Senior Analytical Chemist

AVN Corporation; South Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with HSA eligibility

Job summary

AVN Corporation in South Charleston, WV seeks a Senior Analytical Chemist to provide technical support and develop/validate analytical methods for diverse R&D projects. You will work with chemists and engineers, transfer methods across labs, and present findings to clients and colleagues.

The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and rigorous method development using LC, GC, GPC, and other analytical techniques. A strong chemistry background and 5+ years’ experience are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry is preferred.
• Five years of related experience.
• Experience setting up, operating, developing methods for, and maintaining analytical instruments.
• Experience with LC, GPC, coulometry, GC, TGA, DSC, Karl Fischer titration, ion chromatography, UV-Vis, and IR spectroscopy.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot analytical methods for research and customer programs.
• Set up and conduct analyses using chromatography, spectroscopy, separation techniques, or microscopy.
• Evaluate data quality and suggest improvements to testing methodologies.
• Support transfer of analytical methods between labs, projects, and clients.
• Participate in customer discussions on analytical approaches, results, and objectives.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external customers.
• Independently set up methods for chemical mixtures analysis using various techniques.
• Operate machines and processes using control mechanisms or direct actions.
• Prepare chemical solutions per standardized formulas or create experimental formulas.
• Carry out routine tasks accurately following strict methodologies.
• Record and sometimes interpret results for senior colleagues.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Ensure the laboratory is stocked and resourced.
• Use computers for calculations, graphs, and tables.
• Adhere to AVN Safety Manual and company policies.
• Train and mentor junior personnel in analytical techniques and data interpretation.
• Serve as technical owner for assigned instrumentation.
• Coordinate maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and vendor interactions.

Skills

Practical problem solving

Effective communication

Reading and interpreting documents

Documentation

Mathematical proficiency

Technical aptitude

MS Office proficiency

Physical stamina

PPE compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry

PhD in analytical chemistry

Tools

LC

GPC

Coulometry

GC

TGA

DSC

Karl Fischer titration

Ion chromatography

UV-Vis spectroscopy

IR spectroscopy

Job description

Job Title: Senior Analytical Chemist

About AVN

AVN is a strategic innovation partner providing deep, uncommon expertise and infrastructure to solve the most challenging problems of science and technology. AVN's expertise in chemicals, energy, environmental, and advanced software enables its partners to move ideas from conception to market quickly and efficiently. AVN's chemical, energy, and environmental services business unit is headquartered in South Charleston, West Virginia. This business unit provides a broad range of unbiased technical services in industrial R&D, ranging from fundamental research to highly applied development in both the process and product arenas. Our laboratory technicians are essential in providing valuable R&D services to AVN's global customers from our South Charleston laboratories.

About the Position

Analytical chemists at AVN are expected to provide technical support and assistance to chemists and engineers supporting customer projects. As a research organization, AVN develops and refines new analytical methods to support customer objectives. This position is safety-focused and supports the AVN culture of diversity and respect for our colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot analytical methods to support research and customer programs.

• Set up and conduct analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy

• Evaluate analytical data quality and recommend improvements to testing methodologies.

• Support the transfer of analytical methods between laboratories, projects, and clients.

• Participate in customer discussions to discuss analytical approaches, results, and project objectives.

• Prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external customers.

• Independently set up methods for chemical mixtures analysis using various chemical and instrumental techniques

• Use control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes.

• Prepare chemical solutions for processes following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas

• Carry out routine tasks accurately and follow strict methodologies to carry out analyses

• Record results and sometimes interpret results to present to senior colleagues

• Maintain and clean laboratory instruments and equipment

• Ensure the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced

• Use computers and perform mathematical calculations to determine compositions and for the preparation of graphs and tables

• Exercise procedural, safety, and quality requirements specified in AVN 's Safety Manual and company policies

• Train and mentor junior laboratory personnel in analytical techniques, data interpretation, and instrument operation.

• Serve as technical owner for assigned analytical instrumentation.

• Coordinate maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and vendor interactions.

Required Skills

• Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

• Capable of interpreting various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with groups of customers or employees of AVN

• Able to write routine reports and correspondence

• Good note-writing skills for effective documentation

• Skilled in math to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume

• High level of technical aptitude and creativity

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications

• Ability to lift 25 pounds

• Ability to wear all personal protective equipment

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry preferred

• Five years of related experience

• Experience setting up, operating, developing methods for, and maintaining analytical instruments.

• Experience with three or more of the following:

• liquid chromatography (LC)

• gel-permeation chromatography (GPC)

• coulometry for CO2 and gas analysis

• total dissolved solids

• gas chromatography (GC)

• thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

• differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

• Karl Fischer titration

• cation/anion titration

• ion-chromatography

• UV-Vis spectroscopy

• Infrared (IR) spectroscopy.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with 10-15 years’ experience developing analytical methods for chemical analysis and maintaining multiple analytical instruments

or

• PhD in analytical chemistry with experience developing analytical methods for chemical analysis and maintaining multiple analytical instruments

Position Location

South Charleston, WV

Work Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but laboratory technicians must be able to work irregular hours based on project needs. This could include rotating shifts, evening shifts, 10 or 12-hour workdays, or weekend coverage. Occasional overtime is required.

Position Pay Range

AVN offers competitive pay based on experience level.

Benefits

AVN Corporation provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health and financial well-being, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, and Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, familial status, disability status, genetic information, national origin, age, veteran status, or current or future service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.