Research and Development Scientist

Cambium Analytica — an NSF company — 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 contributing to that expansion, focused on executing analytical method development, optimization, validation, and verification work under the direction of a Senior Scientist. 
This Scientist works primarily within liquid chromatography — including both mass spectrometric and UV detection — and supports complementary wet chemistry and bench techniques as needed. Day-to-day, the Scientist executes experimental work, documents results in Cambium Analytica's method development pipeline, drafts sections of controlled method and validation documents, and partners with senior team members to troubleshoot technical challenges. 
We are looking for a careful, curious, hands-on chemist who takes ownership of their work, c

1. Liquid Chromatography Method Work 

• 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. 

2. Wet Chemistry & Bench Techniques 

• 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. 

3. Documentation & Data Integrity 

• 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. 

4. Team Contribution & Professional Growth 

• 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. 

Secondary Roles & Responsibilities 

1. Laboratory & Instrument Support 

• 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. 

   

2. Cross-Functional Support 

• 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. 

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