Senior Analytical Chemist

Actalent; Shawnee (KS); On-site; USD 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent seeks a skilled Chemist to perform routine and advanced analytical testing of small-molecule substances in a regulated lab. You will lead method transfer and validation activities, support method development for purity, potency, and stability, and help with cleaning validation.

Strong hands-on HPLC/GC and documentation practices are required. The role involves training other lab personnel, drafting SOPs and reports, and ensuring compliance with USP/EP/JP guidelines.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and executing analytical method transfer.
• Experience planning and performing analytical method validations.
• Ability to read USP/EP/JP and apply compendial methodologies.
• Proven record writing SOPs, reports, and investigations.
• Strong documentation and training skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine analysis of finished dosage forms and raw materials using validated methods.
• Design and execute method transfer protocols and reports.
• Plan and document analytical method validations with protocols and reports.
• Design and execute cleaning validation protocols and reports.
• Support development of methods for purity, potency, and stability.
• Operate HPLC, GC, and related instruments with proper calibration.
• Prepare reagents and samples following procedures.
• Troubleshoot laboratory equipment and analytical issues.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous records per regulatory standards.
• Collaborate to meet testing schedules in a team environment.
• Interpret compendial monographs and analytic methodologies.
• Write SOPs, protocols, and investigation reports.
• Train and mentor other lab personnel.

Skills

HPLC method development

GC analysis

Analytical method validation

Method transfer

Documentation practices

Root cause analysis

SOP writing

Training others

Regulatory compliance

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Chemistry

Tools

Empower chromatography data system

Job description

Job Title: Chemist

Job Description

This role focuses on performing routine and advanced analytical testing of small-molecule pharmaceutical drug substances, finished dosage forms, and raw materials in a regulated laboratory environment. The chemist designs and executes method transfer and validation activities, supports analytical method development for purity, potency, and stability assessments, and contributes to cleaning validation efforts. The position requires strong hands-on experience with HPLC and GC, excellent documentation practices, and the ability to lead investigations and provide guidance to other laboratory personnel.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine analysis of finished pharmaceutical dosage forms and raw materials using approved analytical methods and specifications.
• Design and execute method transfer protocols, including drafting and implementing method transfer documentation and authoring method transfer reports.
• Plan, perform, and document analytical method validations, including drafting validation protocols and writing comprehensive validation reports.
• Design and execute cleaning validation protocols and prepare final cleaning validation reports in compliance with applicable standards.
• Support the development of analytical methods to assess the purity, potency, and stability of drug substances and finished products.
• Operate HPLC, GC, and other laboratory analytical instruments, ensuring proper setup, calibration, and maintenance.
• Prepare reagents, standards, and sample solutions for testing, following established laboratory procedures.
• Assist in troubleshooting laboratory equipment and analytical issues to maintain smooth laboratory operations.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and contemporaneous records of all laboratory work performed, in accordance with regulatory and internal documentation requirements.
• Contribute to meeting testing schedules by working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and prioritizing tasks effectively.
• Read, interpret, and apply USP, EP, JP, and other compendial monographs, as well as analytical methodologies, to laboratory testing activities.
• Write standard operating procedures (SOPs), laboratory protocols, technical reports, memoranda, and other interdepartmental correspondence.
• Train and provide guidance to other laboratory personnel, helping them develop proficiency in general and advanced laboratory practices.
• Develop subject matter expertise in specific analytical techniques and laboratory practices and serve as a technical resource to the team.
• Use root cause analysis tools to investigate laboratory issues and deviations, and apply strong technical writing skills to complete laboratory investigation reports.
• Independently conduct and document laboratory investigations and serve as a backup for the laboratory supervisor when needed.
• Perform data review of analytical results to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable standards and procedures.

Essential Skills

• 610 years of industry experience as a pharmaceutical chemist in a small-molecule environment.
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• Strong hands-on HPLC experience, including method development and method validation.
• Experience with GC and other common analytical laboratory instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience with analytical testing of small-molecule pharmaceutical drug substances and finished dosage forms.
• Proficiency in designing and executing analytical method transfer and validation protocols.
• Experience supporting cleaning validation activities, including protocol execution and report writing.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply USP, EP, JP compendial monographs and analytical methodologies.
• Strong technical writing skills for authoring SOPs, protocols, reports, and investigation documents.
• Experience conducting and documenting laboratory investigations using root cause analysis tools.
• Ability to train and guide other laboratory personnel and act as a subject matter expert in laboratory practices.
• Strong data review skills with a focus on accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot laboratory instruments and analytical methods.
• Effective teamwork skills and the ability to work within a schedule-driven, collaborative laboratory environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Empower chromatography data system proficiency is a plus.
• Experience in an animal health pharmaceutical environment is beneficial.
• Prior exposure to growing, project-driven pharmaceutical facilities is advantageous.
• Comfort working in a laboratory with multiple chemists and cross-functional partners.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in a regulated laboratory setting.

Work Environment

The role is based in a pharmaceutical laboratory focused on small-molecule and animal health products, working alongside approximately 68 other chemists. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing a stable daytime work pattern. The laboratory environment relies heavily on analytical technologies such as HPLC, GC, and related instrumentation, as well as chromatography data systems like Empower. The facility is part of a growing operation that supports significant new projects, offering exposure to a dynamic and evolving workload. Work is performed in a controlled laboratory setting that emphasizes safety, precision, and adherence to established procedures and documentation standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Shawnee, KS.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $53.00/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 position based out of Shawnee, KS.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Shawnee,KS.

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.

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.

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.