Analytical Chemist — HPLC, GC, LC-MS/MS
Overview
Pay: $22.00–$28.00 per hour
Schedule requirement
The successful applicant will be hired for one of the following schedules:
Saturday–Tuesday: four 10-hour shifts
Thursday–Sunday: four 10-hour shifts
Monday–Friday, second shift: 2:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
This is a permanent shift assignment. The employee will be expected to remain on the assigned schedule indefinitely. Do not apply if you expect to request a weekday day-shift schedule after a few weeks or months.
State in your cover letter which schedules you can work.
Application Requirement Submit a cover letter explaining why you want to work at Vanguard Laboratory and describing your relevant industry experience.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Who we are
Vanguard Laboratory is an established, family-owned analytical laboratory in Olympia, Washington. We test food, agricultural, drinking water, environmental, nutritional supplement, pharmaceutical, research chemical, small-molecule, and peptide samples.
We are an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory focused on technical quality, high-throughput testing, continuous improvement, and method development. Position Overview We are hiring an Analytical Chemist with hands-on industry experience using one or more of the following:
HPLC or UHPLC
LC-MS or LC-MS/MS
High-resolution mass spectrometry
GC-FID or GC-MS
ICP-MS
This position has a strong production-testing focus. The successful candidate must prepare and analyze a high volume of samples while maintaining accurate documentation, appropriate quality controls, defensible integration, and reliable instrument performance.
This is not an entry-level training position for someone whose laboratory experience is limited to academic coursework. Applicants must have practical experience in a commercial, pharmaceutical, supplement, environmental, food, contract-testing, or other industry laboratory.
Experience with small molecules, peptides, pharmaceuticals, or nutritional supplements is especially valuable. Experience with Agilent, SCIEX, Thermo Scientific, Shimadzu, or comparable systems is helpful. Primary ResponsibilitiesHigh-Throughput Analysis
Prepare, run, and analyze high volumes of samples using HPLC, UHPLC, GC, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, HRMS, ICP-MS, or related techniques.
Prepare small-molecule, peptide, pharmaceutical, supplement, research chemical, food, water, and environmental samples.
Prepare standards, calibration solutions, controls, blanks, dilutions, extraction solutions, mobile phases, and reagents.
Follow batch sequences, priority lists, hold times, and client turnaround requirements.
Maximize instrument capacity without sacrificing accuracy, quality, or traceability.
Recognize preparation errors, failed controls, questionable results, or instrument problems before data are reported.
Communicate promptly when an issue may delay completion.
Chromatography and Data Review
Review chromatograms and spectra, integrate peaks, evaluate calibration curves, verify calculations, and apply system-suitability requirements.
Evaluate retention time, peak shape, resolution, baseline quality, carryover, blanks, standards, controls, and replicate agreement.
Identify questionable integrations, inconsistent results, coelution, contamination, matrix interference, or instrument instability.
Reprocess data only when scientifically justified and document changes appropriately.
Produce complete, traceable, technically defensible data packages.
Assist with technical review and Certificate of Analysis preparation.
Instrument Operation and Maintenance
Operate HPLC, GC, LC-MS, and other analytical systems safely and consistently.
Perform mobile-phase preparation, column installation and storage, source cleaning, inlet maintenance, consumable replacement, tuning, calibration, and system flushing.
Identify declining sensitivity, leaks, pressure problems, retention-time shifts, carryover, contamination, poor peak shape, or other developing issues.
Perform basic troubleshooting and escalate problems when vendor service or senior technical review is needed.
Maintain instrument, maintenance, calibration, column, and service records.
Monitor critical solvents, gases, standards, columns, vials, liners, seals, and other consumables.
Methods and Quality Systems
Follow laboratory SOPs, validated methods, safety procedures, and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
Support method development, verification, validation, transfer, and continuous improvement.
Prepare or revise SOPs, worksheets, instrument procedures, and training records.
Participate in proficiency testing, QC review, nonconforming-work investigations, corrective actions, and audit preparation.
Document deviations, failures, preparation errors, and unusual observations clearly and honestly.
Maintain records that allow the work to be reconstructed and defended.
Take ownership of assigned batches and projects through completion.
Qualifications
Hands-on analytical chemistry experience in an industry laboratory. Academic coursework alone is not sufficient.
Practical experience using HPLC, GC, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, HRMS, ICP-MS, or a closely related instrumental technique.
Understanding of sample preparation, extraction, dilutions, filtration, standards, blanks, controls, and contamination prevention.
Working knowledge of chromatography or mass-spectrometry data review, including integration, calibration, retention time, peak shape, carryover, and system suitability.
Ability to work accurately and efficiently in a high-throughput environment with changing priorities.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing defensible data.
Ability to troubleshoot, ask appropriate questions, document clearly, and take responsibility for assigned work.
Ability and willingness to work one of the permanent schedules listed above.
Degree in chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical science, environmental science, or a related field, or equivalent directly relevant experience.
Preferred qualifications
Experience with HPLC-DAD, HPLC-RID, HPLC-ELSD, LC-MS/MS, HRMS, GC-FID, GC-MS, or ICP-MS.
Experience testing small molecules, peptides, pharmaceuticals, supplements, research chemicals, food, water, or environmental samples.
Experience with Agilent, SCIEX, Thermo Scientific, Shimadzu, Waters, or comparable instrumentation.
Experience with ChemStation, OpenLab, Analyst, Xcalibur, Chromeleon, Empower, MassLynx, or comparable software.
Experience in an ISO/IEC 17025, GMP, GLP, environmental, pharmaceutical, food, supplement, or contract-testing laboratory.
Method development, verification, validation, or transfer experience.
Experience processing large batches and meeting commercial turnaround times.
Experience performing routine instrument maintenance and troubleshooting.
Compensation
Pay is $22.00–$28.00 per hour , depending on relevant industry experience, instrumentation knowledge, technical independence, and high-throughput capability.
Benefits include:
Employer-matched 401(k)
Health, dental, vision, and life-insurance options
Paid vacation and parental leave
Professional-development assistance and technical training
Merit-based raises
Opportunities to contribute to method development and company growth
Employees may earn $500–$2,000 for each new method successfully implemented , depending on complexity, individual contribution, required validation and documentation, and addition to the laboratory’s approved scope or routine capabilities.
How to apply
Email a resume and a cover letter to [email protected]. Name this role in the subject line. Applications without a cover letter are not reviewed.