Harken Research
Senior Scientist / Associate Scientific Director – LC-MS/MS & HPLC
Harken Research, Pasadena, California, United States, 91122
Senior Scientist / Associate Scientific Director – LC-MS/MS & HPLC
Senior Scientist / Associate Scientific Director – LC-MS/MS & HPLC (with Growth Potential)
Compensation:
$85,000 – $140,000/year (DOE)
Opportunity:
Potential promotion to leadership role based on performance
About Us Harken Research is a rapidly growing ISO 17025-accredited analytical laboratory serving the dietary supplement, food, and cosmetic industries. Our lab is fast-paced, scientifically rigorous, and committed to delivering high-quality results. We deliver high-integrity analytical data with fast turnaround times, responsive customer service, and exceptional scientific support.
As we scale, we are hiring a
high-caliber analytical chemist
to drive method innovation, take a lead role as a problem solver, support clients, and help develop junior scientists within the lab.
Summary We are seeking a deeply analytical, curious problem-solver who loves chromatography and mass spectrometry.
This role is perfect for:
A PhD excited to take on broader responsibility and mentor others
A postdoc ready to make a tangible impact and grow quickly into leadership
A scientific problem-solver who thrives on complex analytical challenges
Key responsibilities
Develop advanced LC-MS/MS & HPLC methods
Review and approve data for release
Train and support junior scientists
Communicate results to clients
Help improve the scalability of a high-functioning laboratory
This position offers a path to senior leadership for exceptional performance.
Responsibilities Method Development & Troubleshooting
Design, optimize, and validate LC-MS/MS & HPLC methods for challenging matrices such as finished product dietary supplements, botanical extracts, and foods
Troubleshoot issues such as ion suppression, matrix interference, analyte degradation, extraction inefficiencies, and analyte binding to other matrix components for a wide range of analytes in a variety of complex matrices
Carefully select appropriate extraction solvents and sample preparation methods to ensure analyte recovery and minimize matrix interference in complex matrices
Maintain up-to-date expertise on analyte properties, including stability considerations such as light sensitivity, solution half-life, and degradation pathways
Analyze samples by LC-MS/MS, HPLC, and other analytical techniques using quantitative methods for vitamins, polyphenols, amino acids, sugars, botanical actives, and many other analytes
Data Integrity & Technical Review
Perform high-level scientific review and result justification
Apply rigorous quantitation to assess uncertainty, recovery, and repeatability
Conduct root-cause analysis for OOS investigations
Mentorship & Scientific Communication
Train scientists in analytical fundamentals and troubleshooting
Communicate technical findings clearly to both customers and internal stakeholders
Quality & Continuous Improvement
Write validation protocols and perform method validations
Improve lab workflows
Required Qualifications
PhD in Analytical Chemistry
or closely related field (exceptional MS considered with strong method-development track record)
5+ years
of hands-on LC-MS/MS and HPLC experience through
industry or academic research
Proven skill in method development, validation, and troubleshooting
Experience with a broad range of analytes and complex sample matrices
Experience with extraction workflows and analytical challenges in real-world samples
Ability to troubleshoot HPLC hardware failures and perform instrument maintenance
Strong quantitative skills (you can do calculations quickly and enjoy reviewing quantitative data and finding errors)
Clear, concise communication skills
Excellent organization, attention to detail, and communication skills
Eager to contribute to team growth and open to leadership responsibilities
Preferred Experience
Method validation under ICH and FDA guidelines
Experience working within an
ISO 17025, GLP, or GMP
quality system
Authoring SOPs, validation reports, or regulatory documentation
Experience in commercial testing or regulated environments
Familiarity with botanical, nutraceutical, or food chemistry
Experience with GC-MS or ICP-MS instrumentation
Industry experience is not required. We will welcome candidates with strong analytical chemistry fundamentals and problem-solving capability.
Who Thrives Here You will love this role if you are:
Scientifically rigorous : you care deeply about accuracy and data integrity
Curious and creative : you like untangling complex challenges
A supportive mentor : you enjoy helping others succeed
A builder : you want to shape the evolution of a growing lab
And you’re motivated by the idea of becoming a
lab leader , rather than strictly a bench scientist.
Compensation & Location
Salary ranges:
Senior Scientist: $85,000 – $120,000/year DOE
Associate Scientific Director: $110,000 – $140,000/year DOE
Location: Los Angeles area (Pasadena, CA)
Benefits
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid holidays and PTO
Opportunity for advancement into a management role
To Apply Please send your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting:
Your hands-on LC-MS/MS and/or HPLC experience
Any mentoring, project ownership, or leadership responsibilities
What excites you about this role
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Compensation:
$85,000 – $140,000/year (DOE)
Opportunity:
Potential promotion to leadership role based on performance
About Us Harken Research is a rapidly growing ISO 17025-accredited analytical laboratory serving the dietary supplement, food, and cosmetic industries. Our lab is fast-paced, scientifically rigorous, and committed to delivering high-quality results. We deliver high-integrity analytical data with fast turnaround times, responsive customer service, and exceptional scientific support.
As we scale, we are hiring a
high-caliber analytical chemist
to drive method innovation, take a lead role as a problem solver, support clients, and help develop junior scientists within the lab.
Summary We are seeking a deeply analytical, curious problem-solver who loves chromatography and mass spectrometry.
This role is perfect for:
A PhD excited to take on broader responsibility and mentor others
A postdoc ready to make a tangible impact and grow quickly into leadership
A scientific problem-solver who thrives on complex analytical challenges
Key responsibilities
Develop advanced LC-MS/MS & HPLC methods
Review and approve data for release
Train and support junior scientists
Communicate results to clients
Help improve the scalability of a high-functioning laboratory
This position offers a path to senior leadership for exceptional performance.
Responsibilities Method Development & Troubleshooting
Design, optimize, and validate LC-MS/MS & HPLC methods for challenging matrices such as finished product dietary supplements, botanical extracts, and foods
Troubleshoot issues such as ion suppression, matrix interference, analyte degradation, extraction inefficiencies, and analyte binding to other matrix components for a wide range of analytes in a variety of complex matrices
Carefully select appropriate extraction solvents and sample preparation methods to ensure analyte recovery and minimize matrix interference in complex matrices
Maintain up-to-date expertise on analyte properties, including stability considerations such as light sensitivity, solution half-life, and degradation pathways
Analyze samples by LC-MS/MS, HPLC, and other analytical techniques using quantitative methods for vitamins, polyphenols, amino acids, sugars, botanical actives, and many other analytes
Data Integrity & Technical Review
Perform high-level scientific review and result justification
Apply rigorous quantitation to assess uncertainty, recovery, and repeatability
Conduct root-cause analysis for OOS investigations
Mentorship & Scientific Communication
Train scientists in analytical fundamentals and troubleshooting
Communicate technical findings clearly to both customers and internal stakeholders
Quality & Continuous Improvement
Write validation protocols and perform method validations
Improve lab workflows
Required Qualifications
PhD in Analytical Chemistry
or closely related field (exceptional MS considered with strong method-development track record)
5+ years
of hands-on LC-MS/MS and HPLC experience through
industry or academic research
Proven skill in method development, validation, and troubleshooting
Experience with a broad range of analytes and complex sample matrices
Experience with extraction workflows and analytical challenges in real-world samples
Ability to troubleshoot HPLC hardware failures and perform instrument maintenance
Strong quantitative skills (you can do calculations quickly and enjoy reviewing quantitative data and finding errors)
Clear, concise communication skills
Excellent organization, attention to detail, and communication skills
Eager to contribute to team growth and open to leadership responsibilities
Preferred Experience
Method validation under ICH and FDA guidelines
Experience working within an
ISO 17025, GLP, or GMP
quality system
Authoring SOPs, validation reports, or regulatory documentation
Experience in commercial testing or regulated environments
Familiarity with botanical, nutraceutical, or food chemistry
Experience with GC-MS or ICP-MS instrumentation
Industry experience is not required. We will welcome candidates with strong analytical chemistry fundamentals and problem-solving capability.
Who Thrives Here You will love this role if you are:
Scientifically rigorous : you care deeply about accuracy and data integrity
Curious and creative : you like untangling complex challenges
A supportive mentor : you enjoy helping others succeed
A builder : you want to shape the evolution of a growing lab
And you’re motivated by the idea of becoming a
lab leader , rather than strictly a bench scientist.
Compensation & Location
Salary ranges:
Senior Scientist: $85,000 – $120,000/year DOE
Associate Scientific Director: $110,000 – $140,000/year DOE
Location: Los Angeles area (Pasadena, CA)
Benefits
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid holidays and PTO
Opportunity for advancement into a management role
To Apply Please send your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting:
Your hands-on LC-MS/MS and/or HPLC experience
Any mentoring, project ownership, or leadership responsibilities
What excites you about this role
#J-18808-Ljbffr