Senior Scientist

Vibrant Wellness; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Vibrant America is seeking a Senior Mass Spectrometry Scientist to design, validate, and deploy targeted LC-MS/MS assays for metabolites across plasma, serum, urine, and other biofluids, using triple‑quadrupole platforms.

You will transfer assays from R&D through analytical and clinical validation into production in a high‑complexity CLIA/CAP laboratory, while supporting proteomic and multi‑omics analyses and collaborating with R&D, QA, and clinical operations to deliver patient‑impacting tests.

Qualifications

• Hands-on assay development and production in a CLIA/CAP lab.
• Experience with targeted quantitative LC-MS/MS in metabolomics.
• Proven ability to transfer assays from R&D to production.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate LC-MS/MS methods for metabolites.
• Lead transfer of assays to production/manufacturing lines.
• Collaborate with R&D, bioinformatics, QA and clinical operations.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

LC-MS/MS

MRM/SRM

Triple-quadrupole

Analytical chemistry

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry

MS in related field

Tools

Sciex

UHPLC

Orbitrap

Job description

Vibrant America is a leading clinical diagnostics laboratory dedicated to transforming healthcare through advanced testing, innovative technology, and data-driven insights. The company specializes in functional medicine and multi-omics testing, offering comprehensive panels that support personalized patient care.

Our Vision

At Vibrant America, our vision is to empower healthcare providers and patients with actionable insights that drive better health outcomes. By integrating cutting‑edge science, automation, and analytics, we aim to redefine preventive and personalized medicine.

About the Role

The Senior Mass Spectrometry Scientist will lead the design, development, validation, and production deployment of targeted quantitative LC‑MS/MS assays for metabolites and small molecules, which constitute approximately 80% of the role. Working primarily on triple‑quadrupole platforms, the scientist will build robust, high‑throughput quantitative methods for a broad range of analytes — including amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, bile acids, vitamins, steroids and hormones, and other clinically relevant metabolites — across diverse biological matrices.

A core expectation of this role is taking assays from R&D through analytical and clinical validation and into the production / manufacturing pipeline of a high‑complexity clinical laboratory. The remaining ~20% of the role supports targeted proteomic and peptide quantitation on high‑resolution platforms as part of the company’s multi‑omics testing portfolio. The scientist will collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, bioinformatics, automation, quality assurance, and clinical operations teams to advance projects from concept to live, patient‑impacting te

Responsibilities

Metabolomics & Small‑Molecule Assay Development (≈80%)

• Develop, optimize, and validate targeted quantitative LC‑MS/MS methods (MRM/SRM) for metabolites and small molecules across matrices such as plasma, serum, urine, and other biofluids.
• Design quantitation strategies using stable isotope‑labeled internal standards, calibration curves, and robust QC schemes to achieve accurate, precise, and reproducible measurements.
• Develop and optimize sample‑preparation workflows (protein precipitation, solid‑phase extraction, liquid‑liquid extraction, derivatization) using both manual and automated / liquid‑handling platforms.
• Develop chromatographic separations (reversed‑phase, HILIC) suited to chemically diverse small‑molecule analytes.
• Lead the transfer of validated assays into the production / manufacturing line, partnering with operations and automation teams to ensure throughput, robustness, and long‑term reproducibility.
• Perform analytical and clinical method validation (accuracy, precision, linearity, LOD/LOQ, matrix effects, carryover, stability, reference intervals) in accordance with CLIA/CAP and applicable regulatory standards.
• Support the development and execution of targeted proteomic / peptide assays (e.g., PRM, stable isotope dilution) on high‑resolution Orbitrap and LC systems for multi‑omics panels.
• Contribute to peptide mapping, post‑translational modification (PTM) analysis, and intact / protein‑level measurements as needed.
• Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot triple‑quadrupole LC‑MS/MS systems (e.g., Sciex, Agilent, Waters) and associated UHPLC; work with high‑resolution Orbitrap platforms for confirmation and proteomic applications.
• Perform routine performance checks, system suitability testing, and preventive maintenance to ensure data quality in a regulated environment.
• Coordinate with vendors to implement upgrades, new applications, and service support.

Data Analysis & Bioinformatics

• Process and interpret quantitative MS data using vendor and specialized software (e.g., Sciex OS / MultiQuant, Agilent MassHunter Quantitative, Waters TargetLynx, Thermo TraceFinder, Skyline).
• Integrate metabolomics data with proteomics, genomics, and other omics layers to generate multi‑dimensional, clinically meaningful insights.
• Collaborate with bioinformatics teams to refine quantitation pipelines, perform statistical analyses, and support clinically relevant reporting.

Research & Development

• Lead biomarker and assay development efforts and translate findings into validated clinical tests.Explore applications across metabolic, cardiovascular, endocrine, oncologic, neurologic, and immunologic health.
• Stay current with literature, emerging technologies, and regulatory trends in metabolomics, small‑molecule quantitation, and clinical mass spectrometry.
• Motivated problem solver with strong attention to detail, excellent organizational and time‑management skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects to meet development timelines in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment

Qualifications

• Proven production / clinical implementation: Demonstrated, hands‑on experience developing an assay or product that was successfully implemented and is actively running in a production or manufacturing pipeline in a clinical diagnostic (CLIA/CAP) laboratory setting. This is a firm requirement for the role.
• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biology, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or an MS with 10+ years of experience, in mass spectrometry‑based metabolomics and/or small‑molecule quantitation in an industry, biotech, or clinical laboratory setting.Hands‑on expertise in targeted quantitative LC‑MS/MS method development and execution on triple‑quadrupole instruments, including MRM/SRM assays using stable isotope‑labeled internal standards.
• Hands‑on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting triple‑quadrupole MS and UHPLC systems; experience with high‑resolution Orbitrap instruments is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing sample‑preparation methods from a variety of matrices (plasma, serum, urine, biofluids), including automated / liquid‑handling workflows.
• Experience with analytical and clinical assay validation (CLIA/CAP), including accuracy, precision, linearity, sensitivity, matrix effects, carryover, and stability.Proficiency analyzing and interpreting quantitative MS data using software such as MultiQuant, MassHunter, TargetLynx, TraceFinder, or Skyline, and the ability to communicate results effectively in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.
• Familiarity with targeted proteomics / peptide quantitation (PRM, DIA/DDA) and high‑resolution MS is desirable and supports the proteomics component of the role.
• Experience with un‑targeted / discovery metabolomics on high‑resolution platforms (e.g., Compound Discoverer, XCMS, MZmine) is desirable.

Please Note: This is a laboratory‑based role with routine handling of biological and chemical samples. It requires extended periods at mass spectrometry instruments and computational workstations. Occasional weekend / evening work may be required for long LC‑MS runs or instrument troubleshooting.