Analytical Chemist HPLC GC LCMSMS 4 10hr days

Vanguard Laboratory; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Professional development

Merit-based raises

Method development opportunities

Job summary

Vanguard Laboratory in Olympia, WA, seeks an Analytical Chemist with hands-on experience in HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, HRMS, or ICP-MS to support high-volume testing. The role emphasizes accuracy, documentation, and maintaining instrument performance in a production environment.

The position requires practical industry lab experience and the ability to work one of several permanent schedules. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation context and environmental, pharmaceutical, or food testing experience are valued.

Qualifications

• Hands-on analytical chemistry experience in an industry laboratory.
• Practical experience using HPLC, GC, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, HRMS, ICP-MS, or similar instrumentation.
• Understanding of sample prep, extractions, dilutions, controls, blanks, and contamination prevention.
• Ability to review chromatography data, integrate, and evaluate calibration curves.
• Ability to work in a high-throughput environment with changing priorities.
• Degree in chemistry or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, run, and analyze high volumes of samples using HPLC, UHPLC, GC, LC-MS, HRMS, ICP-MS, or related techniques.
• Prepare standards, calibration solutions, controls, blanks, and reagents.
• Follow batch sequences and client turnaround requirements.
• Maximize instrument capacity while maintaining accuracy and traceability.
• Identify errors or instrument issues and communicate promptly.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

High-throughput testing

Documentation

Attention to detail

Troubleshooting

Education

Chemistry-related degree

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

LC-MS

HRMS

ICP-MS

Job description

High-Throughput HPLC, GC and LC-MS Testing

Pay: $22.00–$28.00 per hour

PERMANENT SHIFT 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.

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 Responsibilities (High-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 elevate 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.

Required 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 and Benefits

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.