Technician, Purification

Socket.dev; Monrovia (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a detail-oriented Technician to join our Analytical and Purification group. You will support synthetic chemistry programs by identifying, purifying, and characterizing small-molecule compounds using chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques.

You will operate an open-access purification service, deliver high-purity compounds and analytical data to requestors, and maintain instrumentation and workflows that keep the discovery pipeline moving.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with analytical and preparative chromatography (HPLC/UPLC, prep-HPLC).
• Knowledge of reverse/normal phase chromatography and mobile/stationary phase selection.
• Strong attention to detail, data integrity, and sample tracking.
• Ability to manage high throughput in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in a collaborative setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize LC/Prep-HPLC methods for purification and identification of compounds.
• Run high-throughput analysis and verify identity/purity by LC-MS and UV.
• Support walk-up LC-MS and purification service with fast turnaround.
• Track sample identity, recovery, and yield across workflows.
• Perform routine maintenance and calibration of instruments; coordinate vendor service.
• Maintain organized electronic and paper records in accordance with data integrity standards.
• Follow SOPs and maintain safe lab practices and waste management.

Skills

HPLC/UPLC operating

Analytical data handling

Attention to detail

High-throughput management

Written/verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

HPLC/Prep-HPLC systems

Mass spectrometry

NMR (when needed)

Chromatography software (ChemStation/OpenLab, MassLynx)

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented Technician to join our Analytical and Purification group. In this role you will support synthetic chemistry programs by identifying, purifying, and characterizing small-molecule compounds using chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques. You will help operate an open-access / walk-up purification service, deliver high-purity compounds and analytical data back to requestors, and maintain the instrumentation and workflows that keep the discovery pipeline moving.

Technical operations (80%) – Part of analytical and purification chemistry efforts involving instrument operation and maintenance, sample handling and tracking, and delivering on upstream requestor demands on fast and flexible timelines.

Continuous Improvement/Ad-Hoc Projects (20%) – R&D efforts to improve internal capabilities as opportunities and business needs dictates and arises.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize analytical and preparative methods to assess and purify compounds on LC/SFC-MS platforms for the separation, identification, and isolation of compounds submitted by client chemists using reversed-phase and normal-phase prep-HPLC, mass-directed prep-HPLC, and flash chromatography.
• Run high-throughput analysis and characterization of crude reaction mixtures and purified compounds, confirming identity and purity by UPLC/HPLC-UV, LC-MS, and (as needed) NMR.
• Support a walk-up / open-access LC-MS and purification service, assessing incoming samples and returning purified material and data with quick turnaround.
• Accurately track sample identity, recovery, and yield through analytical and purification workflows.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of analytical and preparative instrumentation and associated software, escalating and coordinating service with vendors as needed.
• Maintain accurate, current, and well-organized records of all work either on paper or digitally in accordance with laboratory data integrity and safety standards.
• Follow all safe laboratory practices and contribute to a clean, well-run shared instrument environment including following all SOP, safety procedures and training, and proper waste management and disposal.

Assuming the completion of laboratory technical operations as listed above as priority above all other tasks, additional opportunities may include:

• Directly assist in, or provide constructive feedback to improve workflow efficiency, throughput, and chemistry performance, and help implement best practices.
• Engage in cross-team projects and deliverables.

Experience and Qualifications

Part of Terray’s success is nurtured by a hands-on work environment where everyone is accountable, vested in a vision of excellence, and actively taking part in the success of the business. Terray supports a positive work environment where employees can feel engaged, recognized, and empowered to be creative.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with analytical and preparative scale chromatography — HPLC/UPLC and prep-HPLC
• Working knowledge of chromatographic principles such as reverse and normal phase chromatography, mobile/stationary phase selection, and related chemical knowledge
• Very strong attention to detail, sample tracking discipline, and data integrity habits.
• Ability to manage a high sample throughput and competing priorities in a high-throughput, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; works effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, cross-functional team.

Preferred Qualifications

• B.S. with 1–3+ years of relevant industry experience preferred for this level, or M.S. with 0+ years of experience.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot chromatography and MS hardware and software (e.g., Agilent 1100/1200/1260/1290 series with ChemStation/OpenLab, Waters systems with MassLynx/FractionLynx, ThermoFisher XCalibur/Chromeleon, or comparable).
• Experience with mass spectrometry/gas phase chemistry and other hyphenated techniques (LC-MS, GC-MS, MS-MS) for compound identification.
• Knowledge of small molecule and general synthetic chemistry.
• Experience with MS-directed / mass-triggered preparative purification and automated open-access purification platforms.
• NMR interpretation for structure confirmation and purity assessment.
• Experience supporting medicinal chemistry or small-molecule drug discovery programs in a pharma or CRO setting.
• Familiarity with instrument automation, electronic lab notebooks, and chromatography data systems.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Laboratory-based role requiring routine work with solvents and reagents under appropriate engineering controls and PPE.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift laboratory items (typically up to ~40 lbs, e.g., solvent containers, plastic consumables).

Schedule

The person hired in this role will complete a 30-day training period with the existing Terray Purification team on a Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM schedule before switching over to a permanent Saturday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Saturday 4-day, 10-hour schedule, depending on the employee's choice prior to training.

Compensation Details

$70,500–$78,000 annually, depending on experience. Terray’s salary ranges are designed to be competitive and are benchmarked against market base salary plus bonus within our industry and market. We align pay to role scope, skill level, and impact.

Benefits

We invest heavily in benefits because taking care of our people matters. Our programs are benchmarked at the top of the Southern California market and designed to provide meaningful support across every stage of life. Benefits include participation in the Company’s stock option plan, a 3% retirement safe harbor contribution, fully paid health, dental, vision insurance for our employees, spouse, partner and families as well as above-market life insurance, disability coverage, and much more to explore during the offer process.