Job Summary
This role has two equal parts. The first is expanding and deepening Ralcos compound library by sourcing, authenticating, and chemically profiling natural compounds, drawing from botanical, phytonutrient, and other natural sources. Every compound added must carry a complete, defensible chemical profile and specification (identity, constituent profile, purity, stability) and a literature-grounded understanding of its known activity and safety, so that every research hypothesis built from that data is trustworthy and well-supported.
The second is formulation chemistry: ensuring each compounds chemistry remains stable and functional once it moves from the database into a finished product. Success here means manufacturing and the customers product experience are smooth, with no chemistry-driven failures that compromise use or efficacy.
This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive, and duties may vary based on departmental and company needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Source and evaluate enough new candidate compounds to advance at least 5 per quarter, drawing from scientific literature, suppliers, and botanical leads
- Run standard lab testing (GC, HPLC, MS) on 100% of new compounds prior to database entry, confirming identity, purity, and stability, and complete authentication within 1 month of intake
- Complete a literature review establishing known biological activity, mechanism, and safety profile for every compound before it enters the database
- Maintain a complete chemical profile, including constituent specification, purity, and other relevant parameters, and literature citation for every compound in the database
- Proactively deliver compound-level data to the in-vitro science team within 1 month of receiving a sample, rather than waiting on requests
- Apply chemical engineering knowledge to determine formulation success and stability, and help solve manufacturing hurdles related to product composition
- Partner with production and manufacturing teams to ensure each compounds chemistry remains stable and functional once incorporated into a finished product
- Participate in the quarterly review of the compound library, contributing novel ingredient recommendations based on gaps identified
- Collaborate with others on the Innovation team to move new ideas through the formulation stage, championing novel compounds into new solutions
- Maintain full compliance with chemical handling and documentation protocols, and take responsibility for reviewing ingredient safety and compliance
Key Competencies
- Compound extraction, isolation, authentication, and characterization
- Proficiency with GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC, and other analytical instruments
- Chemical engineering principles applied to formulation stability and manufacturing troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting and maintaining lab instrumentation
- Literature-based compound profiling and functional chemistry application
- Ralco Values and Purpose Alignment
- Values: Courageous Curiosity, Driven to Deliver, Master Your Craft, Root for the Team, Earn the Relationship
- Purpose: Ralco creates effective natural solutions that address agricultures greatest challenges.
Qualifications
Education: Masters degree (minimum) in Biochemistry, Phytochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineer, or a closely related discipline supporting animal and plant health
Experience: Hands-on laboratory experience in compound extraction, isolation, authentication, and characterization of natural components
Technical: Proficient in GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC, and other analytical instruments. Chemical engineering experience is applied to formulation stability and solving manufacturing hurdles related to product composition.
Travel: Some travel required and travel between Balaton MN and Marshall MN facilities.
Location: Balaton/Marshall, MN
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining GC, MS, and HPLC instrumentation
- A genuine, unbiased drive to understand each compound to its fullest depth, identifying ambiguous or unexpected results rather than settling for a passable profile
- A track record of pushing ideas and components further than prior work has established
- Prior industry experience in botanical, essential oil, agricultural chemistry, and/or nutraceutical animal or plant health
- Experience collaborating with in vitro / microbiology teams on compound screening
About Ralco
Ralco is a family-owned agricultural health and nutrition company with a global presence, distributing products in over 40 countries. Inspired by nature and powered by science, Ralco develops innovative, natural solutions to support plant and animal health.