Phytonutrient Chemist

Ralco; Balaton (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralco in Balaton/Marshall, MN seeks a qualified scientist to expand and deepen our natural compound library, source and authenticate candidates, and chemically profile each entry for identity, purity, stability, and known activity.

The role blends library science with formulation chemistry to ensure compounds remain stable and functional in finished products, collaborating with production teams and the in vitro group, with occasional travel between Balaton and Marshall facilities.

Qualifications

• Hands-on laboratory experience in compound extraction, isolation, authentication, and characterization of natural components.
• Master's degree or higher in Biochemistry, Phytochemistry, Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Proficiency with GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC and other analytical instruments.
• Willingness to travel between Balaton MN and Marshall MN facilities.
• Experience collaborating with in vitro or related teams on compound screening.

Responsibilities

• Source and evaluate new candidate compounds to advance at least 5 per quarter from literature, suppliers, and botanical leads.
• Run standard lab testing (GC, HPLC, MS) on new compounds prior to database entry and authenticate within 1 month.
• Complete literature reviews establishing activity, mechanism, and safety for each compound before entry.
• Maintain complete chemical profiles with specification, purity, parameters, and literature citations.
• Deliver compound data to the in-vitro science team within 1 month of receiving a sample.
• Apply chemical engineering knowledge to formulation stability and solve manufacturing hurdles.
• Collaborate with production to ensure chemistry stays stable in finished products.
• Participate in quarterly library reviews and propose novel ingredients.
• Move ideas through formulation with the Innovation team; ensure compliance with handling protocols.

Skills

Hands-on laboratory experience

Education

Master's degree in Biochemistry/Phytochemistry/Organic Chemistry/Chemical Engineering

Tools

GC-FID

GC-MS

HPLC

Job description

This role has two equal parts. The first is expanding and deepening Ralco's compound library by sourcing, authenticating, and chemically profiling natural compounds, drawing from botanical, phytonutrient, and other natural sources. Every compound added must carry a complete, defensible chemical profile and specification (identity, constituent profile, purity, stability) and a literature-grounded understanding of its known activity and safety, so that every research hypothesis built from that data is trustworthy and well-supported.

The second is formulation chemistry: ensuring each compound's chemistry remains stable and functional once it moves from the database into a finished product. Success here means manufacturing and the customer's product experience are smooth, with no chemistry-driven failures that compromise use or efficacy.

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive, and duties may vary based on departmental and company needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and evaluate enough new candidate compounds to advance at least 5 per quarter, drawing from scientific literature, suppliers, and botanical leads
• Run standard lab testing (GC, HPLC, MS) on 100% of new compounds prior to database entry, confirming identity, purity, and stability, and complete authentication within 1 month of intake
• Complete a literature review establishing known biological activity, mechanism, and safety profile for every compound before it enters the database
• Maintain a complete chemical profile, including constituent specification, purity, and other relevant parameters, and literature citation for every compound in the database
• Proactively deliver compound-level data to the in-vitro science team within 1 month of receiving a sample, rather than waiting on requests
• Apply chemical engineering knowledge to determine formulation success and stability, and help solve manufacturing hurdles related to product composition
• Partner with production and manufacturing teams to ensure each compound's chemistry remains stable and functional once incorporated into a finished product
• Participate in the quarterly review of the compound library, contributing novel ingredient recommendations based on gaps identified
• Collaborate with others on the Innovation team to move new ideas through the formulation stage, championing novel compounds into new solutions
• Maintain full compliance with chemical handling and documentation protocols, and take responsibility for reviewing ingredient safety and compliance
• Compound extraction, isolation, authentication, and characterization
• Proficiency with GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC, and other analytical instruments
• Chemical engineering principles applied to formulation stability and manufacturing troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting and maintaining lab instrumentation
• Literature-based compound profiling and functional chemistry application
• Ralco Values and Purpose Alignment
  • Values:Courageous Curiosity, Driven to Deliver, Master Your Craft, Root for the Team, Earn the Relationship
  • Purpose:Ralco creates effective natural solutions that address agriculture's greatest challenges.

Qualifications

Education:Master's degree (minimum) in Biochemistry, Phytochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineer, or a closely related discipline supporting animal and plant health

Experience:Hands-on laboratory experience in compound extraction, isolation, authentication, and characterization of natural components

Technical:Proficient in GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC, and other analytical instruments. Chemical engineering experience is applied to formulation stability and solving manufacturing hurdles related to product composition.

Travel:Some travel required and travel between Balaton MN and Marshall MN facilities.

Location:Balaton/Marshall, MN

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining GC, MS, and HPLC instrumentation
• A genuine, unbiased drive to understand each compound to its fullest depth, identifying ambiguous or unexpected results rather than settling for a passable profile
• A track record of pushing ideas and components further than prior work has established
• Prior industry experience in botanical, essential oil, agricultural chemistry, and/or nutraceutical animal or plant health
• Experience collaborating with in vitro / microbiology teams on compound screening

About Ralco
Ralco is a family-owned agricultural health and nutrition company with a global presence, distributing products in over 40 countries. Inspired by nature and powered by science, Ralco develops innovative, natural solutions to support plant and animal health.