The posting
Company:
Gelest Inc.
Job Description:
Gelest, Inc., part of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group, is hiring a Senior Analytical Scientist to support our continued growth in specialty materials. Join a collaborative team where your expertise will help advance technologies that impact industries around the globe.
The Senior Analytical Scientist serves as a technical expert in ICP-MS and trace elemental analysis, supporting analytical research and development across new product development, process development, manufacturing, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and customer-driven initiatives.
The role is primarily responsible for the development, validation, transfer, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of ICP-MS analytical methods used to identify and quantify trace and ultra-trace elemental impurities across a variety of chemical, materials, and polymer systems. The position will provide technical leadership in sample preparation, method optimization, data interpretation, instrument performance, and resolution of complex analytical challenges.
Leveraging advanced ICP-MS expertise, the Senior Analytical Scientist will generate high-quality, reliable analytical data, evaluate new technologies and methodologies, and serve as a key technical resource for trace elemental characterization. The role will collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to support product quality, process improvements, regulatory requirements, and broader business objectives.
While experience with additional analytical techniques is valuable, demonstrated hands-on expertise with ICP-MS instrumentation, method development, troubleshooting, trace elemental analysis, and cleanroom operations is a primary technical requirement and focus of this position.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Develop, optimize, validate, transfer, and maintain analytical methods to support research, product development, manufacturing, quality control, and customer projects.
- Generate high-quality analytical data and technical reports using a variety of analytical techniques and instrumentation.
- Lead analytical investigations, root cause analyses, and troubleshooting efforts related to products, processes, instrumentation, and customer concerns.
- Evaluate, recommend, and implement new analytical technologies, instrumentation, methodologies, and best practices to expand organizational capabilities.
- Maintain analytical instrumentation and coordinate calibration, qualification, preventive maintenance, and service activities to ensure reliable operation and data quality.
- Prepare, review, and maintain SOPs, test methods, validation protocols, technical reports, and laboratory documentation.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners, including universities, contract laboratories, vendors, and customers, to support analytical projects and technical initiatives.
- Provide technical expertise and recommendations to support product development, manufacturing investigations, quality initiatives, customer requests, and regulatory activities.
- Support transfer of analytical methods from development to routine quality control and manufacturing laboratories.
- Train and mentor scientists, chemists, and laboratory personnel on analytical methodologies, instrumentation, data interpretation, and laboratory best practices.
- Support regulatory compliance initiatives, product stewardship activities, product registrations, and SDS generation through analytical testing and documentation.
- Communicate technical results effectively through presentations, reports, scientific publications, and technical seminars.
- Present project updates and recommendations to senior management and cross-functional teams.
- Support customer-specific analytical requests, including non-routine characterization, failure analysis, and technical problem solving.
- Participate in laboratory continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, efficiency, data integrity, and operational excellence.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Recognized technical expert in one or more analytical disciplines.
- Works independently with minimal supervision.
- Leads technically complex investigations and projects.
- Interfaces directly with customers, suppliers, technical partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Supports strategic analytical capability development within the organization.
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Hands-on experience with multiple advanced analytical techniques is preferred, including but not limited to:
- ICP-MS
- ICP-OES
- LC-MS
- GC-MS
- NMR
- FTIR
- Raman Spectroscopy
- XPS
- GPC/SEC
- Ion Chromatography
- Thermal Analysis (TGA, DSC)
- UV-Vis Spectroscopy
- Surface and materials characterization techniques
- Specialized expertise in trace elemental analysis, semiconductor materials, high-purity chemicals, or cleanroom-based analytical operations is desirable but not required.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
- Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to communicate technical information to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or related scientific discipline.
- Minimum of 5 years of industrial analytical chemistry experience; advanced degree may be considered in lieu of a portion of experience.
- Demonstrated experience supporting R&D, manufacturing, quality, or product development activities.
- Experience with analytical method development, validation, and technology transfer preferred.
- Experience in chemical, materials, specialty chemicals, semiconductor, or advanced materials industries preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Must be able to work safely in laboratory environments and utilize required personal protective equipment.
- May require occasional work in controlled laboratory environments including cleanrooms or pilot-scale facilities.
Gelest, located in Morrisville, PA—conveniently accessible from Interstate 95, Route 1, and the PA/NJ Turnpikes—offers a rewarding career with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous paid time off
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and optional supplemental plans for employees and their families
- 401(k) with a competitive company match
- Company-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
- Eligibility for an annual performance bonus
- Company-provided uniforms, safety boots, and PPE
The salary range for this position is $100k to $150k. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary will be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.
