Laboratory Associate Jobs in Goleta, CA (NOW HIRING)

At Avantor, people are the most important part of our success because they drive our global performance. That's why our Operations, Lab Services, Sales, and many other Avantor teams rely on our talent acquisition initiatives to attract, engage and hire the right talent. Avantor's Quality control & Validation vertical is a crucial part of this mix, enabling all our internal teams worldwide to grow beyond their limits.

The QC Analytical Chemist provides analytical chemistry technical expertise for analytical testing on silicone products. Independently executes and troubleshoots analytical testing methods including physical chemical analysis, chromatography, spectroscopy and spectrometry, besides wet chemistry techniques.

What we're looking for:

• Education: AS in Chemistry or related program required. BS in Chemistry or related program preferred
• Experience: 3+ years of analytical laboratory experience working with ICP and GC if AS Obtained OR 1+ year of analytical laboratory hands-on experience if BS obtained

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in silicone chemistry and polymer analysis preferred.
• Experience with polymer, silicone, elastomer, or materials characterization testing preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of analytical techniques (e.g., ICP, GC-FID, GC/MS, HPLC, UV/Vis, FTIR, rheology, thermal analysis, tensile testing).
• Practical application of physical chemistry parameters (pH, pressure, temperature, viscosity, rheometry, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience using calibrated instruments for analytical chemistry purposes.
• Experience executing calibrations independently. More specifically, analytical standard preparation, calibration curve verification, report generation, designing new calibration curves specific to instrument response and testing requirements.
• Experience with Minitab, JMP, or other statistical analysis software preferred.
• Proper use of PPE and chemical safety.
• Experience providing training to others on lab procedures (preferred).
• Experience with technical writing (preferred).

Who you are:

• Shall be comfortable working with hazardous substances like hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid with the ability to follow all associated safety procedures.
• Computer Skills (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerBI).
• Science-based intermediate math and statistics.
• Good communication skills. Time-management skills. Critical thinking. Attention to detail. Team-player: ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow procedures. Able to work independently and set own priorities to reliably achieve deadlines.
• Knowledge of Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Knowledge of silicone chemistry (preferred).
• Practical application of internal software like Product Lifecycle Management software (Oracle Agile PLM) and ERP (SAP) preferred.

How you will thrive and create and ompact:

• Independently performs complex quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses on raw materials, in-process samples, and final products. This includes ICP-OES, GC/FID, GC/MS, HPLC, UV/Vis, FTIR, rheology, thermal analysis, and tensile testing among others.
• Analyzes raw data, interprets and reports results, and maintains strict documentation (Good Documentation Practices) for compliance purposes.
• Handles the lifecycle of experimental samples, from submittal to disposal.
• Regularly operates and calibrates complex laboratory equipment, including spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and spectrometers. Autonomously determines and troubleshoots issues, escalating to external suppliers when solutions are not within the scope of the Analytical Chemistry lab personnel.
• Independently performs standardized Analytical Chemistry Methods for non-routine purposes, both on commercial and under-development products. This includes validations, nonconformances, complaints, and opportunity analysis.
• Peer-reviews work of other analytical chemists to ensure that it is technically accurate and in conformance with established test method procedures.
• Provides training to other associates on QC Test Methods and Equipment Operating Procedures. Supports internal and external audits.
• At the Analytical Chemistry lab level, investigates and troubleshoots unexpected results from complex quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses.
• Independently identify when analytical methods are inadequate and/or subject to improvement, gathering and organizing data to inform management. Upon direction, develop proposals for appropriate action that ensures compliance and efficiency. Hands-on support for validation approved changes to test methods.
• Provides analytical chemistry subject matter expertise in cross-functional teams on behalf of QC in project-based work. This includes opportunity analysis and product development, qualification & validation, investigative testing for defects and complaints, continuous improvement. Leads the analytical workload execution of projects with time scales <1 year, effectively prioritizing testing.
• Works closely with other functional teams and provides Quality technical SME feedback for internal challenges (Ex. Production or development issues).
• Ensure compliance with company quality standards and industry regulations to maintain quality within the scope of the job description. This includes documentation and reporting.
• Support safety culture in analytical spaces and follow applicable safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Conditions

• Majority of time indoors in either office conditions in a climate-controlled setting with fluorescent & natural light or in a production/laboratory environment.
• Works with exceptionally dangerous, highly corrosive, and toxic substances.
• Periodic excursions to production floor
• Frequent time in laboratory conditions requiring the use of PPE.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.comand let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

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3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.