Job Title: Senior Analytical Chemist
About the PositionAnalytical chemists at AVN are expected to provide technical support and assistance to chemists and engineers supporting customer projects. As a research organization, AVN develops and refines new analytical methods to support customer objectives. This position is safety-focused and supports the AVN culture of diversity and respect for our colleagues.
Key Responsibilities - Develop, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot analytical methods to support research and customer programs.
- Set up and conduct analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy
- Evaluate analytical data quality and recommend improvements to testing methodologies.
- Support the transfer of analytical methods between laboratories, projects, and clients.
- Participate in customer discussions to discuss analytical approaches, results, and project objectives.
- Prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external customers.
- Independently set up methods for chemical mixtures analysis using various chemical and instrumental techniques
- Use control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes.
- Prepare chemical solutions for processes following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas
- Carry out routine tasks accurately and follow strict methodologies to carry out analyses
- Record results and sometimes interpret results to present to senior colleagues
- Maintain and clean laboratory instruments and equipment
- Ensure the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced
- Use computers and perform mathematical calculations to determine compositions and for the preparation of graphs and tables
- Exercise procedural, safety, and quality requirements specified in AVN 's Safety Manual and company policies
- Train and mentor junior laboratory personnel in analytical techniques, data interpretation, and instrument operation.
- Serve as technical owner for assigned analytical instrumentation.
- Coordinate maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and vendor interactions.
Required Skills - Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
- Capable of interpreting various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with groups of customers or employees of AVN
- Able to write routine reports and correspondence
- Good note-writing skills for effective documentation
- Skilled in math to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
- High level of technical aptitude and creativity
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to lift 25 pounds
- Ability to wear all personal protective equipment
Required Experience - Bachelor's degree in chemistry preferred
- Five years of related experience
- Experience setting up, operating, developing methods for, and maintaining analytical instruments.
- Experience with three or more of the following:
- liquid chromatography (LC)
- gel-permeation chromatography (GPC)
- coulometry for CO2 and gas analysis
- thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
- differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
- Infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
Preferred Experience - Bachelor's degree in chemistry with 10-15 years' experience developing analytical methods for chemical analysis and maintaining multiple analytical instruments
or
- PhD in analytical chemistry with experience developing analytical methods for chemical analysis and maintaining multiple analytical instruments
Position Location South Charleston, WV
Work Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but laboratory technicians must be able to work irregular hours based on project needs. This could include rotating shifts, evening shifts, 10 or 12-hour workdays, or weekend coverage. Occasional overtime is required.
Position Pay Range AVN offers competitive pay based on experience level.
Benefits AVN Corporation provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health and financial well-being, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, and Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility.
