Research and Development Scientist

NSF•Traverse City, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Cambium Analytica is expanding its analytical laboratory operations in Traverse City, Michigan, to support growth in dietary supplements, food and beverage, ingredients and botanicals, and cosmetics testing. The Scientist — Chemistry is a hands-on R&D role focused on executing analytical method development, optimization, validation, and verification work under the direction of a Senior Scientist. This role primarily utilizes liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric and UV detection, and supports complementary wet chemistry and bench techniques. The Scientist will execute experimental work, document results, draft method and validation documents, and collaborate with senior team members to troubleshoot technical challenges. The ideal candidate is a careful, curious, hands-on chemist who takes ownership of their work.

Requirements

B.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline. An M.S. is acceptable and welcome but not required.
Minimum of 1–3 years of hands-on analytical chemistry experience in a laboratory setting (contract lab, pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, food testing, academic research lab, or equivalent). Recent graduates with strong relevant internship or research experience will be considered.
Hands-on experience with liquid chromatography, including both LC-MS and HPLC-UV/ DAD platforms — including sample preparation, instrument operation, method execution, and basic data interpretation.
Proficiency with chromatography data systems such as ChemStation, MassHunter, Empower, or equivalent.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document experimental work clearly in laboratory notebooks and draft sections of technical reports.
Demonstrated attention to detail, careful bench technique, and ability to follow complex written procedures precisely.
Working familiarity with good laboratory practices and basic quality systems expectations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with wet chemistry and classical bench techniques, including titrations (acidbase, Karl Fischer, redox) and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Experience analyzing natural product matrices — dietary supplements, botanicals, functional foods, ingredients, or equivalent.
Exposure to compendial methods (USP, FCC, AOAC) and an understanding of how compendial verification differs from full validation.
Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, even at an introductory level.
Experience with additional analytical techniques such as GC, ICP-MS, FTIR, or related instrumentation.
Exposure to LIMS systems or electronic laboratory documentation tools.
M.S. in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline.

Responsibilities

Execute method development, optimization, and troubleshooting work on LC-MS and HPLC-UV/DAD platforms under the direction of a Senior Scientist.
Perform validation and verification experiments on compendial and in-house methods, following protocols designed with the senior team — including accuracy, precision, specificity, LOD/LOQ, linearity, and system suitability studies as applicable.
Select and evaluate columns, mobile phases, sample preparation approaches, and detection parameters under guidance, developing increasing judgment over time.
Troubleshoot chromatographic and instrument issues — poor peak shape, retention drift, sensitivity loss, baseline noise, carryover — and escalate appropriately when problems require senior input.
Prepare mobile phases, reagents, standards, and samples with careful attention to technique, accuracy, and documentation.
Execute bench chemistry techniques including titrations (acid-base, Karl Fischer, redox), UV/Vis spectroscopy, gravimetric analysis, and related classical methods.
Maintain precise, accurate technique on balances, pipettes, glassware, and related lab equipment — recognizing that classical methods demand careful hands and attention to small details.
Support compendial wet chemistry methods from USP, FCC, AOAC, and equivalent frameworks, including verification under ISO 17025.
Contribute to sample preparation workflows that support both chromatographic and bench methods, including extraction, dilution, filtration, and derivatization as needed.
Record all experimental work in Cambium Analytica's method development pipeline, following documentation standards for laboratory notebooks, data files, and versioned documents.
Draft sections of controlled documents — test methods (TM), validation protocols (VP), validation reports (VR), and verification reports — for senior review and finalization.
Analyze chromatographic and spectroscopic data using vendor software (ChemStation, MassHunter, Empower, or equivalent), and present results clearly to the senior team.
Maintain audit-ready records — raw data, calculations, controls, deviations — that can withstand internal quality review and external accreditation inspection.
Flag anomalies, out-of-specification results, and deviations promptly rather than assuming they will resolve themselves.
Work alongside other scientists on the R&D team, contributing to shared projects, crosstraining, and team problem-solving.
Participate actively in team meetings, technical reviews, and method discussions — asking questions, offering observations, and absorbing knowledge from more experienced team members.
Take ownership of your own development: identify gaps in your technical knowledge, pursue learning opportunities, and seek feedback from Senior Scientists.
Over time, take on increasing project scope and independence as capability grows.
Perform routine maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and system suitability checks on LC-MS and HPLC instruments under guidance from senior team members.
Monitor reagent, solvent, consumable, and reference standard inventories relevant to active projects, and flag items requiring reorder.
Maintain a clean, organized bench and shared lab space consistent with good laboratory practice and safety expectations.
Support method transfer activities when methods move from R&D into the production analytical team — including training support, troubleshooting, and documentation clarification.
Partner with Quality on verification and validation work as directed, ensuring compliance and documentation expectations are met.
Perform additional duties as the role evolves or as directed by the Senior Scientist or Director of R&D.