Associate Scientist – Water Activity, Foreign Material and Moisture Testing
Company: ChRi Laboratories, Inc.
Location: Minnesota
Department: Cannabis Analytical Testing Laboratory
Reports To: Laboratory Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
ChRi Laboratories is seeking a detail-oriented Laboratory Technician to perform water activity, foreign material inspection, and moisture content testing on cannabis and hemp samples. The technician will prepare and analyze samples, operate and maintain laboratory equipment, document results accurately, and ensure compliance with approved standard operating procedures (SOPs), ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, and applicable Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management regulations.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, a commitment to data integrity, and the ability to work effectively in a regulated laboratory environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Sample Receipt and Preparation
- Receive, verify, label, and prepare cannabis and hemp samples for testing.
- Confirm sample identification and maintain chain-of-custody requirements throughout the testing process.
- Inspect samples for condition, packaging integrity, quantity, and suitability for analysis.
- Homogenize samples and obtain representative test portions according to approved procedures.
- Prevent sample contamination, deterioration, loss, and mix-ups during preparation and testing.
- Store samples under appropriate environmental and security conditions.
Water Activity Testing
- Perform water activity testing on cannabis flower, hemp, pre-rolls, and other applicable products using approved laboratory methods.
- Operate water activity meters according to manufacturer instructions and laboratory SOPs.
- Perform daily instrument checks and calibration verifications using certified standards.
- Confirm that readings meet established quality-control and method-acceptance criteria.
- Clean and maintain sample cups, sensors, chambers, and related equipment.
- Document instrument readings, calibration results, observations, and testing conditions accurately.
Moisture Content Testing
- Perform moisture content analysis using approved moisture analyzers, loss-on-drying procedures, or other validated methods.
- Accurately weigh samples using calibrated analytical balances.
- Verify instrument settings, including sample weight, drying temperature, drying time, and endpoint criteria.
- Review results for compliance with established specifications and quality-control requirements.
- Clean and maintain moisture analyzers, balances, sample pans, and associated equipment.
- Immediately report unusual results, equipment problems, or testing deviations to laboratory management.
Foreign Material Inspection
- Visually inspect cannabis and hemp samples for foreign material using approved procedures and appropriate magnification equipment.
- Examine samples for visible contaminants, including hair, insects, insect fragments, soil, dirt, sand, stones, glass, plastic, metal, manufacturing debris, and other extraneous material.
- Identify and document evidence of mold, mildew, abnormal discoloration, or other questionable sample conditions.
- Separate, weigh, photograph, or document foreign material when required by the approved method or SOP.
- Calculate and report foreign material results according to laboratory procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Escalate suspected contamination, unusual findings, and potentially nonconforming samples for technical review.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Perform all testing according to approved SOPs, validated or verified methods, and manufacturer instructions.
- Comply with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and applicable Minnesota cannabis and hemp testing regulations.
- Follow Good Documentation Practices and laboratory data-integrity requirements.
- Ensure records are accurate, legible, contemporaneous, original, complete, and traceable.
- Complete laboratory worksheets, instrument logs, equipment-use records, cleaning logs, and quality-control documentation.
- Accurately enter sample information, observations, calculations, and test results into the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
- Review results and supporting documentation for completeness before submitting them for technical review.
- Report deviations, nonconforming work, out-of-specification results, and equipment malfunctions immediately.
- Assist with investigations, corrective actions, preventive actions, proficiency testing, competency assessments, and audits.
- Protect confidential client, sample, and laboratory information.
Equipment and Laboratory Maintenance
- Operate water activity meters, moisture analyzers, analytical balances, microscopes or magnification devices, grinders, and other related laboratory equipment.
- Perform routine equipment cleaning, calibration verification, preventive maintenance, and function checks.
- Maintain clean, organized, and properly labeled testing areas.
- Monitor inventory levels for sample containers, calibration standards, cleaning materials, personal protective equipment, and other supplies.
- Notify laboratory management when supplies, repairs, or replacement parts are needed.
- Follow all chemical hygiene, biological safety, waste-disposal, and workplace safety procedures.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, food science, laboratory science, or a related discipline.
- A bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline is preferred.
- Previous experience in an analytical, cannabis, hemp, food, environmental, pharmaceutical, or quality-control laboratory is preferred.
- Ability to follow detailed written procedures and perform repetitive tasks accurately.
- Basic knowledge of laboratory safety, sample preparation, equipment operation, and quality-control practices.
- Strong mathematical skills and the ability to perform basic laboratory calculations.
- Proficiency with computers, Microsoft Office applications, and electronic data-entry systems.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience operating water activity meters, moisture analyzers, analytical balances, microscopes, or comparable laboratory equipment.
- Experience inspecting botanical, agricultural, food, cannabis, or hemp samples for foreign material.
- Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025, Good Laboratory Practices, or another regulated quality system.
- Experience using a LIMS and electronic chain-of-custody system.
- Familiarity with Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management testing requirements.
- Understanding of the relationship between water activity, moisture content, microbial growth, product stability, and cannabis quality.
Required Competencies
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
- Commitment to quality and data integrity
- Ability to follow controlled procedures
- Sound judgment and observational skills
- Reliability and accountability
- Effective organization and time management
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Willingness to learn and accept additional laboratory training
- Ability to manage multiple samples and testing priorities without compromising quality
Physical and Work Requirements
- Ability to sit or stand at a laboratory workstation for extended periods.
- Ability to perform repetitive weighing, sample preparation, visual inspection, and data-entry activities.
- Ability to distinguish small particles and sample abnormalities visually, with corrective lenses or magnification when necessary.
- Ability to lift and carry laboratory supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including a laboratory coat, gloves, and safety glasses.
- Ability to work safely around cannabis and hemp materials, laboratory chemicals, and sample-grinding equipment.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends when testing volume or regulatory deadlines require it.
Training and Competency
The selected candidate must successfully complete required laboratory training and demonstrate competency before independently performing or reporting testing. Ongoing competency assessments and continuing education will be required in accordance with ChRi Laboratories’ quality system.
Equal Employment Opportunity
ChRi Laboratories, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $48,000.00 - $54,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
Work Location: In person
