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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.

We are seeking an experienced analytical chemist to own, develop, and run Satomic's chromatography-based purification fleet with SFC as the primary technique, LC in support, using mass spectrometry as primary 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.

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, with a strong emphasis on SFC and on mass-directed 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.

• Fully onboarded to all company policies, lab operations, and safety protocols
• Achieved proficiency operating the SFC and reverse‑phase LC fleet, running both analytical and preparative methods independently
• 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

• Sustained throughput of ≥50 samples per instrument per day on at least one preparative SFC and 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
• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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, with core expertise in SFC and strong experience in high‑throughput preparative LC and/or SFC. 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
• Hands‑on familiarity with Waters analytical and preparative SFC instrumentation and software is a plus, as well as with Agilent LC/MS systems. SFC depth gained on other platforms is equally valued.
• 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

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.