Laboratory Technician, ICP-MS

Subsense, Inc.; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Subsense, Inc. is seeking a Laboratory Technician, ICP-MS to support the Nanoscience team in a fast-paced R&D lab in Mountain View/ Palo Alto area.

The role focuses on ICP‑MS operation, sample preparation, calibration, data review, and method development to ensure high-quality trace‑element analyses. The candidate should have hands-on ICP‑MS experience, a chemistry-related degree or equivalent lab work, and strong documentation skills.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field, or equivalent hands‑on lab experience.
• Hands‑on ICP‑MS experience in analytical chemistry or R&D labs.
• Experience with sample preparation, standards, reagents, and solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow analytical procedures consistently.
• Experience with trace metals or elemental analysis.
• Familiarity with QA/QC practices (blanks, spikes, duplicates, internal standards, calibration verification, CRM).

Responsibilities

• Operate ICP-MS instrumentation for routine and experimental trace‑element analysis.
• Prepare samples, standards, blanks, and calibration solutions using clean‑lab practices.
• Perform instrument calibration, tuning, QC checks, and routine system testing.
• Execute established ICP‑MS methods and assist method development and validation.
• Document analytical data, including calibration curves and QC results.
• Identify anomalous results and troubleshoot instrument‑related issues.
• Maintain notebooks, logs, and sample records with accuracy.
• Manage ICP‑MS consumables, references, and laboratory supplies.
• Support laboratory operations, including reagent prep and inventory management.

Skills

Hands-on ICP-MS experience

Attention to detail

Troubleshooting

Sample preparation

Data documentation

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

ICP-MS instrumentation

ICP-MS calibration equipment

Job description

About Subsense

Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human–machine interaction.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Laboratory Technician, ICP-MS to join our Nanoscience team. This role will support the team’s analytical and experimental work through the operation, maintenance, and application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with a particular focus on reliable trace-element analysis and high-quality experimental data.

The ideal candidate is hands‑on, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced R&D laboratory environment. This person will work closely with scientists and engineers across the Nanoscience team to prepare samples, execute analytical methods, maintain laboratory instrumentation, and ensure the quality and reproducibility of analytical results.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate ICP-MS instrumentation for routine and experimental trace‑element analysis.
• Prepare samples, standards, blanks, and calibration solutions using appropriate clean‑lab and contamination‑control practices.
• Perform instrument calibration, tuning, quality‑control checks, and routine system suitability testing.
• Execute established ICP-MS methods and support the development, optimization, and validation of new analytical methods.
• Process, review, and document analytical data, including calibration curves, QC results, detection limits, and sample results.
• Identify anomalous results and assist with troubleshooting analytical, sample‑preparation, and instrument‑related issues.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance and coordinate more complex instrument servicing as needed.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, instrument logs, sample records, and experimental documentation.
• Manage ICP-MS consumables, standards, reference materials, gases, and other laboratory supplies.
• Support general laboratory operations, including preparation of reagents and solutions, equipment upkeep, inventory management, and laboratory organization.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and established protocols for handling acids, chemicals, samples, and laboratory waste.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to plan analytical work, interpret results, and improve experimental workflows.
• Contribute to the development of SOPs, analytical procedures, and laboratory best practices.
• Support additional analytical and Nanoscience laboratory activities as priorities evolve.

What You’ll Bring

• Hands‑on experience operating and maintaining ICP-MS instrumentation.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials science, nanoscience, chemical engineering, or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent hands‑on laboratory experience.
• Experience working in a chemistry, analytical, materials, or research laboratory.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow analytical procedures consistently.
• Experience preparing samples, standards, reagents, and solutions using quantitative laboratory techniques.
• Comfort working with laboratory instrumentation and learning new analytical methods.
• Ability to maintain clear, accurate, and organized experimental records.
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with trace metals or elemental analysis.
• Familiarity with ICP‑MS sample preparation, including acid digestion, dilution, and contamination‑control techniques.
• Experience with ICP‑MS method development, optimization, or validation.
• Familiarity with analytical QA/QC practices, including blanks, spikes, duplicates, internal standards, calibration verification, and certified reference materials.
• Experience troubleshooting ICP‑MS components such as sample introduction systems, cones, vacuum systems, pumps, or autosamplers.
• Experience with other analytical techniques such as ICP‑OES, atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography, or related instrumentation.
• Experience working in an R&D, startup, or rapidly evolving laboratory environment.

$75,000 - $90,000 a year

Subsense is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.