Principal Investigator, Analytical Sciences

FMC Corporation; Schaffhausen; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

FMC Corporation in Schaffhausen is seeking a Principal Investigator to join the Global Analytical Sciences team. You will design and execute analytical studies, develop and validate methods, and provide regulatory-support activities across the product lifecycle.

The role offers collaboration with scientists and engineers worldwide, leading GLP-compliant projects and mentoring junior chemists while advancing methods for crop protection products from discovery to commercialization.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry with analytical focus.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques (HPLC/UHPLC/GC).
• Experience with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/GC-MS).
• Hands-on method development in GLP-regulated environments.
• Strong communication and collaboration across functions.

Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and coordinate analytical studies per global regulatory requirements.
• Develop, validate analytical methods for actives, intermediates, impurities, and formulations.
• Provide analytical leadership and primary contact for products and platforms.
• Support process development, formulation, manufacturing, registrations, and defense initiatives.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques to solve complex challenges.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists, process chemists, and engineers.
• Mentor the development of associate chemists.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical leadership

Regulatory compliance

Project management

GLP study coordination

Education

PhD in Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry)

Tools

HPLC

UHPLC

GC

LC-MS

GC-MS

Job description

Principal Investigator – Analytical Sciences

At FMC, our employees are guided by our purpose: Innovation for Agriculture, Solutions for the Planet. We provide farmers innovative solutions that increase the productivity and resilience of their land. From our industry-leading pipeline to novel biologicals and precision technologies, we are passionate about the power of science to solve agriculture’s biggest challenges.

For more than a century, FMC has successfully delivered some of the of the industry's most advanced, innovative solutions that protect farmers’ crops from destructive pests and disease, while also protecting the environment. We are committed to fulfilling our mission of discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet.

FMC is seeking a talented and motivated Principal Investigator to join our Global Analytical Sciences team. As part of a multidisciplinary R&D organisation, you will support the discovery, development, and commercialisation of innovative crop protection products through the design and execution of analytical studies, method development, and regulatory support activities.

This role offers the opportunity to work across the full product lifecycle, from early-stage research through commercial launch, while collaborating with scientists and engineers across a global organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and coordinate analytical studies in accordance with global regulatory requirements, serving as a GLP Study Director or Study Monitor where applicable.


• Develop, validate, and implement analytical methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of active ingredients, intermediates, metabolites, impurities, and formulations.


• Provide analytical leadership and serve as the primary analytical contact for assigned products and technology platforms.


• Support process development, formulation development, manufacturing, registration activities, and product defense initiatives.


• Apply advanced analytical techniques, including chromatography and mass spectrometry, to solve complex scientific challenges.


• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including analytical chemists, process chemists, and process engineers.


• Mentor and support the development of associate chemists, fostering technical growth and scientific excellence.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, preferably with a specialisation in Analytical Chemistry or a related discipline.


• Strong expertise in chromatographic techniques, including HPLC, UHPLC, and GC.


• Experience with mass spectrometry techniques such as LC-MS and GC-MS.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively within a global environment.


• Hands-on analytical method development and validation experience within an industrial or GLP-regulated environment.


• Experience supporting R&D programs from early development through product commercialisation.


• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing to highly collaborative project teams.