- Serve as a scientific interface for sponsors, participating in protocol reviews, study design discussions, and data review meetings.
- Provide expert guidance on biomarker study design incorporating omics and non-omics endpoints.
- Prepare and review project plans, analysis plans, study reports, abstracts, and technical manuscripts.
- Deliver clear, scientifically rigorous data visualizations, analyses, and summaries tailored to sponsor audiences

Business Development and Innovation:

- Support RFP responses, project pricing, protocol review, and bid defense activities.
- Contribute to the development of sales, marketing, and promotional scientific content.
- Drive continuous improvement of our computational pathology, spatial biology, and translational research service offerings.
- Participate in capability development and functionality reviews to expand the AcelaBio service portfolio.

## Qualifications

- Education and Experience:

- Graduate degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific discipline (pathology, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or related field).
- 7 or more years of hands-on experience in IHC/IF assay development and image analysis in a CRO, biopharma, or regulated research environment.
- Demonstrated experience building image analysis algorithms or pipelines in platforms such as Visiopharm, HALO, or similar.
- Exposure to spatial biology platforms (e.g., 10x Visium, Xenium, Akoya PhenoCycler) is a strong asset.
- Technical Skills & Competencies:
- Deep practical knowledge of chromogenic IHC and multiplex immunofluorescence, including antibody selection, panel design, optimization, and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency in digital pathology image analysis and quantitative biomarker readout strategies.
- Familiarity with AI/ML approaches for histopathology applications.
- Understanding of regulatory and GxP expectations for assay validation documentation.
- Scientific rigor and meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong written and oral English communication skills; comfortable presenting at client meetings and scientific forums.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across laboratory, scientific, and operational functions.

Compensation is dependent on the unique experience, skills, and education the successful candidate brings to the role. The range above represents an estimated base salary that we would expect to compensate at, but we encourage applicants to speak with the member of the TA team if contacted for an initial phone screen should your expectations differ from those listed above.

## About Alimentiv

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Alimentiv is a global, specialized gastrointestinal (GI) contract research organization (CRO) that provides full‑service clinical trials, advanced medical imaging, and precision medicine solutions to accelerate the development of GI therapies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (owned by Alimentiv Health Trust, a profit‑with‑purpose trust)
- **Headquarters**: London, Ontario, Canada
- **Founded**: 1986 (originally as part of Robarts Research Institute; rebranded to Alimentiv in 2020)
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (the organization evolved from academic GI research at Robarts Research Institute)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Pharmaceutical contract research (CRO), specifically gastrointestinal diseases
- **Target customers**: B2B – pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing therapies for GI indications (e.g., IBD, celiac disease, eosinophilic esophagitis)
- **Mission/purpose**: To advance the science of gastrointestinal diseases by designing and executing better, more efficient trials, generating quality data that bring pivotal GI products closer to patients [alimentiv.com](https://alimentiv.com/about-us/)

## Products & Services
Alimentiv offers a comprehensive, end‑to‑end suite of GI‑focused clinical development services:

- **Clinical Trial Services**: Full‑service study management, site selection (5,000+ sites in 60+ countries), medical monitoring, and clinical operations.
- **Medical Imaging Solutions**: Proprietary platforms including Notō and Lucidity™, central reading for endoscopy, MRE/MRI, intestinal ultrasound (IUS), and AI‑powered tools (DovaVision™ UC, PathwaysGI, IAG).
- **Precision Medicine / Biomarkers**: Biomarker analysis, spatial biology, and real‑world evidence services.
- **Histopathology & Laboratory Services**: Delivered via AcelaBio, a wholly owned specialty lab offering histopathology and precision medicine for clinical trials.
- **Statistics & Data Sciences**: Biostatistics, clinical data management, and medical writing.
- **Clinical Pharmacology**: Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic support.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed (privately held by Alimentiv Health Trust)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $75 M (estimated, per LinkedIn) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/alimentiv)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Alimentiv Health Trust (parent); partnerships with academic centers, imaging societies (IBUS), patient advocacy groups (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Beyond Celiac, EUREOS), and industry consortia (STAR, CDISC Platinum Member).
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount of 507 employees (+13.9% YoY, +81 people) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/alimentiv)
  - Trusted for over 70% of IBD compounds in development globally
  - Recent expansion into Australia and Latin America (2024)
  - AI imaging partnerships and new modalities (MRE/MRI, IUS) launched in 2022‑2023

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep GI specialization**: 30+ years of exclusive focus on gastrointestinal diseases, with deep scientific and operational expertise.
- **Proprietary imaging technology**: Advanced central reading platforms (Notō, Lucidity™) and AI‑driven tools that are widely adopted in GI trials.
- **Global site network**: 5,000+ GI‑experienced sites across 60+ countries, enabling seamless multi‑regional studies.
- **Profit‑with‑purpose ownership model**: Alimentiv Health Trust reinvests profits into research, technology, and employee benefits, creating a long‑term, mission‑driven structure.
- **End‑to‑end capabilities**: From clinical management to imaging, biomarkers, histopathology, and statistics – all under one roof.

## Strategic Focus
- **Innovation in GI trial design**: Developing validated endpoints, novel imaging biomarkers, and AI‑powered diagnostics.
- **Expansion of precision medicine**: Growing histopathology and biomarker services (AcelaBio) and spatial biology offerings.
- **Geographic expansion**: Building presence in Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Europe to support global trials.
- **Partnership development**: Deepening collaborations with academic consortia, patient advocacy groups, and technology partners.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as “profit‑with‑purpose” – commercial success is channeled back into scientific research, technology, and employees. Employees can become beneficiaries of the Alimentiv Health Trust.
- **Work environment**: Flexible and remote work options available for many roles; policies include flexible summer hours, a December holiday shutdown, and “working while visiting” programs.
- **Compensation & benefits**: Industry‑benchmarked salaries, performance‑based incentives, retirement/savings plans, comprehensive health/dental/vision, generous paid time off, and parental leave.
- **Engineering & science culture**: Focus on “clinical trial excellence” with opportunities to work on the most important GI studies globally. Teams include data sciences, clinical operations, imaging, and biostatistics.
- **Social & inclusion**: Employee‑led social committee, virtual and in‑person regional events, and a collaborative, inclusive atmosphere.

## Sources
1. [alimentiv.com – About Us](https://alimentiv.com/about-us/)
2. [alimentiv.com – Careers](https://alimentiv.com/careers/)
3. [linkedin.com – Alimentiv Company Page](https://linkedin.com/company/alimentiv)
4. [alimentiv.com – Global Reach](https://www.alimentiv.com/about-us/global-reach/)
5. [jobs.lever.co – Alimentiv Open Roles](https://jobs.lever.co/alimentiv-2)

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