R&D Chemist

Actalent; New Brighton (MN); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Savings Account

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in New Brighton, MN, seeks an analytical chemist to support prototype pharmaceutical formulations across development. You will perform HPLC analyses, dissolution testing, and solid-state characterization (XRD/DSC/TGA) in a hands-on R&D lab.

Join a collaborative, small team focused on method development, process optimization, and scale‑up. This contract‑to‑hire role is onsite in New Brighton with competitive wages and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or closely related field.
• At least 6 months of post-graduation lab experience.
• Practical experience in analytical chemistry techniques in a laboratory setting.
• Hands-on experience with HPLC, or strong foundational knowledge and the ability to learn quickly.
• Experience performing dissolution or dissolution testing in a lab environment.
• Ability to conduct and interpret basic physical tests such as disintegration and particle size analysis.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established analytical methods and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a smaller, collaborative team environment.
• Solid organizational and documentation skills for recording experimental work and results.
• Willingness to work in a pharmaceutical R&D environment with a focus on hands-on laboratory work.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical testing support for prototype pharmaceutical formulations across all stages of development.
• Perform HPLC analyses to support method development, validation, and routine testing as directed by scientists and senior scientists.
• Conduct dissolution testing and other related dissolution studies to assess product performance.
• Perform physical testing of products, including disintegration testing, particle size analysis.
• Execute solid-state characterization methods, including microscopy, XRD, DSC, and TGA.
• Carry out chemical characterization methods, including assay, dissolution, and KF moisture analysis.
• Prepare samples accurately and efficiently for a variety of analytical and solid-state tests.
• Provide hands‑on support for formulation development activities, including process optimization and scale‑up tasks.
• Adapt quickly to changing project priorities and shift focus between different analytical and development activities as needed.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and senior scientists, communicating results clearly and contributing to troubleshooting and problem‑solving.
• Document all laboratory work, observations, and results in an accurate, organized, and compliant manner.

Skills

HPLC experience

Dissolution testing

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory techniques

Disintegration

Particle size analysis

Documentation

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

HPLC systems

Microscopy

XRD

DSC

TGA

KF moisture analysis

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical testing support for the manufacture of prototype pharmaceutical formulations across all stages of development.
• Perform HPLC analyses to support method development, validation, and routine testing as directed by scientists and senior scientists.
• Conduct dissolution testing and other related dissolution studies to assess product performance.
• Perform physical testing of products, including disintegration testing, particle size analysis, and other relevant evaluations.
• Execute solid-state characterization methods, including microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
• Carry out chemical characterization methods, including assay, dissolution, and Karl Fischer (KF) moisture analysis.
• Prepare samples accurately and efficiently for a variety of analytical and solid-state tests.
• Provide hands‑on support for formulation development activities, including process optimization and scale‑up tasks.
• Adapt quickly to changing project priorities and shift focus between different analytical and development activities as needed.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and senior scientists, communicating results clearly and contributing to troubleshooting and problem‑solving.
• Document all laboratory work, observations, and results in an accurate, organized, and compliant manner.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.
• At least 6 months of post‑graduation laboratory industry experience.
• Practical experience in analytical chemistry techniques in a laboratory setting.
• Hands‑on experience with HPLC, or strong foundational knowledge and the ability to learn quickly.
• Experience performing dissolution or dissolution testing in a lab environment.
• Ability to conduct and interpret basic physical tests such as disintegration and particle size analysis.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established analytical methods and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a smaller, collaborative team environment.
• Solid organizational and documentation skills for recording experimental work and results.
• Willingness to work in a pharmaceutical R&D environment with a focus on hands‑on laboratory work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 612 months of direct experience operating and troubleshooting HPLC systems.
• Previous experience in the pharmaceutical industry or in a pharmaceutical‑focused laboratory.
• Familiarity with solid‑state characterization techniques such as microscopy, XRD, DSC, and TGA.
• Experience with chemical characterization methods including assay, dissolution, and Karl Fischer (KF) analysis.
• Interest in working in a tight‑knit, start‑up‑like environment where contributions are highly visible.
• Motivation to contribute directly to company success through hands‑on R&D work.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with scientists and sharing test results and observations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced setting.

Work Environment

This position is based in a hands‑on pharmaceutical research and development laboratory with a strong emphasis on experimental work and close collaboration with scientists. You will work in a smaller, tight‑knit team that values a start‑up environment where each person can make a visible impact and contribute directly to the organizations success. The role involves routine use of analytical and solid‑state instrumentation such as HPLC systems, dissolution testers, microscopy equipment, XRD, DSC, and TGA. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses and lab coats, is required when working in the laboratory. The environment is highly collaborative and dynamic, with project priorities that may shift quickly, providing broad exposure and cross‑training opportunities across multiple aspects of pharmaceutical formulation and analysis.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New Brighton, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $26.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New Brighton, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in New Brighton,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.