Analytical Chemist, Food Department

Job Summary

The Analytical Chemist, Food Department, working in an accredited commercial laboratory, performs a variety of scientific and analytical laboratory activities with minimal supervision. This position is specifically focused on food chemistry and food analysis, with an emphasis on chromatographic techniques and instrumentation.

Essential Functions

• Follow established SOPs and adhere to applicable state, federal, client, and accrediting-body requirements.
• Prepare and process food and related samples for chemical and instrumental analysis.
• Perform sample preparation, extraction, dilution, filtration, and other applicable preparation techniques.
• Prepare and use standards, solutions, reagents, and quality-control materials required for analytical testing.
• Operate specialized laboratory instrumentation, including GC, GC/MS, HPLC/LC, LC/MS, and related analytical equipment.
• Perform instrument setup, calibration, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting.
• Analyze chromatographic data and evaluate analytical results for accuracy, quality, and consistency.
• Recognize unusual results, instrument issues, method problems, or other conditions that may affect data quality and appropriately escalate or investigate them.
• Perform analytical testing in accordance with established methods and laboratory quality requirements.
• Support method verification, validation, implementation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement activities as assigned.
• Assist with investigations of atypical, unexpected, or out-of-specification analytical results.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date laboratory notebooks, worksheets, logs, equipment records, and other required documentation.
• Accurately enter and review analytical data in the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Monitor assigned workload and communicate sample backlog, turnaround-time concerns, or other operational issues.
• Participate in laboratory quality initiatives, audits, proficiency testing, and other activities as assigned.
• Provide technical assistance and knowledge-sharing to other laboratory personnel as appropriate.
• May serve as a technical resource or SME for assigned food chemistry methods, instrumentation, or processes.
• May assist with training and mentoring analysts in applicable analytical procedures and instrumentation.
• Comply with and promote all Safety and Quality programs.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Food Science, Food Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on laboratory experience in a commercial, industrial, food testing, manufacturing, environmental or other professional laboratory setting, operating and/or analyzing data from GC, GC/MS, HPLC/LC, LC/MS, or comparable chromatographic instrumentation. Academic laboratory experience alone does not satisfy this requirement.
• Working knowledge of laboratory analytical principles, terminology, practices, techniques, and instrumentation.
• Experience with sample preparation, standards, calibration, quality control practices, and laboratory documentation.
• Ability to accurately interpret analytical data and recognize potential analytical or instrumentation issues.
• Ability to effectively prioritize work and manage time to meet established deadlines and rush orders.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity.
• Computer literacy and ability to work effectively with laboratory information systems and other computerized systems.
• Ability to work safely with laboratory chemicals, instrumentation, and equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a food chemistry, food testing, food manufacturing, or analytical chemistry laboratory.
• Hands-on experience with both GC and LC/HPLC platforms.
• Experience with GC/MS and/or LC/MS.
• Experience analyzing complex food matrices.
• Experience with chromatographic method troubleshooting and optimization.
• Experience with analytical method development, verification, or validation.
• Experience interpreting chromatographic data and investigating unexpected analytical results.
• Experience working within an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory or another regulated/accredited analytical laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with FDA, AOAC, or other applicable food testing requirements and analytical methodologies.
• Previous experience serving as a technical resource, trainer, lead analyst, or SME.
• Food chemistry expertise with a strong understanding of food composition and analytical testing.