Chromatography Applications Scientist

Job Title: Chromatography Applications Scientist

Job Description

The Chromatography Applications Scientist provides advanced application support for new and existing chromatography products, partnering closely with sales and marketing to create technical sales tools and content that drive business growth. This role delivers pre- and post-sale technical support to customers, develops and showcases new applications using chromatography products, and contributes to market development and strategic direction. The position combines hands-on laboratory work, technical writing, customer-facing support, and thought leadership in the chromatography field.

Responsibilities

• Develop new chromatography applications using company products to demonstrate key product benefits and performance.
• Create application comparisons to competitive products and generate proof statements for use in marketing and sales materials.
• Produce high-quality technical content for marketing initiatives, including blogs, journal articles or white papers, posters, presentations, and seminar materials.
• Contribute ideas, technical content, and editorial feedback on marketing tools and campaigns to support sales growth.
• Act as an external technical thought leader by representing and promoting the organization’s chromatography capabilities within the industry.
• Deliver technical presentations at industry events, trade shows, conferences, and key customer accounts to highlight chromatography solutions.
• Provide pre-sale technical support by executing free chiral screening of customer-submitted samples to identify the best column for their separation needs.
• Offer post-sale technical support to customers by assisting with method development, troubleshooting technical issues, and recommending appropriate products.
• Gather and communicate the voice of the customer to inform future product offerings, improvements, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide input on strategic direction and business goals related to chromatography products and markets.
• Recommend relevant industry conferences, trade shows, and events where exhibiting or presenting technical content will promote chromatography products.
• Identify new market opportunities that align with core competencies in chromatography and analytical sciences.
• Identify and share ideas for new products and product line extensions that support business objectives and market needs.
• Suggest investments in new equipment and technologies to ensure capabilities remain aligned with customer expectations and industry standards.
• Collaborate with development and operations scientists to guide the design and development of new chromatography products.
• Perform quality control responsibilities approximately three days per month using HPLC, GC, UV, FTIR, Karl Fischer, and NMR on various reagents, including GC reagents, ion-pairing reagents, and chemiluminescent reagents.
• Run customer samples and develop applications to support product launches and generate technical data for marketing materials.
• Complete routine maintenance on non-GMP laboratory instrumentation as needed to ensure reliable operation.
• Perform and assume other related duties as assigned to support laboratory, marketing, and business objectives.

Essential Skills

• Extensive knowledge of chromatography techniques, including chiral and achiral analytical and preparative HPLC.
• Experience in method development for chromatography applications, including chiral screening and column selection.
• Strong hands-on experience with HPLC, GC, UV, FTIR, Karl Fischer, and NMR instrumentation in an analytical laboratory setting.
• Working knowledge of LC–MS systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with chromatography data collection software associated with HPLC and related systems, including the ability to export data into usable formats such as Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including PowerPoint, to create technical presentations and written materials.
• Demonstrated ability in technical writing and technical reporting, including preparation of application notes, white papers, and presentations.
• Strong data organization and data analysis skills to interpret chromatographic results and generate clear conclusions.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for resolving technical and method-related issues.
• Strong communication, writing, and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external customers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in laboratory and office environments.
• Knowledge of safety requirements and best practices in an analytical laboratory setting.
• A bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a similar analytical science discipline is required.
• A master’s degree or PhD in analytical chemistry is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience working in an analytical laboratory setting, such as industrial, pharmaceutical, or university environments.
• Experience in customer support or client-facing technical roles related to chromatography or analytical chemistry.
• Understanding of GMP principles is beneficial.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical or API environments and familiarity with chemiluminescent reagents and reagent preparation.
• Background in new product development within chromatography or analytical science fields.
• Comfort presenting technical content at conferences, trade shows, and customer sites.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, accessible materials for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, customer requests, and marketing initiatives concurrently.
• Interest in taking on broad responsibility, including internal consulting and client-facing activities, to help grow the chromatography business.
• Motivation to act with autonomy in recommending changes to products, services, and technical approaches.
• Adaptability to work across laboratory, marketing, and business development functions.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with advances in chromatography technologies and applications.

Work Environment

This role is based in a combined laboratory and office environment at a site that specializes in chromatography columns and related API work. The position is on-site five days per week and involves regular collaboration with marketing, laboratory, development, and operations teams. Work is performed in a typical analytical laboratory setting with exposure to chemicals and moderate noise levels, and standard laboratory safety practices apply. The role includes approximately 5–10% travel annually to trade shows, industry conferences, and customer locations, which may include domestic and international destinations such as Europe and Asia, to present chromatography capabilities and showcase products and services. The physical demands and work environment are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of the job, and reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. The culture emphasizes professional growth, autonomy, and relationship-building, with a focus on investing in employees’ development and providing opportunities to expand responsibilities, engage in client-facing work, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the chromatography business.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Morton Grove, IL.

The pay range for this position is $45.67 - $62.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Morton Grove,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $46 - $63