NOVATRA UTAHLaboratory Chemist – Analytical Chemistry & Process Development
Full-Time | On-Site | Spanish Fork, Utah
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Base Salary: $96,000 per year ($8,000/month)
Healthcare Stipend: $600 per month ($7,200/year)
Employment: Full-Time, On-Site
Total Base Compensation + Healthcare Stipend: $103,200/year
About Novatra Utah
Novatra Utah is a science-driven manufacturing operation focused on advanced processing, formulation, analytical testing, process development, and commercial production.
We are seeking a Laboratory Chemist to support laboratory operations, analytical testing, process development, quality activities, formulation, and production support. This is a hands-on position for a chemist who enjoys working at the intersection of laboratory science, analytical chemistry, and real-world manufacturing.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work directly with laboratory and production personnel to develop, troubleshoot, validate, and improve processes and products as Novatra's Utah operation grows.
Position Summary
The Laboratory Chemist will perform laboratory testing, analytical sample preparation, formulation and process-development experiments, data analysis, technical documentation, and laboratory support activities.
This position will work closely with operations, quality, engineering, and management personnel to develop and optimize processes, troubleshoot production issues, establish analytical capabilities, and support the transition of laboratory processes into manufacturing.
The ideal candidate is a practical, scientifically rigorous chemist who is comfortable working independently and moving between laboratory and manufacturing environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform routine and non-routine laboratory testing supporting production, quality, process development, and research activities.
- Prepare samples, standards, reagents, solutions, and laboratory materials accurately according to established procedures.
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
- Support analytical testing using techniques including HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, moisture analysis, pH, potency testing, and other applicable analytical methods.
- Perform extraction, purification, formulation, and process-development experiments according to established protocols and development plans.
- Assist with development, optimization, troubleshooting, and scale-up of laboratory and manufacturing processes.
- Record laboratory observations, analytical results, calculations, and experimental data accurately and contemporaneously.
- Review analytical data for accuracy, completeness, and unexpected results and escalate deviations or anomalous findings when appropriate.
- Support analytical method development, method verification, process validation, and stability or shelf-life studies.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, instruments, glassware, workspaces, chemical inventories, and supplies in an organized and production-ready condition.
- Prepare and maintain laboratory SOPs, analytical methods, batch records, worksheets, logs, and other technical documentation.
- Follow applicable safety procedures for chemical handling, hazardous materials, waste management, PPE, and laboratory operations.
- Work collaboratively with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and management personnel to troubleshoot process and product issues.
- Assist with laboratory commissioning, equipment installation, qualification, and implementation of new analytical capabilities.
- Support laboratory and manufacturing activities during commissioning, process development, and production ramp-up.
- Perform other laboratory, analytical, formulation, and technical duties as assigned.
Required & Preferred QualificationsEducation
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline preferred.
- Equivalent relevant laboratory and industry experience may be considered.
Laboratory & Analytical Experience
- Experience in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage, chemical processing, natural products, specialty chemicals, or a related manufacturing environment preferred.
- Hands-on experience with analytical laboratory instrumentation strongly preferred.
- HPLC and/or GC experience is a significant plus.
- Strong understanding of laboratory practices, sample preparation, analytical methods, calculations, and scientific documentation.
- Experience with formulation, extraction, purification, process development, or scale-up is highly desirable.
- Ability to accurately follow SOPs and established analytical methods while applying sound scientific judgment when troubleshooting.
- Strong attention to detail, data integrity, organization, and documentation.
- Ability to work independently in a developing laboratory and manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency with standard computer applications and the ability to learn laboratory information-management and documentation systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Technical Experience
Candidates with experience in any of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:
- HPLC
- GC
- GC-MS
- UV-Vis
- Chromatographic sample preparation
- Analytical method development
- Supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography
- Cannabinoid analysis
- Terpene analysis
- Natural-product chemistry
- Pharmaceutical analysis
- Food or specialty-chemical analysis
- Extraction
- Distillation
- Purification
- Crystallization
- Formulation
- Separation processes
- Process development
- Process scale-up
- GMP
- GLP
- ISO quality systems
- Regulated laboratory environments
- Analytical method validation
- Process validation
- Stability testing
Physical & Work Requirements
- Full-time, on-site position in Spanish Fork, Utah.
- Ability to work safely in a laboratory and manufacturing environment involving chemicals, process equipment, and required PPE.
- Ability to stand and work at laboratory benches or production-support areas for extended periods.
- Ability to safely lift and move laboratory supplies, containers, and equipment components as required.
- Ability to work in a developing manufacturing environment where procedures, equipment, and processes may evolve as the operation expands.
- Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support production, laboratory testing, commissioning, or process-development activities.
Compensation & Benefits
- $96,000 annual base salary
- $600/month company healthcare stipend
- Full-time employment
- On-site position in Spanish Fork, Utah
- Direct involvement with advanced laboratory and manufacturing processes
- Opportunity to work across analytical chemistry, formulation, process development, and manufacturing
- Opportunity to help establish and expand laboratory capabilities
- Opportunity to contribute directly to process development, commercialization, and production scale-up
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a hands-on chemist who wants more responsibility than a traditional laboratory testing position provides.
The ideal candidate is scientifically rigorous, detail-oriented, organized, safety-conscious, and comfortable troubleshooting problems rather than simply following a test procedure.
This position is particularly well suited to a chemist with experience in analytical chemistry, HPLC/GC, extraction, purification, formulation, natural products, pharmaceutical chemistry, food science, specialty chemicals, or regulated manufacturing who wants to play an important role in building a laboratory and manufacturing operation.
You will have the opportunity to work directly with technical and operations personnel and see laboratory work progress from development through validation, scale-up, and commercial production.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and a brief summary of your laboratory, analytical chemistry, process development, formulation, or manufacturing experience.
Applicants are encouraged to include:
- Analytical instrumentation experience
- HPLC and/or GC experience
- Relevant technical training
- Professional certifications
- Laboratory or manufacturing experience
- Process development experience
- Experience in regulated or quality-controlled environments
- Experience with extraction, purification, formulation, or scale-up
Novatra Utah is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: From $103,200.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
