Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Lead - Chemical Insights Research Institute

About the role

The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Lead position at UL Research Institutes' Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) in Research Triangle Park, NC, supports the mission of advancing human and environmental health through advanced analytical chemistry techniques.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead for analytical quality control of the Chemical Insights’ chemical libraries for high-throughput screening using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
• Collaborate with the chemical library manager to ensure chemical libraries are fully described in terms of identity, purity, and concentration.
• Lead execution of targeted analytical chemistry measurements using LC-MS across many project areas, including but not limited to measurement of chemicals in in vitro high-throughput screening assays or to confirm findings from non-targeted analysis of environmentally-relevant samples.
• Afford assistance with review of chemical structure to chemical identifier relationships for the chemical libraries.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations within the analytical chemistry laboratory, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and established protocols.
• Maintain laboratory inventory, order and stock supplies, track usage, and ensure adequate availability of materials needed for experiments.
• Calibrate instruments, troubleshoot technical issues, and perform routine maintenance to ensure accurate and reliable results.
• Ensure laboratory safety and follow established safety protocols, maintain a clean and organized work environment, handle hazardous substances appropriately, and dispose of waste materials safely.
• Work with Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and custom software tools to ensure analytical chemistry information connects to our data ecosystem.
• Serve as the lead for various laboratory instruments and equipment, including troubleshooting experimental and equipment-related issues, with a focus on a benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy instrument for determination of constituents, purity, and concentration of chemical libraries.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists on-site to use and troubleshoot instrument(s) for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for targeted analytical chemistry applications.
• Collaborate with research staff to plan, design, and execute experiments at a range of different scales, from benchtop to screens of many samples.
• Support interdisciplinary projects through collaboration with research staff and other departments.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, procedures, and laboratory activities in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise and mentor laboratory technician staff as assigned, providing technical guidance and leadership.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development activities, attend workshops, seminars, or training sessions to enhance knowledge and skills.
• May lead and/or contribute to department or unit initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field and minimum 8 years of directly related work experience, or master's degree and 6 years of directly related work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with wet chemistry techniques for sample preparation.
• Experience working with NMR and LC-MS (QQQ) instrumentation including operation, calibration, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Experience with NMR data acquisition software, spectral interpretation for structural elucidation, and quantitative NMR for purity and/or concentration determination.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety, best practices, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to support interdisciplinary analytical chemistry projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and prioritization skills with attention to detail.
• Effective collaborator with chemists, toxicologists, and informatics professionals.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.

Qualifications

• Strong technical expertise in analytical instrumentation, including NMR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrated experience with wet chemistry techniques and sample preparation.
• Proficient in operation, calibration, and maintenance of NMR and LC-MS (QQQ) systems.
• Skilled in NMR data acquisition, spectral interpretation, and quantitative analysis for structural elucidation and purity assessment.
• Advanced knowledge of targeted LC-MS applications.
• Ability to assess analytical quality of chemical stocks and confirm chemical structure and identity.

Skills

• Strong technical expertise in analytical instrumentation, including NMR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrated experience with wet chemistry techniques and sample preparation.
• Proficient in operation, calibration, and maintenance of NMR and LC-MS (QQQ) systems.
• Skilled in NMR data acquisition, spectral interpretation for structural elucidation, and quantitative NMR for purity and/or concentration determination.
• Advanced knowledge of targeted LC-MS applications.
• Ability to assess analytical quality of chemical stocks and confirm chemical structure and identity.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay.
• Additional 4% contribution to your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

Pay

$98,562.21 - $135,523.04 per year