Senior Scientist - Analytical Chemistry, Purification

Job description

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced analytical chemist to own, develop, and run Satomic's chromatography-based purification fleet with both SFC-MS and LC-MS instrumentation for detection and fraction collection. This role is central to Satomic's mission: purification is a bottleneck and our throughput targets demand a fleet that runs as a coordinated, automation-friendly system built for throughput rather than as individual instruments. We are hiring on demonstrated depth in high-throughput reversed-phase LC-MS purification. Hands-on SFC experience is an advantage. The successful candidate will develop, optimize, and standardize high-throughput, mass-directed purification methods and workflows, from fraction collection logic through post-purification data and sample handling. The work centers on SFC and LC purification to deliver high-quality compounds and data that accelerate drug discovery efforts. You will keep the fleet running through preventive maintenance and fast troubleshooting, and partner closely with our software and automation teams to scale the purification capabilities. This is a hands-on, lab-based position for a candidate who thrives in high-throughput environments and is motivated to develop purification methodologies that are robust, scalable, and innovative while prioritizing rigorous data quality standards and sample integrity. Expected Outcomes By 30 days, you will have: Fully onboarded to all company policies, lab operations, and safety protocols Achieved proficiency operating the reverse-phase LC fleet, running both analytical and preparative methods independently. Begun structured training on preparative and analytical SFC systems and built a working understanding of CO2 delivery, back pressure regulation, and modifier selection. Mapped the current end-to-end purification workflow (sample submission → method selection → run → fraction collection → analysis → evaporation -> consolidation -> reporting) and identified the top 3 throughput bottlenecks Begun running routine purifications and contributing to the standing sample queue By 90 days, you will have: Sustained throughput of ≥50 samples per instrument per day on at least one preparative SFC or one preparative LC system, with documented purity and recovery metrics Developed and validated a standardized method set (generic gradients, column selections, modifier choices) that covers ≥80% of small-molecule samples without per-sample method development Reached fluency in independent operation of the preparative SFC fleet for routine purifications. Authored standard operating procedures for instrument operation, fraction collection logic, and routine maintenance for each instrument class Designed and tested partner-facing post-purification QC methods for outgoing products Partnered with the software/automation team to integrate purification data flow with Analytical Studio (or equivalent) for automated submission, tracking, and reporting Established minimum evaporation times for varying volumes of collected fractions from LC and SFC purifications, enabling process optimization Defined fraction consolidation logic, taking into consideration tradeoffs between purity, yield, and transfer process logistics By 1 year, you will have: Achieved sustained fleet-wide throughput of ~96 samples per instrument per day across all 6 preparative systems, with ≥90% scheduled uptime Built and deployed an automated purification workflow (queue management, automated fraction analysis, and structured data handoff); identified and integrated further automation that minimizes hands-on work per sample beyond submission Reduced average purification turnaround time (sample submitted → purified compound delivered) by a measurable amount versus the 90-day baseline, with results quantified and reported Established a maintenance and consumables program (columns, seals, pumps, frits, ESI sources) that prevents/shortens the majority of unplanned downtime events Optimized evaporation and sample consolidation process, maintaining evaporator uptime >80% Influenced capital equipment decisions as instrumentation needs grow. By 5 years, you will have: Established expertise in automated high-throughput SFC and LC purification at platform scale Led the next generation of purification capability expansion, whether through new instrumentation, new modalities (e.g., chiral, peptide, larger-scale prep), or deeper integration with the broader automation platform Trained and mentored junior analytical staff into independent fleet operators Contributed significantly to the analytical and purification arms of the platform in capacity, reliability, and technology innovation What You Will Own This is a newly built lab with new instrumentation, so you will help shape how the purification capability is set up and run rather than inheriting an existing workflow. Day-to-day operation of the SFC and reverse-phase LC purification fleet, including method development, run execution, fraction collection strategy, and data review Develop and maintain generic, automation-friendly purification methods that cover the majority of incoming sample types without per-sample tuning Perform preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and troubleshooting across SFC, LC, and LC/MS systems; partner with vendors for service, upgrades, and installations Identify gaps in purification and reformatting workflows to recommend innovations for efficiency and throughput targets. Partner with synthetic chemistry to understand sample characteristics upstream and deliver purified material that meets purity and quantity targets downstream Solvent, waste, and consumable management for a fleet of purification instruments. Collaborate with software and automation teams to integrate purification workflows, including sample submission, queueing, fraction analysis, and structured data export Develop materials and protocols for training and mentoring new lab staff on proper use and care of the purification instrumentation and development of chromatography methodologies for SFC and LC purification. Qualifications Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or related field with 4+ years of relevant industry experience; or M.S. with 6+ years of relevant industry experience; or B.S. with 10+ years of relevant industry experience. Extensive hands-on experience with chromatography-based purification of organic small molecules and strong experience in high-throughput purification with LC and/or SFC instrumentation. Mass-directed purification experience is strongly preferred. Strong experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting LC, LC/MS, and SFC/MS instruments at the hardware level (pumps, autosamplers, detectors, ESI sources, fraction collectors) Demonstrated ability to develop generic purification methods that work across diverse small-molecule sample sets at high throughput A track record of becoming independently proficient on an unfamiliar instrument platform or separation modality Familiarity with purification informatics and automation tools (Analytical Studio, Virscidian, OpenLab, MassLynx, Pipeline Pilot, KNIME, or equivalent) Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment Compensation This role offers a base salary of $140,000 - $160,000, along with meaningful equity ownership and competitive benefits. We are an early-stage company and design offers to balance cash compensation and long-term ownership. The salary range above reflects base pay only, and we work with candidates to build a package that aligns with their preferences. Final offers are based on a candidate's experience and expected impact. Overview of Satomic's Interview Process Technical Screen: Selected candidates will have a 15 minute technical discussion with a member of the scientific team about their hands-on purification experience, with particular attention to SFC and high-throughput methods Phone Call: The hiring manager will contact you to schedule a 15 minute call to give an overview of Satomic and the role, and better understand your career goals, experience, and motivations. Core Interviews: The hiring manager will coordinate a block where you can have three 45-minute back-to-back interviews with different members of the Satomic team, who will ask questions about your past experience and fit for the role. Final Interview: Candidates that are selected for the final round will be asked to present on their past work most relevant to the open position (45 minutes) and discuss a representative scenario ("case study") live with the interview panel (45 minutes). The scenario will be given to the candidate at least one week prior to the final interview. Diversity & Inclusion We know there's a serious lack of diversity in our industry, and that needs to change. At Satomic, we're committed to helping drive that change. Our culture is built on inclusion, humility, humanity, and ingenuity — values that guide how we work with one another and how we approach the challenges of scaling science. We believe that bringing together people with diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking is not just the right thing to do, but makes us stronger: we want every member of our team to feel they belong and can do the best work of their career here. Our mission is to close the gap from idea to molecule. That mission carries responsibility: the chemistry we enable can accelerate access to life-changing medicines and technologies, but it can also pose risks if used carelessly. We're not agnostic to how our platform is applied — we care deeply about ensuring it is used for good. Building a team of diverse and thoughtful voices gives us the best chance of delivering a platform that not only advances the future of chemistry and drug discovery, but does so responsibly and with lasting positive impact on our world. About Satomic Satomic’s mission is to close the gap from idea to molecule with faster navigation of chemical space. We are building an automated chemistry platform that integrates laboratory robotics, software, and AI to transform small-molecule synthesis and drug discovery. This role is critical to Satomic’s mission. By isolating and delivering pure compounds quickly and reliably, you make more of that chemical space reachable, so our partners can focus on the hardest challenges in drug discovery and human health.