Senior Scientist I - Mass Spec

Actalent; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Senior Scientist I, Mass Spectrometry, in Wilmington, NC. The role is fully onsite, with up to 5% domestic travel, and involves developing and validating analytical methods using HPLC, LC‑MS, and GC‑MS for complex small‑molecule applications.

The candidate will perform routine and non‑routine testing, interpret data, participate in audits, and ensure GMP documentation and compliance. Exceptional organization and communication skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• PhD with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• At least 2 years of cGMP experience in a pharmaceutical or regulated environment.
• Mass‑spectrometry experience involving GC‑MS, LC‑MS, triple‑quadrupole, or QTOF systems.
• Experience performing quantitative or qualitative mass‑spectrometry work.
• Experience developing and implementing analytical methods or laboratory processes.
• Working knowledge of cGMP requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non‑routine analytical testing in support of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
• Use HPLC, LC‑MS, and GC‑MS methods to evaluate residual solvents, nitrosamines, genotoxic impurities, and unknown impurities.
• Develop analytical methods using HPLC, LC‑MS, and GC‑MS technologies.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative mass‑spectrometry analysis using instrumentation such as triple‑quadrupole and QTOF systems.
• Develop and validate analytical methods, test procedures, protocols, and technical reports.
• Perform GMP review of laboratory solutions and chromatographic data.
• Apply the scientific and theoretical basis of analytical methods when designing experiments and interpreting results.
• Evaluate data for technical accuracy, scientific validity, and completeness.
• Troubleshoot analytical challenges and solve problems of varying complexity.
• Lead laboratory investigations and root‑cause analysis.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable instrumentation, equipment, and scientific methodologies.
• Communicate technical information to clients and participate in client or regulatory audits.
• Support initiatives outside routine laboratory testing responsibilities.
• Safely handle potent compounds while following applicable laboratory and PPE requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment.
• Complete required cGMP and company training within established timelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

mass spectrometry

analytical method development

analytical method validation

GMP

small molecule

HPLC

LC-MS

GC-MS

Education

Bachelor's in Chemistry

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS

GC-MS

QTOF

Triple-quadrupole

Job description

Description

Senior Scientist I, Mass Spectrometry Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Work Arrangement: 100% onsite Travel: Up to 5% domestic travel Employment Type: Full-time Position Overview Join a pharmaceutical analytical laboratory where you will perform routine and non-routine testing in support of product development and manufacturing. In this role, you will use HPLC, LC-MS, and GC-MS technologies to develop, validate, and execute analytical methods for complex small‑molecule applications. You will work with techniques used to evaluate residual solvents, nitrosamines, genotoxic impurities, and unknown impurities. The position also includes scientific data interpretation, laboratory investigations, GMP review, technical documentation, client interaction, and participation in regulatory or client audits.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non‑routine analytical testing in support of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
• Use HPLC, LC‑MS, and GC‑MS methods to evaluate residual solvents, nitrosamines, genotoxic impurities, and unknown impurities.
• Develop analytical methods using HPLC, LC‑MS, and GC‑MS technologies.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative mass‑spectrometry analysis using instrumentation such as triple‑quadrupole and QTOF systems.
• Develop and validate analytical methods, test procedures, protocols, and technical reports.
• Perform GMP review of laboratory solutions and chromatographic data.
• Apply the scientific and theoretical basis of analytical methods when designing experiments and interpreting results.
• Evaluate data for technical accuracy, scientific validity, and completeness.
• Troubleshoot analytical challenges and solve problems of varying complexity.
• Lead laboratory investigations and root‑cause analysis.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable instrumentation, equipment, and scientific methodologies.
• Communicate technical information to clients and participate in client or regulatory audits.
• Support initiatives outside routine laboratory testing responsibilities.
• Safely handle potent compounds while following applicable laboratory and PPE requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment.
• Complete required cGMP and company training within established timelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry with at least eight years of relevant experience
• Masters degree with at least four years of relevant experience
• Ph.D. with at least two years of relevant experience
• At least two years of cGMP experience in a pharmaceutical or regulated environment
• Mass‑spectrometry experience involving GC‑MS, LC‑MS, triple‑quadrupole, or QTOF systems
• Experience performing quantitative or qualitative mass‑spectrometry work
• Experience developing and implementing analytical methods or laboratory processes
• Working knowledge of cGMP requirements
• Strong laboratory documentation skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organization and attention to detail
• Analytical problem‑solving and basic troubleshooting capabilities
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and safe laboratory practices
• Ability to plan and manage multiple assignments to meet required timelines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Skills

• mass spectrometry
• analytical method development
• analytical method validation
• GMP
• small molecule
• HPLC
• LC‑MS
• GC‑MS

Top Skills Details

• mass spectrometry
• analytical method development
• analytical method validation
• GMP
• small molecule
• HPLC
• LC‑MS
• GC‑MS

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications Previous experience working in a contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO
• Experience with pharmaceutical small‑molecule mass spectrometry, particularly LC‑MS/MS or GC‑MS applications
• Core Competencies Analytical method development and validation
• HPLC, LC‑MS, and GC‑MS testing
• Quantitative and qualitative mass spectrometry
• Triple‑quadrupole and QTOF instrumentation
• Scientific data evaluation and interpretation
• GMP laboratory documentation and data review
• Investigation and root‑cause analysis
• Technical writing
• Client communication
• Audit support
• Work planning and prioritization
• Laboratory safety and potent‑compound handling

Experience Level

Expert Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wilmington, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $46.00 - $56.00/hr.

• 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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Wilmington, NC.

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.