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Food Testing Laboratory Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Nutrition Chemist

Happy Valley, OR

$49K - $56K/yr

Knowledge of food testing and food chemistry. Work Environment The position is based in a fast-paced analytical laboratory with a schedule of 9:00am - 5:30pm. You will be part of a team of six ...

OMIC, USA

Chemist 2 - LC and GC

Portland, OR · On-site

We are an international full-service ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical testing laboratory dedicated to advancing global food health and safety. Headquartered and located in Portland, Oregon's NW ...

Kelly Services

Laboratory Technician

Clackamas, OR · On-site

$21/hr

... and reliable testing and results. * Test for attributes such as taste, odor, appearance ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field OR HSD with 4 years of relevant experience.

Kelly Services

Laboratory Technician

Clackamas, OR

$21/hr

... and reliable testing and results. * Test for attributes such as taste, odor, appearance ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field OR HSD with 4 years of relevant experience.

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All JobsFood Testing Laboratory JobsFood Testing Laboratory Jobs in Portland, OR

Food Testing Laboratory information

See Portland, OR salary details

$10

$26

$47

How much do food testing laboratory jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for food testing laboratory in Portland, OR is $26.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.38 and $29.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities in a food testing laboratory role?

In a Food Testing Laboratory, your typical day involves preparing and testing food samples to check for contaminants, nutritional content, and regulatory compliance. You’ll operate specialized laboratory equipment, follow detailed standard operating procedures, and record results accurately in laboratory management systems. Collaboration with colleagues and communication with supervisors or quality assurance teams is common to ensure timely testing and data integrity. This role also includes maintaining a clean and safe laboratory environment, calibrating instruments, and sometimes assisting with method development or validation projects.

What is a food testing laboratory?

A Food Testing Laboratory job involves analyzing food products for safety, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards. Professionals in this field test for contaminants, nutritional content, shelf life, and overall product integrity. They use specialized equipment and scientific methods to ensure food is safe for consumption and meets industry regulations. Workers may be responsible for microbiological, chemical, and physical testing of food samples.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the food testing laboratory position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Food Testing Laboratory, you need a strong background in chemistry, microbiology, and food science, usually supported by a degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment such as spectrophotometers, chromatography systems, and LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) is essential, along with knowledge of industry regulations like ISO 17025 and HACCP. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this position. These competencies ensure accurate analysis, compliance with safety standards, and efficient collaboration in a highly regulated laboratory environment.

What are popular job titles related to Food Testing Laboratory jobs in Portland, OR? For Food Testing Laboratory jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Testing Laboratory jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Food Testing Laboratory jobs in Portland, OR are:
Food Testing Laboratory jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Testing Laboratory job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,694 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

Chemist II (Analytical Chemistry)

Motive Companies

Portland, OR

$25 - $27/hr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Chemist II (Analytical Chemistry)

GC-MS | LC-MS | ICP-MS | Food & Nutritional Testing

Location: Portland, Oregon

Employment Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Onsite

Compensation: $25-$27/hr DOE

Advance Your Career in Analytical Chemistry

We're growing our analytical laboratory and are looking for experienced Chemist II professionals to join our team. If you have hands-on experience with GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, chromatography, mass spectrometry, or nutritional and food testing, we'd love to hear from you.

This opportunity supports multiple analytical laboratories, including Gas Chromatography (GC), Liquid Chromatography (LC), and Inorganic Chemistry. Candidates will be matched with the laboratory that best aligns with their technical background and experience.

If you enjoy solving analytical challenges, working with cutting-edge instrumentation, and producing high-quality scientific data in a collaborative environment, this is an excellent opportunity to grow your career.

What You'll Do

  • Perform routine and non-routine analytical testing on food, dietary supplements, and related products 
  • Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced analytical instrumentation including: 
    • GC 
    • GC-MS 
    • LC 
    • LC-MS/MS 
    • ICP-MS 
  • Prepare and process samples using validated laboratory procedures 
  • Analyze data and generate accurate analytical reports 
  • Maintain quality standards while following SOPs, ISO, AOAC, FDA, and laboratory guidelines 
  • Enter analytical data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) 
  • Investigate analytical issues and recommend technical solutions 
  • Assist with method development, validation, optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives 
  • Perform instrument calibration, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting 
  • Collaborate with scientists and laboratory leadership on technical projects 



We're Looking For

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline 
  • Experience working in an analytical laboratory 
  • Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: 
    • GC 
    • GC-MS 
    • GC-MS/MS 
    • HPLC 
    • LC-MS/MS 
    • ICP-MS 
  • Experience interpreting chromatographic and analytical data 
  • Knowledge of QA/QC practices and regulated laboratory environments 
  • Experience with LIMS or laboratory data management systems 
  • Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills 
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced laboratory 

Bonus Points For Experience With

  • Food chemistry 
  • Nutritional analysis 
  • Trace metals 
  • Minerals 
  • Pesticide residue analysis 
  • Method development and validation 
  • Agilent MassHunter 
  • OpenLab CDS 
  • SCIEX Analyst 
  • SCIEX OS 
  • MultiQuant 
  • Waters Acquity 
  • QuEChERS extraction 
  • Microwave digestion 
  • HRMS 
  • Orbitrap 
  • ISO 17025 laboratory environments 

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

  • Work with advanced analytical instrumentation 
  • Solve technically challenging scientific problems 
  • Participate in method development and process improvements 
  • Join a collaborative team of experienced analytical chemists 
  • Grow your technical expertise across multiple analytical platforms 
  • Support work that directly impacts food quality and public health 

Apply Today

Whether your expertise is in GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, food chemistry, nutritional analysis, chromatography, or analytical method development, we'd love to connect with you.

Apply today and let us match your expertise with the laboratory where you'll have the greatest impact.

Education:Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Apply