Senior Lab Director - Analytical Chemistry & QC

Harken Research; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

401k with company match

Opportunity for advancement

Job summary

Harken Research in Los Angeles, CA is seeking an experienced Lab Director to serve as the senior scientific and technical authority within the ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. This highly hands-on, execution-focused role will oversee senior scientists and lead technical troubleshooting and data review.

The Lab Director will collaborate with the CEO, CSO, and Lab Manager to own day-to-day scientific leadership, data integrity oversight, and complex problem-solving, shaping future growth and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of analytical chemistry experience in a commercial, contract, or third‑party testing laboratory environment.
• Deep hands-on expertise with HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation and troubleshooting.
• Extensive experience working within an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory.
• Strong understanding of analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and laboratory investigations.
• Industry experience in dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or related consumer products strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership experience managing scientists and leading technical teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable handling technically difficult client conversations professionally and confidently.
• Strong critical thinking and scientific decision-making abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific field required.
• MS or Ph.D. strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the laboratory and oversee scientific operations.
• Lead, mentor, and support senior scientists across HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS platforms.
• Provide high-level troubleshooting support for analytical, instrumentation, chromatography, and data integrity issues.
• Guide scientists through complex root cause investigations and technical problem-solving.
• Review analytical data critically and identify issues related to chromatography, sample preparation, calibration, matrix interference, contamination, extraction efficiency, or instrument performance.
• Serve as final scientific reviewer for laboratory data prior to client release.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, SOPs, and internal quality systems.
• Support investigations involving OOS results, deviations, CAPAs, and technical client concerns.
• Lead client investigations and escalations; participate in client calls and technical discussions.
• Communicate complex analytical concepts clearly to clients; build confidence through technical competency.
• Collaborate with QA and leadership to improve efficiency and scalability; drive method development and continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

ICP-MS

Root cause analysis

Data review

Analytical troubleshooting

Scientific decision making

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry

M.S. or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

ICP-MS

Job description

Harken Research in Los Angeles, CA is seeking an experienced Lab Director to serve as the senior scientific and technical authority within the ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. This highly hands-on, execution-focused role will oversee senior scientists and lead technical troubleshooting and data review.

The Lab Director will collaborate with the CEO, CSO, and Lab Manager to own day-to-day scientific leadership, data integrity oversight, and complex problem-solving, shaping future growth and