Chemist - Liquid Chromatography
About the role
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.
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.
Requirements
- 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.
Qualifications
- Experience using Waters, Sciex, and Agilent instrumentation in an analytical chemistry setting.
- 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 assays.
- Exposure to assay development, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to method development, including optimization of sample preparation and chromatographic conditions.
- Strong team collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse group of chemists.
- Mentoring or training experience, including supporting junior staff in laboratory techniques and SOP adherence.
- Adaptability and flexibility to learn new methods, technologies, and software tools as the laboratory evolves.
- Strong problem-solving mindset, with the ability to propose improvements and help stabilize analytical processes.
Skills
- 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.
- 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.
- Experience using Waters, Sciex, and Agilent instrumentation in an analytical chemistry setting.
- 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 assays.
- Exposure to assay development, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to method development, including optimization of sample preparation and chromatographic conditions.
- Strong team collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse group of chemists.
- Mentoring or training experience, including supporting junior staff in laboratory techniques and SOP adherence.
- Adaptability and flexibility to learn new methods, technologies, and software tools as the laboratory evolves.
- Strong problem-solving mindset, with the ability to propose improvements and help stabilize analytical processes.
Benefits
- Medical/vision insurance (company covers 100% of EE premium and 90% of dependent and HSA - company covers 100% of premium and contributes to HSA every month).
- Dental insurance.
- LTD.
- FSA.
- Supplemental insurance.
- LegalShield/IDShield.
- 401(k).
- PTO.
- 13 paid holidays.
- Partnership with Adidas and Columbia employee store.
- Annual bonus program that has historically provided a bonus valued at about one month’s salary, with prorated eligibility for new hires when applicable.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $52,000.00 - $52,000.00/yr. Benefits include medical and vision insurance with high employer contributions, dental insurance, LTD, FSA, supplemental insurance, LegalShield/IDShield, 401(k), PTO, 13 paid holidays, and partnership with Adidas and Columbia employee store. The workplace fosters community and engagement through monthly food events, social gatherings such as summer barbecues, family-friendly activities like a kids-to-work day, and a supportive environment that values both introverted and extroverted work styles. Professional growth is a key focus, with opportunities to work on challenging projects, gain exposure to advanced technology, test a wide range of analytes across multiple tests and matrices, and pursue a clear advancement path toward higher-level and supervisory roles.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Portland, OR.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 3, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.