Senior Scientist - Analytical Core

Illumina • San Diego, CA

7d

About The Position

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity? At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients. Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible. Position Summary As a Senior Scientist within Illumina’s Analytical Core, you will join a centralized, high-impact team providing advanced analytical expertise across R&D and product development. The Analytical Core partners broadly across the organization to solve complex scientific problems, deliver rapid analytical insight, and enable innovation across Illumina’s technologies. This role is ideal for an experienced analytical chemist with deep LC-MS expertise, including experience with both QToF and QQQ systems. Familiarity with oligonucleotide analyses is strongly preferred. The Role As a Senior Scientist in the Analytical Core, you will serve as a hands-on technical leader, applying advanced LC-MS capabilities to support discovery, development, and investigation efforts across Illumina. Working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment, you will design and execute analytical strategies, develop and optimize LC-MS methods, and interpret complex datasets for a wide range of analytes, including small molecules and oligonucleotides. You will routinely partner with cross-functional teams, delivering clear, actionable insights that support innovation while upholding Illumina’s value of Innovate with Purpose. This position is suited to a PhD-level scientist with postdoctoral and/or industry experience who is comfortable operating independently while contributing to a shared, service-oriented scientific mission. Why You You bring a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, along with substantial hands-on experience in LC-MS, ideally including QQQ instrumentation. You have direct experience with oligonucleotide analysis by LC-MS, including method development, characterization, and data interpretation. You are comfortable working with deconvolution-focused data analysis tools such as Agilent BioConfirm, or equivalent software used for oligo identity, purity, and modification analysis. You are confident designing experiments, troubleshooting complex analytical systems, and translating data into meaningful scientific insight. Curious, organized, and accountable, you thrive in environments that require prioritization across multiple projects while maintaining a high bar for scientific rigor. Your strong communication skills and collaborative mindset allow you to work effectively with scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds, contributing to a strong culture of collective achievement.

Requirements

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline
• Substantial hands-on experience in LC-MS, ideally including QQQ instrumentation.
• Direct experience with oligonucleotide analysis by LC-MS, including method development, characterization, and data interpretation.
• Comfortable working with deconvolution-focused data analysis tools such as Agilent BioConfirm, or equivalent software used for oligo identity, purity, and modification analysis.
• Confident designing experiments, troubleshooting complex analytical systems, and translating data into meaningful scientific insight.
• Curious, organized, and accountable
• Strong communication skills and collaborative mindset

Nice To Haves

• Experience with other analytical techniques, such as ICP-MS, GC-MS, and NMR, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and execute LC-MS -based experiments for small molecule & biomolecule discovery, identification, and quantitation.
• Perform oligonucleotide analysis by LC-MS, including identity confirmation, impurity profiling, and quantitative or semi-quantitative assessments.
• Apply and interpret data using Agilent BioConfirm or related software.
• Lead complex analytical investigations independently, from triaging priority to experimental design through data interpretation and presentation.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced analytical instrumentation, including LC-QQQ, LC-QTOF, and HPLC systems.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets, translating results into clear, actionable conclusions for project teams.
• Partner closely with cross-functional collaborators to define analytical strategies and deliver high-quality, timely results.
• Contribute to Core laboratory operations, including documentation, best practices, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert in LC-MS analysis, providing technical guidance and mentorship as appropriate

Benefits

• access to genomics sequencing
• family planning
• health/dental/vision
• retirement benefits
• paid time off
• Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree