Analytical Chemist - AKTA Specialist

Actalent•Noblesville, IN

45d•$40 - $48•Onsite

About The Position

We're seeking a skilled and forward-thinking Chromatography Systems Scientist to join our advanced materials purification team. This role centers on operating and optimizing automated chromatography platforms for aqueous separation of high-value inorganic compounds. The ideal candidate will integrate chemical analysis, process engineering, and automation to support the development and scale-up of solvent-free purification workflows for specialty metals and oxides.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
1+ years Experience with Cytiva AKTA Chromatography
Solid understanding of aqueous separation chemistry and metal purification techniques.
Experience with buffer preparation, column packing, and method optimization.
Strong documentation and troubleshooting capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline.
Experience in refining rare-earths, lithium, or other strategic metals.
Familiarity with chromatography scale-up and continuous separation systems.
Knowledge of trace analysis tools such as ICP-MS or ICP-OES.
Exposure to process analytical technology and automated fraction collection systems.

Responsibilities

Operate, calibrate, and maintain ÄKTA chromatography systems and UNICORN control software for aqueous metal separation and purification.
Operate and maintain automated chromatography systems and control software for metal separation and purification.
Design and refine separation methods using ion-exchange, chelating, or size-based column technologies.
Prepare and condition columns for use with acidic, high-ionic-strength, or complex aqueous solutions.
Execute gradient and stepwise elution protocols while monitoring conductivity, pH, UV absorbance, and flow rates.
Collaborate with engineering and R&D teams to transition lab-scale methods to pilot and production environments.
Conduct mass balance assessments and generate recovery/purity profiles to support process validation.
Maintain detailed records of runs, chromatograms, and standard operating procedures.
Troubleshoot system components including fluidics, detectors, and valves to ensure consistent performance.
Train lab personnel on chromatography setup, operation, and maintenance best practices.
Support integration of analytical data with digital systems for automated reporting and process control.