Lab Assistant Jobs in Elkton, MD (NOW HIRING)

The Instrument Readiness Specialist provides operational and technical support for LC-MS, HPLC, and GC-MS laboratories at customer facilities in Delaware. This role is responsible for routine instrument operation, sample preparation support, preventive maintenance, performance monitoring, and compliant documentation in accordance with customer-defined SOPs, validated methods, and regulatory requirements. The position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to work independently in a laboratory environment, and effective collaboration with customer scientists and project stakeholders to ensure reliable analytical operations.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on operational support for LC-MS, HPLC, and GC-MS instrumentation at customer facilities, including the DuPont Experimental Station (Wilmington, DE) and New Castle, DE, in accordance with customer-defined SOPs, validated methods, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Perform routine operation of analytical systems, including instrument startup and shutdown, method loading, sequence and sample queue setup, data acquisition, and basic system checks.
• Support sample preparation activities such as dilution, extraction, filtration, derivatization (as applicable), reagent preparation, consumable selection, and proper sample labeling following customer-approved procedures.
• Monitor and assess instrument performance, including chromatographic stability, pressure and flow profiles, vacuum system performance, detector response, ion source condition, mass accuracy, and column integrity; promptly communicate deviations or abnormal trends to customer stakeholders.
• Conduct routine preventive maintenance and system upkeep, including solvent and mobile phase preparation, degassing, tubing and fitting inspection, leak checks, column flushing, injector and ion source cleaning, vacuum pump monitoring, tuning verification, and routine calibration in alignment with manufacturer recommendations and customer requirements.
• Support day-to-day laboratory operations, including equipment readiness, workflow coordination, and effective communication with customer project leads and local stakeholders.
• Comply with all site-specific safety, laboratory access, emergency response, and environmental health requirements; participate in required safety, EHS, and instrumentation training programs.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of instrument usage, maintenance activities, experimental observations, deviations, and corrective actions in accordance with customer documentation practices and data integrity standards.
• Prepare and provide analytical summaries, instrument performance logs, and status updates as requested or defined by project timelines.
• Ensure proper archiving of raw data, chromatographic results, mass spectral files, electronic logs, and supporting documentation within customer systems.
• Document and escalate deviations, nonconformances, or unexpected findings in a timely manner and support quality assurance, audit readiness, and inspection activities related to analytical services, as requested.

Critical Skills

• Working knowledge of LC-MS, HPLC, and GC-MS instrumentation and associated laboratory workflows
• Ability to operate analytical instruments in accordance with SOPs, validated methods, and compliance requirements
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity and accurate documentation
• Ability to monitor instrument performance, identify deviations or abnormal trends, and escalate issues appropriately
• Hands-on experience with routine instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and preventive care
• Strong organizational and time-management skills in a fast-paced laboratory environment
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and adhere to established procedures
• Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate with scientists, vendors, and site stakeholders
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while supporting team objectives

Basic Qualifications

• One of the following education and experience combinations:
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline with 3 or more years of relevant laboratory experience supporting analytical instrumentation
• Associate's degree in a scientific or technical discipline with 5 or more years of hands-on experience supporting LC-MS, HPLC, or GC-MS systems
• High School diploma or GED with 7 or more years of directly related laboratory experience in an analytical environment
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 or more years of experience supporting LC-MS, HPLC, and/or GC-MS instrumentation in an industrial, academic, or regulated laboratory setting
• Master's degree in chemistry, analytical science, or a related scientific discipline
• Experience working in SOP-driven or regulated laboratory environments (e.g., GLP, GMP, or similar frameworks)
• Familiarity with analytical data systems, electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), and data archiving practices
• Demonstrated ability to support audit readiness, inspections, or quality assurance activities related to analytical laboratories

Working Environment

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory.
• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time.
• The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite.
• Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.
• Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste.
• Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

EEO: "Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans."