Laboratory Director

Harken Research; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

401k with company match

Opportunity for advancement

Job summary

Harken Research in Los Angeles, CA is seeking an experienced Lab Director to serve as the senior scientific and technical authority within the ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. This highly hands-on, execution-focused role will oversee senior scientists and lead technical troubleshooting and data review.

The Lab Director will collaborate with the CEO, CSO, and Lab Manager to own day-to-day scientific leadership, data integrity oversight, and complex problem-solving, shaping future growth and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of analytical chemistry experience in a commercial, contract, or third‑party testing laboratory environment.
• Deep hands-on expertise with HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation and troubleshooting.
• Extensive experience working within an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory.
• Strong understanding of analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and laboratory investigations.
• Industry experience in dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or related consumer products strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership experience managing scientists and leading technical teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable handling technically difficult client conversations professionally and confidently.
• Strong critical thinking and scientific decision-making abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific field required.
• MS or Ph.D. strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the laboratory and oversee scientific operations.
• Lead, mentor, and support senior scientists across HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS platforms.
• Provide high-level troubleshooting support for analytical, instrumentation, chromatography, and data integrity issues.
• Guide scientists through complex root cause investigations and technical problem-solving.
• Review analytical data critically and identify issues related to chromatography, sample preparation, calibration, matrix interference, contamination, extraction efficiency, or instrument performance.
• Serve as final scientific reviewer for laboratory data prior to client release.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, SOPs, and internal quality systems.
• Support investigations involving OOS results, deviations, CAPAs, and technical client concerns.
• Lead client investigations and escalations; participate in client calls and technical discussions.
• Communicate complex analytical concepts clearly to clients; build confidence through technical competency.
• Collaborate with QA and leadership to improve efficiency and scalability; drive method development and continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

ICP-MS

Root cause analysis

Data review

Analytical troubleshooting

Scientific decision making

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry

M.S. or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

ICP-MS

Job description

Harken Research is an ISO17025 accredited testing laboratory located in Los Angeles with two core business units: consumer product testing and pharmaceutical contract research. Within the consumer product testing unit dietary supplements, food, and cosmetics are the focus – with additional testing services catering to other industries. Our strengths are our ability to offer customized testing and problem solving to address client needs; excellent customer service; and quick turnaround times.

Summary

Harken Research is seeking an experienced Lab Director to serve as the senior scientific and technical authority within the laboratory. This role is highly hands-on and execution-focused. The Lab Director will oversee senior scientists, lead technical troubleshooting and data review, guide complex investigations, and ensure the scientific integrity of laboratory operations.

The Lab Director will work closely with the CEO, CSO, and Lab Manager as part of the laboratory leadership team. This role is intended to fully own day-to-day scientific leadership, technical decision-making, data integrity oversight, and complex laboratory problem-solving.

This is a high-impact leadership role with direct visibility to executive leadership and significant influence over the future growth and scalability of the laboratory.

Duties

Scientific & Technical Leadership

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the laboratory
• Lead, mentor, and support senior scientists across HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS platforms
• Provide high-level troubleshooting support for difficult analytical, instrumentation, chromatography, and data integrity issues
• Guide scientists through complex root cause investigations and technical problem-solving
• Review analytical data critically and identify issues related to chromatography, sample preparation, calibration, matrix interference, contamination, extraction efficiency, or instrument performance

Data Review & Quality Oversight

• Serve as final scientific reviewer for laboratory data prior to client release
• Work closely with QA leadership to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, SOPs, and internal quality systems
• Ensure analytical results are accurate, defensible, and scientifically sound
• Support investigations involving OOS results, deviations, CAPAs, and technical client concerns

Client Investigations & Technical Communication

• Serve as the primary technical lead for difficult client investigations and escalations
• Participate directly in client calls and technical discussions regarding unexpected results, analytical limitations, or disputed findings
• Communicate complex analytical concepts clearly and professionally to clients
• Build client confidence through strong technical competency and responsiveness

Operational & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with laboratory operations leadership, QA, and the CEO to improve laboratory efficiency and scalability
• Help optimize scientific workflows, testing quality, and turnaround times
• Partner with operations leadership on scientist development, technical training, and resource planning
• Contribute to method development, continuous improvement, and expansion of laboratory capabilities

Qualifications

• 15+ years of analytical chemistry experience in a commercial, contract, or third-party testing laboratory environment
• Deep hands-on expertise with HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Extensive experience working within an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory
• Strong understanding of analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and laboratory investigations
• Industry experience in dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or related consumer products strongly preferred
• Proven leadership experience managing scientists and leading technical teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable handling technically difficult client conversations professionally and confidentlyStrong critical thinking and scientific decision‑making abilities
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific field required
• M.S. or Ph.D. strongly preferred

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills (Critical to Success)

• Highly technical and scientifically strong
• Hands‑on leader who enjoys troubleshooting and solving complex analytical problems
• Able to move quickly and make sound scientific decisions in a fast‑paced laboratory environment
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability
• High attention to detail and commitment to data integrity
• Calm and professional under pressure

Ideal Background

Strong candidates may come from:

• High-throughput analytical testing labs
• Method development roles within regulated environments
• Hybrid R&D + QC backgrounds
• Dietary supplement, food, pharmaceutical, or contract testing labs

We value:

• Scientific reasoning
• Operational discipline
• Clear communication
• Calm under pressure
• Willingness to be hands‑on
• $140,000 – $180,000/year (depending on experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and PTO
• 401k with company match
• Opportunity for advancement