Osmo

Senior Scientist, Analytical Chemistry

Osmo$150K — $180K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Flavor/Fragrance Chemistry, or related field with 5+ years of experience, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Hands-on expertise in GC-MS method development and validation for quantitation and profiling.
  • Familiarity with MassHunter or similar analytical platforms.
  • Advanced proficiency in sample preparation for complex matrices with innovative approach design.
  • Demonstrated autonomy in defining analytical projects and coordinating execution without supervision.
  • Ability to direct technical team efforts, author SOPs, and establish quality control frameworks.
  • Excellent communication skills for translating analytical concepts to non-chemistry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Own the analytical strategy for GC-MS programs, including method design and validation.
  • Define sample preparation methodologies for fragrance compounds extraction from various matrices.
  • Maintain and enhance the high-throughput analytical pipeline for data integrity and compatibility with machine learning.
  • Collaborate with Platform and ML teams on structuring and leveraging analytical data computationally.
  • Independently determine methods for new analyses and coordinate team execution.
  • Enforce scientific rigor and data quality across analytical practices.
  • Mentor junior and mid-level scientists, establishing best practices and reviewing scientific work.
  • Serve as an expert resource for internal and external analytical chemistry inquiries.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
  • Flexible paid time off and company holidays.
  • Equity or incentive compensation for eligible roles.
  • Support for employee growth and well-being.
Full Job Description
Osmo is seeking a Senior Scientist to drive the strategy and execution of GC/MS-based characterization programs that power our fragrance discovery engine and machine learning infrastructure. This is a high-autonomy role for an experienced analytical chemist who thrives at the intersection of rigorous small-molecule analytical chemistry and machine learning.

Key Responsibilities
  • Own the end-to-end analytical strategy for specific GC-MS-based programs, including method design, validation frameworks, and data quality standards for both targeted and untargeted analyses
  • Define and evolve sample preparation methodologies for headspace, liquid-phase, and solid-phase extraction of fragrance compounds from complex matrices and consumer products
  • Maintain and improve Osmo's high-throughput analytical pipeline, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and compatibility with downstream machine learning workflows
  • Partner deeply with the Platform and ML teams to shape how analytical data is structured, stored, and leveraged computationally, acting as the chemistry-side technical owner of the data interface
  • Determine methods and procedures for new analytical assignments independently, coordinating execution across team members and collaborating functions as needed
  • Enforce and hold teammates and colleagues to high standards of scientific rigor and data quality
  • Mentor and technically develop junior and mid-level scientists, establishing best practices, reviewing work for scientific integrity, and elevating the team's overall analytical capability
  • Write, edit, and audit analytical and experimental protocols
  • Serve as an internal expert resource and external-facing collaborator for analytical chemistry questions across Osmo's scientific and commercial programs

Required Qualifications
  • PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Flavor/Fragrance Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry, Cosmetic Chemistry, or a related field with 5+ years of post-degree experience, or equivalent combination of advanced degree and demonstrated technical leadership
  • Deep, hands-on expertise in GC-MS method development and validation across both targeted quantitation and untargeted profiling
  • Familiarity with MassHunter Qual/Quant or comparable analysis platforms
  • Advanced proficiency in sample preparation techniques for complex matrices, including LLE, SPE, headspace, and SPME, with the ability to design novel approaches for non-standard substrates
  • Demonstrated experience operating with high autonomy in defining analytical scope, setting timelines, and coordinating others to execute without close supervision
  • Proven ability to set technical direction for a team or program, including authoring or redesigning SOPs, establishing QC frameworks, or leading analytical platform decisions
  • Excellent cross-functional communication skills, with a track record of translating complex analytical requirements into actionable plans for non-chemistry stakeholders (e.g., ML engineers, product teams)

Ways to Stand Out
  • Direct experience in the flavor and/or fragrance industry, particularly with odor-active compound analysis or consumer product characterization
  • Proficiency in Python or other scripting languages for analytical data processing, pipeline automation, or integration with computational workflows
  • Experience designing or contributing to analytical data infrastructure that feeds ML models or large-scale compound databases
  • Familiarity with chemometrics, multivariate data analysis, or other data-science-adjacent analytical approaches
  • Experience with GC-Olfactometry and Gerstel robotic systems

Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000

If this role inspires you we'd encourage you to apply. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining an incredible team optimized for a diversity of thought, background, and approaches.

For all Full-Time Employees, compensation is just one component of Osmo's total rewards approach, which is designed to support the well-being, growth, and long-term success of our team members. Depending on the role, this may include base salary or contract-based pay, along with access to health, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match; flexible paid time off and company holidays; and equity or incentive compensation for eligible roles. Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, internal equity, and other relevant business considerations. Osmo regularly reviews pay ranges and compensation structures to ensure they remain competitive, equitable, and aligned with current market data.

About Osmo

Osmo is an educational technology company that produces interactive learning games for children. The company was founded in 2013 by Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Osmo's games use a combination of physical objects and digital technology to create a unique learning experience. The company's products have won numerous awards, including the Toy of the Year Award in 2015 and 2017. Osmo has partnerships with educational institutions and schools around the world and has been used in over 30,000 classrooms.
Learn more about Osmo
Size
100 employees
Industry
Founded
2013

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