Cannabis ChemLab is seeking an experienced Analytical Chemist to join our fast-paced cannabis testing laboratory. The primary focus of this position is operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting UPLC systems used for the analysis of cannabis and cannabis-derived products.
The ideal candidate has practical chromatography experience and is comfortable working with UPLC instrumentation and Agilent OpenLab CDS. This is a hands-on laboratory position requiring accuracy, efficiency, sound scientific judgment, and the ability to manage multiple analytical priorities.
Cannabis ChemLab is an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited and DEA-registered analytical testing laboratory. Team members receive extensive hands-on experience and will be trained to operate additional analytical platforms as they demonstrate competency and progress within the laboratory.
Primary Responsibilities
- Prepare cannabis samples, standards, reagents, mobile phases, and quality-control materials for analysis.
- Operate UPLC systems using Agilent OpenLab CDS.
- Create and manage analytical sequences, processing methods, calibration curves, integrations, and result sets.
- Review chromatographic data for system suitability, retention-time accuracy, peak resolution, integration quality, calibration performance, and quality-control acceptance.
- Perform routine instrument maintenance, including changing columns, seals, frits, filters, tubing, solvents, and other consumable components.
- Troubleshoot pressure fluctuations, leaks, carryover, retention-time shifts, peak-shape problems, baseline instability, and other chromatographic issues.
- Follow approved test methods, standard operating procedures, quality-system requirements, and controlled documentation practices.
- Accurately document sample preparation, instrument operation, calculations, observations, deviations, and analytical results.
- Evaluate quality-control failures and assist with investigations, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
- Maintain complete, accurate, attributable, and traceable laboratory records.
- Support method verification, method validation, proficiency testing, and continuous method improvement.
- Help maintain laboratory readiness for ISO/IEC 17025 assessments, regulatory inspections, and internal audits.
- Work efficiently with laboratory leadership and other analysts to meet turnaround-time expectations without compromising data quality.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory workspace.
- Cross-train on additional laboratory instrumentation and analytical methods as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, or a closely related scientific field.
- Practical experience operating HPLC or UPLC instrumentation in an analytical laboratory.
- Experience using chromatography data systems to build sequences, process data, review calibration curves, and evaluate chromatographic results.
- Understanding of chromatographic principles, including retention, resolution, selectivity, peak shape, mobile-phase preparation, gradient operation, and system suitability.
- Experience preparing analytical standards, calibration solutions, quality-control samples, and laboratory reagents.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records in a regulated laboratory environment.
- Ability to follow controlled procedures and consistently meet quality-control requirements.
- Ability to prioritize assignments and work effectively in a fast-paced laboratory.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with UPLC instrumentation and Agilent OpenLab CDS.
- Experience analyzing cannabis, hemp, botanical, food, pharmaceutical, environmental, or other complex matrices.
- Experience performing cannabinoid potency analysis by liquid chromatography.
- Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory requirements.
- Experience with method development, verification, validation, troubleshooting, or technical data review.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems and electronic data-integrity requirements.
- Experience working in a DEA-registered or otherwise regulated analytical laboratory.
- Compensation and Employment Conditions
- Compensation: $32 an hour
- The stated compensation is fixed and non-negotiable.
- Relocation assistance is not available.
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without current or future employer sponsorship. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Pay: $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
