Chemist

Job Title: Chemist

Job Description

The Chemist plays a key role in a Quality Control (QC) laboratory, performing GMP-compliant testing and supporting commercial pharmaceutical manufacturing. This role focuses on raw material, in-process, and final product testing, method validation and transfer, routine monitoring, and continuous improvement activities such as LEAN and 5S. The Chemist ensures timely, accurate analytical results so that manufacturing operations proceed without interruption and serves as a technical resource within the department and across functions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct procedure updates in the QC laboratory and perform GMP reviews of logbooks to ensure compliance and data integrity.
• Coordinate waste management activities in the laboratory, supporting LEAN and 5S initiatives to maintain a safe, organized, and efficient work area.
• Perform final product release testing, including all applicable analytical tests, to confirm product identity, purity, and quality prior to release.
• Conduct raw material release testing as required to verify that incoming materials meet established specifications.
• Perform testing, analyze data, and submit results in a timely manner so that commercial manufacturing activities are not delayed or impacted.
• Execute laboratory method validation, transfer, and verification activities in accordance with pharmacopeial and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate routine monitoring and validation activities for laboratory methods, processes, and critical utilities.
• Order laboratory supplies, assign expiry dates to incoming materials, track requisitions, and reconcile against received materials and invoices.
• Perform chemistry testing of raw materials, in-process samples, final products, validation-related samples, and critical utility samples using appropriate analytical techniques.
• Serve as a technical resource within the QC department and cross-functionally, providing expertise in analytical chemistry and pharmaceutical testing.
• Participate in and may lead special projects related to method improvements, process optimization, or new product introductions.
• Support investigations by analyzing data, identifying root causes, and contributing to corrective and preventive actions.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and compliant reports and documentation related to testing, validation, and investigations.
• Follow changes in pharmacopeial requirements (USP, BP, JP, EP) and support implementation and qualification of updated methods.

Essential Skills

• 4+ years of relevant experience with a BS degree in Chemistry or an equivalent scientific discipline, or 2+ years of relevant experience with an MS degree.
• Hands-on experience in analytical chemistry within a QC or pharmaceutical laboratory environment.
• Prior experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with exposure to commercial manufacturing and QC testing.
• Experience with biologics products; small and/or large molecule experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of GMPs and GLPs, including regulatory requirements for testing and validation in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of chemistry techniques used to determine identity, purity, and quality of parenteral and solid dosage products.
• Understanding of pharmacopeial requirements and the ability to follow, implement, and qualify changes to analytical methods.
• Knowledge of USP, BP, JP, and EP requirements and change processes related to pharmaceutical testing.
• Proficiency with analytical instruments and techniques such as HPLC, GC, UPLC, wet chemistry methods, CE (capillary electrophoresis), and SEC (size exclusion chromatography).
• Investigation skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support root cause analysis.
• Strong report writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and compliant documentation.
• Good verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills for effective collaboration with laboratory and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and laboratory informatics tools such as LIMS and Empower.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Experience working with biologics and both small and large molecule pharmaceutical products.
• Familiarity with LEAN principles and 5S practices in a laboratory environment.
• Should have experience with wet chemistry and biologics testing methods.
• Knowledge of GDP (Good Documentation Practices) and strong attention to detail in record-keeping.
• Ability to adapt to changing pharmacopeial and regulatory requirements and support continuous improvement of methods and processes.
• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple tests, projects, and supply inventories concurrently.
• Long-term career interest in pharmaceutical QC and analytical chemistry, with a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Work Environment

This is an onsite laboratory role based in a pharmaceutical Quality Control environment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the need for flexibility to be on-call some weekends and to occasionally work off-shifts when urgent samples require testing (for example, coming in early morning to run time-sensitive samples). The work involves routine use of analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC, UPLC, CE, and SEC systems, as well as wet chemistry techniques, within a GMP- and GLP-compliant setting. The environment emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and organization, supported by LEAN and 5S practices. Collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and other technical teams is frequent, and the role offers a long-term opportunity in a stable, growth-oriented pharmaceutical laboratory setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of La Verne, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $42.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in La Verne,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 12, 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.