Senior Scientist (Membrane-based Chromatography)

Actalent; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability

HSA

Time Off

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Lead Scientist for membrane-based chromatography applications in Greenville, SC. You will design and execute experimental programs, develop analytical methods, and translate insights into customer-ready solutions.

You will mentor junior scientists, prepare SOPs and technical content, and collaborate across R&D, product development, manufacturing, and sales to support technology transfer and customer success.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related discipline with significant industry experience.
• Strong experience in downstream processing, chromatography, purification, or bioprocessing applications.
• Hands-on experience developing, validating, and applying analytical methods using HPLC, UPLC, fragment analyzers, and gel-based techniques.
• Direct customer-facing experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead application development projects focused on downstream purification and membrane-based chromatography technologies.
• Design, plan, and execute independent experimental programs to generate high-quality, application-relevant data.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets to inform product performance, application fit, and technical positioning.
• Develop application workflows, protocols, and technical content to support product adoption.
• Develop and implement robust analytical methods using HPLC, UPLC, fragment analyzers, gel-based techniques for bioprocess characterization; provide training and guidance.

Skills

PhD/ MS in chemical engineering

Downstream purification

HPLC/UPLC methods

Customer-facing

Mentoring

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

MS in Chemistry/Biochemistry

Master's with 3–4 years industry experience

Tools

Empower software

Job description

Job Title: Scientist (Membrane-Based Chromatography Applications)

LWe are seeking a Lead Scientist to support the application development of our membrane-based chromatography products. This role involves designing and executing complex experimental plans to generate high-quality application data, developing and optimizing analytical methods for biomolecule characterization, and translating scientific insights into customer-ready solutions. The position serves as a technical subject matter expert, collaborating closely with R&D, product development, manufacturing, and commercial teams to support technology transfer, product adoption, and customer success. In addition, the Lead Scientist provides technical leadership through mentoring junior team members, developing documentation and SOPs, and representing the company in technical presentations, conferences, and customer engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead application development projects focused on downstream purification and membrane-based chromatography technologies.
• Design, plan, and execute independent experimental programs to generate high-quality, application-relevant data.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets to inform product performance, application fit, and technical positioning.
• Develop application workflows, protocols, and technical content to support product adoption.
• Develop and implement robust analytical methods using HPLC, UPLC, fragment analyzers, gel-based assays, and related techniques for bioprocess and biomolecule characterization; provide training and technical guidance to team members.
• Proactively generate and execute study plans to address technical and development concerns and challenges through innovative and meticulous characterization and troubleshooting efforts.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new processes and products in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Proactively generate scientific insights from literature and internally generated data, and effectively share knowledge and learnings with the team.
• Partner with R&D, Product Development, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Sales teams to enable technology transfer and customer success.
• Interface with customers to provide technical insights on product use and deliver application-level support in response to customer inquiries.
• Lead and support technical presentations, application notes, and conference or customer engagements, acting as a technical representative as needed.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior scientists and team members.
• Maintain clear, accurate experimental documentation and technical reports.

Essential Skills

• PhD or MS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related discipline with significant industry experience.
• Strong experience in downstream processing, chromatography, purification, or bioprocessing applications.
• Hands-on experience developing, validating, and applying analytical methods using HPLC, UPLC, fragment analyzers, and gel-based techniques.
• Direct customer-facing experience.
• Proven ability to mentor, train, and develop junior team members.
• Ability to independently lead scientific projects and drive results.
• Excellent data analysis, documentation, and communication skills.
• Problem-solving expertise and conducting data-driven root cause analysis.
• Experience working cross-functionally in a regulated or product-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to give presentations internally and externally.
• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and effective in a fast-paced, team-based laboratory environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's (3-4 years industry experience) or PhD (1-2 years industry experience), or a Bachelor's with 10+ years, ideally from a biopharma experience with protein purification knowledge.
• Experience with Empower software is a plus.
• Secondary skills in running gels.
• The ideal candidate should be a 'people person' willing to engage with customers and integrate well into a small team.

Work Environment

The role requires a willingness to travel periodically to support conferences, trade shows, cross-site collaboration, and customer or partner engagements. The work environment is fast-paced and team-based, requiring adaptability to rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Greenville, SC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $48.00/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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Greenville,SC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

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.