Job Title: Chemist II – Liquid Chromatography

Job Description

This Chemist II position on the Liquid Chromatography (LC) team plays a key role in delivering accurate, efficient, and timely analytical services. You will operate advanced LC and LC-MS/LC-MS/MS systems, perform complex sample preparation and extraction, and contribute to method development, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. The role combines hands-on bench chemistry, data analysis, and mentoring responsibilities in a fast-paced analytical laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain Liquid Chromatography (LC) instrumentation, including systems equipped with conventional detectors, MS, MS/MS, and HR-MS/MS (Orbitrap or TOF) detectors.
• Perform solid phase extraction (SPE) and other sample preparation techniques to support LC and LC-MS/LC-MS/MS analyses.
• Conduct extractions and sample analyses in accordance with documented methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality standards.
• Analyze and interpret chromatographic and mass spectrometric data using software such as Sciex OS, Analyst, Multiquant, Tracefinder, Chromeleon, or equivalent platforms.
• Troubleshoot analytical procedures and methods, identifying and resolving issues related to sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and mass spectrometric detection.
• Perform routine and preventative maintenance, verification, and calibration of LC and mass spectrometry instrumentation to ensure reliable performance.
• Compile, review, and evaluate QA/QC data to support ISO 17025 compliance and maintain high analytical quality standards.
• Participate in analytical method development and optimization, including SPE and LC/LC-MS method refinement for new and existing assays.
• Routinely screen, quantify, and report large-scale pesticide panels, including panels with more than 100 compounds per sample.
• Propose process improvements and contribute to stabilizing and enhancing analytical workflows and laboratory efficiency.
• Mentor and support junior chemists, providing guidance on analytical techniques, instrumentation, and adherence to SOPs.
• Contribute to the creation, review, and updating of SOPs and related documentation to reflect best practices and process changes.
• Collaborate effectively with team members and cross-functional groups to meet project timelines and client expectations.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a high-throughput environment while maintaining accuracy and data integrity.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field from a four-year college or university.
• At least 1+ year of analytical chemistry experience, preferably in a high-throughput commercial laboratory setting.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting Liquid Chromatography (LC) instrumentation, including LC-MS and LC-MS/MS systems.
• Proficiency in Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) techniques, including method development and optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and compile data packages for both small and large datasets.
• Strong working knowledge of analytical software such as Analyst, Sciex OS, Multiquant, Tracefinder, Chromeleon, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with sample preparation, extraction, and general bench chemistry techniques in an analytical laboratory.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimize analytical and extraction methods, including chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric analysis.
• Comfort working independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments and within a team.
• Demonstrated quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) experience, including working within ISO 17025 or similar quality frameworks.
• Competence in instrument maintenance and troubleshooting for Waters, Sciex, and Agilent LC and mass spectrometry systems.
• Strong organizational skills, prioritization, and attention to detail in sample handling, analysis, and reporting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Waters, Sciex, and Agilent instrumentation in an analytical chemistry setting.
• Experience in analytical chemistry, chemistry, toxicology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, or closely related disciplines.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for sample tracking, data entry, and reporting.
• Experience working with large pesticide panels and complex sample matrices across multiple ass