Associate Scientist, Purification

Satomic•San Diego, CA

2d•$80,000 - $115,000

About The Position

Satomic is seeking a hands-on analytical chemist to operate its chromatography-based purification fleet, which includes supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and reverse-phase liquid chromatography (LC) instrumentation with mass-spectrometry-driven detection and fraction collection. The role supports a high-throughput purification platform by keeping instruments reliable, workflows standardized, and samples moving through the queue while protecting data quality and sample integrity. Working with the Purification team, the Associate Scientist will perform high-throughput, mass-directed purifications; conduct analytical screening; maintain and troubleshoot instruments; and manage samples after purification, including fraction analysis, evaporation, consolidation, quality-control analysis, tracking, and reporting. This is a lab-based role in a fast-paced, high-throughput environment. Preparative reverse-phase LC experience is expected, while SFC purification experience is strongly preferred. The role will help establish day-to-day operating practices for a new team and new instrumentation. Over time, the scientist is expected to independently run routine purifications, contribute to throughput and turnaround targets, improve methods and workflows, support software and automation testing, and train new team members. The position offers a base salary of $80,000–$115,000, meaningful equity ownership, and competitive benefits.

Requirements

M.S. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related field with 0–2+ years of relevant industry experience, or a B.S. with 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
Hands-on experience purifying organic small molecules by preparative chromatography; preparative LC experience is expected.
Experience with mass-directed purification and fraction collection.
Proficiency with analytical LC/MS and/or SFC/MS for screening and purity assessment.
Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting LC, LC/MS, or SFC/MS instruments.
Strong record-keeping skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team.

Nice To Haves

SFC purification experience; strongly preferred.
Experience in a high-throughput purification or compound-library environment.
Familiarity with Waters analytical and preparative SFC instruments and software.
Familiarity with Agilent LC/MS systems.
Exposure to purification informatics, lab automation, or liquid handlers.

Responsibilities

Run daily preparative SFC and reverse-phase LC purifications from the sample queue, including setup, mass-directed fraction collection, and data review.
Perform analytical SFC and LC/MS screening of crude samples to select conditions from the standardized method set.
Carry out preventive maintenance, daily system suitability checks, and first-line troubleshooting across SFC/MS, LC, and LC/MS systems; coordinate vendor service visits with Laboratory Operations.
Handle post-purification work, including fraction consolidation, evaporation, outgoing-product QC analysis, and accurate sample tracking.
Manage solvents, waste, columns, and consumables for the purification fleet with the Laboratory Operations team.
Write and maintain SOPs for instrument operation, fraction collection, and routine maintenance.
Maintain accurate documentation, sample tracking, and data analysis to support data quality and sample integrity.
Raise workflow issues and propose improvements to the Purification team.
Partner with chemists and technicians to understand incoming samples and meet purity and quantity targets.
Support software and automation teams during purification workflow testing and rollout.
Develop expertise in high-throughput, mass-directed SFC and LC purification; contribute to method development and workflow improvements as experience grows.
Train new team members on instruments, methods, and SOPs.