Laboratory Director

Laboratory Director Harken Research Pasadena, CA Job Details Full-time $140,000 - $180,000 a year 9 days ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Opportunities for advancement Qualifications Instrumentation troubleshooting Customer communication Teamwork Management Operations management Customer service Team leadership High-performance liquid chromatography High-performance liquid chromatographs Managing laboratory teams Bachelor's degree Attention to detail Materials analysis (analytical chemistry specialty) Leading team collaboration initiatives Mass spectrometers (MS) Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) Senior leadership Full Job Description 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 Harken Research is seeking an experienced Lab Director to serve as the senior scientific and technical authority within the laboratory. This role is highly hands-on and execution-focused. The Lab Director will oversee senior scientists, lead technical troubleshooting and data review, guide complex investigations, and ensure the scientific integrity of laboratory operations. The Lab Director will work closely with the CEO, CSO, and Lab Manager as part of the laboratory leadership team. This role is intended to fully own day-to-day scientific leadership, technical decision-making, data integrity oversight, and complex laboratory problem-solving. This is a high-impact leadership role with direct visibility to executive leadership and significant influence over the future growth and scalability of the laboratory. Duties Scientific & Technical Leadership Serve as the senior technical authority for the laboratory Lead, mentor, and support senior scientists across HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS platforms Provide high-level troubleshooting support for difficult analytical, instrumentation, chromatography, and data integrity issues Guide scientists through complex root cause investigations and technical problem-solving Review analytical data critically and identify issues related to chromatography, sample preparation, calibration, matrix interference, contamination, extraction efficiency, or instrument performance Data Review & Quality Oversight Serve as final scientific reviewer for laboratory data prior to client release Work closely with QA leadership to ensure compliance with

ISO 17025

standards, SOPs, and internal quality systems Ensure analytical results are accurate, defensible, and scientifically sound Support investigations involving OOS results, deviations, CAPAs, and technical client concerns Client Investigations & Technical Communication Serve as the primary technical lead for difficult client investigations and escalations Participate directly in client calls and technical discussions regarding unexpected results, analytical limitations, or disputed findings Communicate complex analytical concepts clearly and professionally to clients Build client confidence through strong technical competency and responsiveness Operational & Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate closely with laboratory operations leadership, QA, and the CEO to improve laboratory efficiency and scalability Help optimize scientific workflows, testing quality, and turnaround times Partner with operations leadership on scientist development, technical training, and resource planning Contribute to method development, continuous improvement, and expansion of laboratory capabilities Qualifications 15+ years of analytical chemistry experience in a commercial, contract, or third-party testing laboratory environment Deep hands-on expertise with HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation and troubleshooting Extensive experience working within an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory Strong understanding of analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and laboratory investigations Industry experience in dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or related consumer products strongly preferred Proven leadership experience managing scientists and leading technical teams Excellent written and verbal communication skills Comfortable handling technically difficult client conversations professionally and confidently Strong critical thinking and scientific decision-making abilities Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific field required M.S. or Ph.D. strongly preferred Required Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry or related field. Minimum 5 years hands-on HPLC experience. Prior supervisory or management experience in a testing laboratory. Experience in regulated environment (ISO 17025 strongly preferred). Strong analytical troubleshooting foundation. Leadership & Interpersonal Skills (Critical to Success) Highly technical and scientifically strong Hands-on leader who enjoys troubleshooting and solving complex analytical problems Able to move quickly and make sound scientific decisions in a fast-paced laboratory environment Strong sense of ownership and accountability High attention to detail and commitment to data integrity Calm and professional under pressure Ideal Background Strong candidates may come from: High-throughput analytical testing labs Method development roles within regulated environments Hybrid

R D + QC

backgrounds Dietary supplement, food, pharmaceutical, or contract testing labs We value: Scientific reasoning Operational discipline Clear communication Calm under pressure Willingness to be hands-on Compensation & Benefits $140,000 - $180,000/year (depending on experience) Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid holidays and PTO 401k with company match Opportunity for advancement To Apply Please email your resume along with cover letter.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$140,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

HPLC:

5 years (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Pasadena, CA 91105 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

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

Work Location:

In person