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Company Description Harken Research is an

ISO17025

accredited testing laboratory located in Los Angeles with two core business units: consumer product testing and pharmaceutical contract research. Within the consumer product testing unit dietary supplements, food, and cosmetics are the focus - with additional testing services catering to other industries. Our strengths are our ability to offer customized testing and problem solving to address client needs; excellent customer service; and quick turnaround times. Summary We are seeking an experienced ICP-MS Chemist to join our analytical chemistry team in Pasadena. The ICP-MS Chemist will be responsible for routine and non-routine elemental analysis, including sample preparation, instrument operation, data review, troubleshooting, instrument maintenance, and method development and validation. We are looking for a hands-on analytical chemist with at least 5 years of relevant laboratory experience who can independently manage ICP-MS analyses, recognize questionable data or instrument performance, and troubleshoot challenging matrices, interferences, contamination, and instrument issues. This position requires someone who is comfortable taking ownership of their work in a fast-paced commercial laboratory environment while maintaining strong standards for analytical quality and documentation. Duties Perform ICP-MS analysis of dietary supplements, foods, raw materials, botanicals, and other complex matrices. Perform routine heavy metals testing, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, as well as broader elemental and mineral panels. Prepare samples using microwave digestion, acid digestion, dilution, and other appropriate sample preparation techniques. Prepare calibration standards, internal standards, QC samples, spikes, blanks, continuing calibration verification samples, and other analytical solutions. Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot ICP-MS instrumentation. Perform routine preventative maintenance and identify instrument components requiring cleaning, replacement, repair, or service. Independently troubleshoot instrument performance issues and coordinate outside service when necessary. Review calibration performance, internal standard responses, recoveries, duplicates, blanks, continuing calibration verifications, and other QC data. Recognize questionable, atypical, or potentially erroneous analytical results before reporting. Investigate out-of-specification, atypical, and questionable analytical results. Troubleshoot matrix effects, spectral and non-spectral interferences, contamination, poor recoveries, drift, carryover, and other analytical issues. Determine appropriate dilution, digestion, interference correction, or other strategies for challenging samples. Develop, optimize, verify, and validate ICP-MS methods for new matrices and analytes. Perform method verification and validation studies and prepare appropriate documentation. Review and interpret analytical data before final reporting. Maintain complete and accurate analytical records in accordance with laboratory SOPs and

ISO/IEC 17025

requirements. Maintain organized records of instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs. Participate in proficiency testing, corrective actions, and investigations when required. Assist with continuous improvement of analytical methods, workflows, quality, efficiency, and turnaround times. Work closely with Quality, laboratory management, sample preparation personnel, and other analytical departments to resolve technical and operational issues. Train and assist junior scientists or technicians when appropriate. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory work environment. Essential Functions Working in a stationary position for extended periods of time Working on a computer for extended periods of time Working in a laboratory for extended periods of time Maneuvering objects weighing up to 25 pounds in the course of routine laboratory work Communication with employees including laboratory, administrative, and sales personnel; ownership; vendors; contractors; and clients Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline. Minimum 5 years of hands-on analytical laboratory experience . Strong hands-on experience with ICP-MS . Ability to independently operate, maintain, and troubleshoot ICP-MS instrumentation. Experience with microwave digestion, acid digestion, and preparation of complex sample matrices. Strong understanding of calibration, internal standards, interference correction, matrix effects, detection and quantitation limits, contamination control, and analytical QC. Strong understanding of appropriate use and interpretation of blanks, spikes, duplicates, calibration verification samples, and other quality-control measures. Demonstrated ability to recognize questionable analytical data and systematically investigate potential causes. Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot analytical methods and instrument performance. Strong attention to detail and commitment to analytical data quality. Ability to manage multiple analyses and priorities in a fast-paced commercial laboratory. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preferred Experience Experience working in an

ISO/IEC 17025

accredited laboratory. Experience in dietary supplement, food, environmental, pharmaceutical, or other regulated analytical laboratories. Experience analyzing dietary supplements, foods, botanicals, ingredients, and raw materials. Experience with heavy metals and multi-element mineral analysis. Experience working with challenging or unusual sample matrices. Experience investigating contamination, matrix effects, analytical interferences, and difficult recoveries. Experience with method development, optimization, verification, and validation. Experience preparing technical documentation related to method validation, investigations, or corrective actions. Experience training junior laboratory personnel. Compensation & Benefits $75,000 - $90,000/year (depending on experience) Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid holidays and PTO 401k with company match Opportunity for advancement into a senior technical or management role To Apply Please send your resume and a cover letter describing: Your experience with ICPMS Specific methods you have developed, validated, or improved Examples of troubleshooting challenges you have solved Any leadership or mentorship experience (formal or informal)

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Experience:

HPLC:

1 year (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Pasadena, CA 91105 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Pasadena, CA 91105: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person