WHAT DOES AN ANALYTICAL CHEMIST DO?
The Analytical Chemist performs extraction, analysis, and characterization of extractable and leachable from study-related materials, utilizing chromatographic and spectroscopic systems. They interpret data, identify unknown compounds, and contribute to collaborative research efforts, adhering to ethical standards and company policies. Proficient in various analytical techniques and software, they actively engage in conferences and maintain up-to-date documentation.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Analytical Chemist
1. Analytical Chemist Duties
- Analytical Workflow Development: Develop, perform, and optimize quantitative targeted analytical workflows in numerous plant species using chromatography and spectroscopy techniques.
- Data Interpretation: Interpret and report on chromatography and spectrometry data using integration, deconvolution, and other cheminformatics approaches.
- Instrumentation Management: Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation such as ion chromatograph, mass spectrograph, and infrared spectrograph.
- Sample Coordination: Coordination, management, and tracking of lab samples for analysis on multiple platforms to support cross-functional research projects.
- Technology Innovation: Identify new technologies for rapid measurement of key quality indicators.
- Technique Enhancement: Support the development of extraction techniques and improve throughput with automation.
- Data Management Support: Support the development of data collection and management tools to support lab functions and productivity.
- Lab Maintenance: Keep a stocked, clean, and orderly laboratory to promote safety and productivity.
- Staff Supervision: Supervise technical staff to assist in research efforts and support and promote safety.
- Employee Development: Develop, train, and evaluate the performance of employees on a continuous basis.
- Collaboration: Maintain collaborative working relationships with other Plant Science and business departments at Plenty.
2. Analytical Chemist Details
- Sample Extraction and Analysis: Performs extraction on samples, and analysis and characterization of extractable and leachables from study-related materials.
- Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Operation: Operates a variety of chromatographic and spectroscopic systems to analyze biological and chemical elements as directed by assays or study protocols.
- Data Recording: Gathers and records data according to SOP and protocol guidelines.
- Data Evaluation and Reporting: Performs technical evaluation of data to analyze, interpret, and provide written reports on results.
- Collaborative Analysis: Works with other team members to interpret results from different instrument platforms, and work to identify any unknown compounds (structure elucidation).
- High-Res LCMS Expertise: High-Res LCMS Operation, Maintenance, and Method Development (quant and discovery).
- Flavor Compound Characterization: Characterization of flavor compounds and related sensory attributes through statistical analysis and sensory evaluation (recombinants, omission testing, etc.).
- Non-Odor/Taste Active Discovery: Experience with Non-Odor Active/Non-Taste Active discovery.
- Data Visualization Skills: Data visualization (PCA Plot, Heat Maps, etc.).
- Software Proficiency: Proficiency in Xcalibur and Compound Discoverer.
- Statistical Analysis and Modeling: Statistical analysis and building models using GC and LC data.
- Collaboration and Networking: Establish collaborative relationships with other researchers in the field through attendance at conferences, symposia, and workshops.
- Travel Requirement: Occasional domestic and international travel will be required.
- Digital Lab Management: Keep an up-to-date digital lab notebook and contribute to SOPs.
- Ethical and Professional Conduct: Follow Company policies and practices while representing in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, governmental agencies, growers, customers, etc.
3. Analytical Chemist Responsibilities
- Contamination Analysis: Execute routine contamination analysis by GC-MS, GC-FID, and FTIR.
- Method Development: Develop a new analysis method for organic contamination in liquids.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D and Applications teams to expedite the New Product Development cycle.
- Innovative Solutions: Collaborate with external facilities and bring innovative metrology solutions to Entegris.
- Analytical Instrumentation: Experiences in various analytical instruments are preferred.
- Chromatography Software Proficiency: Familiar with Chromatography Software - Empower, ChromeLeon.
- Troubleshooting Skills: Ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems.
- Teamwork: Demonstrated experience in working effectively as a member of a dynamic technical team.
- Instrument Repair Skills: Experience troubleshooting and repairing HPLCs and GCs is a plus.
- Self-Motivation and Communication: Self-motivated with good interpersonal and communication skills, and strong customer orientation.
4. Analytical Chemist Job Summary
- Organic Chemistry and Polymer Science: Required Ph.D. in organic chemistry, polymer science, or related disciplines.
- Polymer Expertise: Experience in or good understanding of polymer-related fields like processing, rheology, physical testing, structure-property relationships, and additives.
- Dielectric and Flame Retardance Expertise: Expertise in dielectric properties of materials, flame retardance, and industrial experience in the field of polymer science or formulation development.
- Interpersonal Skills: Good interpersonal skills to work in a diverse, multi-functional, multi-national team.
- Proactivity and Self-Initiative: Proactivity and self-initiative to manage priorities with minimal supervision.
- Language Proficiency: Fluent in written and spoken English and other languages.
- Project Management: Performs technical, scientific, or information assignments. Plans project approaches and routinely formulates work plans.
- Leadership and Objective Setting: May be responsible for setting and defining technical or business objectives and assessing results. May also have team leader responsibilities.
- Dedication to Excellence: Dedicated to Excellence – Sets high standards for performance and strives to be best in class through outstanding leadership at all levels.
5. Analytical Chemist Accountabilities
- Chemistry Characterization: Conduct/support product chemistry characterization studies and other Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) regulated work to support the global Crop Protection portfolio.
- Analytical Method Development: Responsible for developing and validating analytical methods for product Assay, Residual impurities, and stability testing, conducting chemical property determinations, preparing reports for regulatory submissions, serving as a study director, and responding to questions from regulators on Product.
- Instrumental Analytics Expertise: Focus on instrument-based analytics such as liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), ion chromatography (IC), LC-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), and GC-MS.
- Regulated Laboratory Environment Adaptability: Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment (such as GLP, GMP ISO, etc.).
- Analytical Sciences Proficiency: Understanding of analytical sciences with emphasis on HPLC and GC.
- Laboratory Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Ability to troubleshoot and maintain laboratory equipment and methods.
- Method Validation and SOPs Knowledge: Familiarity with method validation procedures, SOPs, and electronic systems.
- Broad Analytical Techniques Awareness: Working knowledge of other analytical methods (including wet chemical procedures, UV/Vis, FTIR, ICP, etc.).
- Advanced Instrumentation Skills: Hands-on experience with the following: LC-MS, GC-MS, IC.
- GLP Guidelines Familiarity: Familiarity and/or experience with GLP Guidelines.
6. Analytical Chemist Functions
- Analytical Equipment Operation: Use analytical lab equipment to identify and understand coating defects. Operate equipment such as Polarized Light Microscope, Stereo Zoom Microscope, Microtome, Microscopic FTIR, Gas Chromatograph, and Particle Size Analyzer.
- Experimental Analysis: Conduct lab experiments to generate evidence supporting root cause conclusions when appropriate/directed by the manager.
- Communication & Reporting: Communicate results and write lab reports for internal customers as required. Explain technical results and methods to support results/conclusions.
- Project Management: Manage multiple projects and deadlines to meet department and customer needs. Adjust priorities as instructed by the manager.
- Imaging Techniques: Ability to successfully take pictures of defects on parts and cross sections of defects.
- Reporting and Tracking: Prepare basic monthly reports and track projects as directed by managers.
- Waste Management: Move waste from the generation point to the 90-day Storage Area. Properly close and label waste containers using the NB Coatings procedure.
- Risk Management Support: Support global development centers and manufacturing sites in risk management related to chemical handling and processing.
- Standards Development: Develop, communicate, and assist with the implementation of chemical handling standards and policies.
- Compliance Leadership: Provide leadership and direction ensuring compliance with customer analytical/microbiological test requirements.
- External Testing Coordination: Coordinate with 3rd party labs to fulfill external testing requirements.
- Expert Consultation: Serve as a subject matter expert to provide support during customer and regulatory inspections, reviews, and on-site meetings.
- Testing Internalization Advice: Advise on the internalization of testing operations, as appropriate.
7. Analytical Chemist Job Description
- Microscopy Analysis: Responsible for using microscopy and microanalysis to solve a wide range of materials and manufacturing problems in multiple application areas.
- Data Interpretation & Reporting: Performing complex analyses and interpreting and reporting analytical data, monitoring and improving analytical system performance and capability.
- Technology Advancement: Maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art microscopy technology to enable the use and application of the technology.
- Team Collaboration: Work as part of a cross-functional team in partnership with Dow personnel in a variety of technology areas.
- Methodology Development: Develop a new methodology for the analysis of drug substances and drug products in support of Contract Analytical and Manufacturing Programs.
- Project Management: Responsible for the overall direction and completion of studies.
- Data Management: Accurately record and document raw data, observations, and pharmacy usage.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that work conforms to appropriate regulatory requirements, including SOPs, Protocols, US FDA Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), US FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ICH, and USP guidance.
- Analytical Chemistry Expertise: Advanced knowledge of analytical chemistry and regulatory compliance pertinent to the work being completed.
- Problem Solving: Help troubleshoot plant and customer problems.
- Equipment Implementation: Implement and verify the performance of new equipment.
- Laboratory IT Systems: Assist in adapting and implementing laboratory IT and data handling systems to the needs of the unit.
- Networking & Leveraging Technology: Network with others to leverage technology, and problem solving and prevention.
- Performance Improvement: Improve EHandS and analytical performance.
- Optimization & Training: Participate in reviews to identify opportunities to optimize the number of analyses performed online and in the lab. Follow and train others on the AWP, analytical systems, and EHandS and ODMS procedures.
8. Analytical Chemist Overview
- Chemical Analysis: Perform analysis on a wide variety of chemicals using LC-MS and HPLC. Include raw materials and finished goods containing complex matrices.
- Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot instrumentation and assay problems quickly and independently.
- Data Recording: Record results accurately and meticulously.
- Method Learning: Learn and execute new analytical methods and SOPs.
- Timely Execution: Execute all assays in a timely manner to meet strict and tight deadlines.
- Method Development: Assist in the development of new chemical analysis methods.
- Method Validation: Implement the method transfer and validation experiment.
- Project Management: Project preparation, taking part in the production meeting, and following up on the project progress and the communication internally or between departments.
- Customer Communication: Communicate with customers.
- Documentation: Initiate the relative document, such as analytical methods and QC plans.
- Training Provision: Provide training of test method, MSDS to the lab, and also technical support during production sample analysis.
- Cleaning Methodology: Develop and validate the cleaning test method, and the relative documentation.
- Project Tracking: Track the project relative to CR, DR, and OOS.
9. Analytical Chemist Details and Accountabilities
- Request Review and Alignment: Review analytical requests for value and alignment with goals.
- Request Routing: Route analytical requests to the appropriate service provider.
- Response Implementation: Implement response plans for requests.
- Scheduling and Execution: Schedule and perform work according to the Sample Plan, maintenance, and QC schedules.
- Method Development: Work with business teams to develop, implement, and verify new testing methods.
- Advanced Calibration: Schedule and perform advanced calibrations and maintenance of analytical systems.
- System Troubleshooting: Perform in-depth troubleshooting of analytical systems.
- Complex Sampling: Collect samples that involve complex procedures.
- Advanced Analysis: Perform non-routine and complex routine analyses.
- Data Monitoring & Interpretation: Monitor analytical systems, evaluate the validity of data, apply statistics, interpret results, and take appropriate action.
- Documentation and Communication: Document, communicate, and archive analytical results, calibration, and maintenance data.
- Data Consistency Assurance: Partner with the On-line Analyzer Technician to ensure consistency of on- and off-line data.
- IT Troubleshooting: Perform first-line troubleshooting of laboratory IT and data handling systems.
- Calibration & Inventory Management: Monitor and maintain calibration standards and consumable items.
- Sample Management: Manage raw material and product retain samples.
10. Analytical Chemist Tasks
- Process Chemistry Analysis: Provide analytical support for the delivery of best process chemistry/high-priority site cost.
- Investigation Support: Provide analytical technical support for non-routine, complex investigations/quality/yield/robustness issues across all product Value Streams.
- Specialist Techniques: Provide analytical support for specialist analytical techniques (e.g. LCMS etc) for the Chemistry Centre of Excellence.
- Request Management: Management/completion of analytical requests and maintenance of the request database.
- Training Development: Perform analytical training/skills development for process chemists and analytical chemists.
- Equipment Maintenance: Maintenance of lab equipment service schedules/liaise with service providers during site visits and issuing work permits.
- Troubleshooting: Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, where required.
- Capital Planning Assistance: Assist development of a long-term capital plan for the OSP1 lab and advise analytical requirements into an annual capital plan for the site.
- Procurement Assistance: Assist in the purchase/ordering of analytical lab consumables/chemicals.
- Continuous Improvement: Look for opportunities to drive/support analytical excellence and continuous improvement in the analytical functions.
- Instrumentation Learning: Interest in learning/training in new and novel instrumentation, as required.
- Safety Support: Support lab safety and lab management program.