Chemist, Elemental Analysis

TopAhead is opening a new analytical testing laboratory in Florida, in the Tampa Bay or Miami–Fort Lauderdale area (site being finalized), for food, dietary supplements and peptides. We are hiring the founding team that will validate its methods, write its quality system and take it through ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The lab is not yet accredited; accreditation is a goal for this team. The lab name is shared with shortlisted candidates.

Instruments on site: Thermo TSQ Vantage triple-quad LC-MS/MS with Dionex UltiMate 3000 UHPLC; PerkinElmer PinAAcle 900Z graphite-furnace AAS. Year 1: mercury analyzer, microwave digestion, UV/PDA detector, ISO 7 clean room with ISO 5 biosafety cabinet.

Chemist, Elemental Analysis

Full time, on site · $70,000–$90,000/yr · Target start Q1 2027 · Reports to Laboratory Director

Run heavy-metals testing at parts-per-billion levels for baby food, food and supplements.

You will:

• Validate lead, cadmium and arsenic by graphite-furnace AAS (PinAAcle 900Z), and mercury on a dedicated analyzer.
• Set up microwave digestion and contamination control for trace work.
• Run recurring compliance panels against FDA lead action levels (10 and 20 ppb) and state baby-food laws.
• Keep calibration, QC charts and proficiency-test records audit-ready.

You bring:

• BS in chemistry or a related field.
• 2+ years with GFAAS or ICP techniques in a testing lab.
• Comfort with trace-level clean technique and digestion methods.

How to apply: email your CV to [email protected] with the subject "Role title – Your name", plus a few lines on one method you validated or one audit you took part in. Pay is base salary and depends on experience; each role includes a benefits package. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

TopAhead is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person