GC Scientist

GC Scientist – Cannabis Analytical Testing

Company: ChRi Laboratories, Inc.
Location: Minnesota
Department: Cannabis Analytical Testing Laboratory
Reports To: Laboratory Director / Senior Scientist

Position Summary

ChRi Laboratories is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced GC Scientist to perform routine analytical testing of cannabis and hemp products, including flower, concentrates, edibles, beverages, and other infused products.

The GC Scientist will be responsible for sample preparation, instrument operation, data processing, quality control, troubleshooting, and documentation associated primarily with Residual Solvent and Terpene testing using Gas Chromatography systems, including GC-FID and GC-MS.

The successful candidate must have strong hands-on experience with gas chromatography and be capable of independently operating analytical instruments in a fast-paced commercial testing laboratory. The Scientist will work closely with other laboratory personnel and Quality Assurance to ensure accurate, timely, and defensible analytical results in accordance with ChRi Laboratories' quality system, ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, approved laboratory methods, and applicable Minnesota cannabis testing requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Routine Cannabis Testing

• Perform routine GC analysis of cannabis and hemp samples, including flower, concentrates, edibles, beverages, oils, tinctures, vape products, and other cannabis-derived products.
• Perform testing for residual solvents and terpenes using approved analytical methods.
• Follow established SOPs, test methods, work instructions, and quality control requirements.
• Prepare and organize analytical batches to support laboratory turnaround-time requirements.
• Accurately document all testing activities and promptly communicate analytical problems or delays.

Sample Preparation

• Prepare cannabis and hemp samples according to validated laboratory procedures.
• Accurately weigh, dilute, extract, and prepare samples for GC analysis.
• Prepare calibration standards, internal standards, blanks, spikes, laboratory control samples, and other QC samples.
• Perform appropriate extraction and dilution procedures for different product matrices.
• Ensure samples remain properly identified and traceable throughout the analytical process.
• Follow chain-of-custody and sample-handling requirements.

GC-FID and GC-MS Operation

Operate and maintain laboratory GC instrumentation, including:

• GC-FID systems
• GC-MS systems
• Headspace GC systems
• Automated liquid and headspace samplers
• Associated chromatography data systems and software

Responsibilities include:

• Instrument startup and shutdown
• Sequence preparation
• Calibration
• System suitability
• Instrument performance checks
• Sample sequence monitoring
• Chromatographic integration
• Routine maintenance
• Troubleshooting

Residual Solvent Testing

Perform routine residual solvent testing on applicable cannabis products.

Responsibilities include:

• Headspace sample preparation
• Calibration standard preparation
• Internal standard preparation
• Calibration verification
• Review of retention times and peak identification
• Quantitation of detected residual solvents
• Verification of QC acceptance criteria
• Identification and investigation of unusual or potentially nonconforming results

Terpene Testing

Perform qualitative and quantitative terpene analysis of cannabis and hemp products using GC-FID and/or GC-MS.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparation of terpene standards and samples
• Chromatographic separation and identification of target terpenes
• Review of retention times and chromatographic performance
• Quantitative data processing
• Evaluation of calibration and QC performance
• Routine troubleshooting of chromatographic separation and sensitivity issues

Data Analysis and Review

• Process chromatographic data using approved laboratory software.
• Review chromatograms for correct peak identification and integration.
• Verify calibration curves and QC acceptance criteria before reporting results.
• Perform required calculations and dilution corrections.
• Identify analytical anomalies, carryover, contamination, poor chromatography, and instrument performance issues.
• Document analytical observations and investigations.
• Ensure data are complete and technically defensible before submission for final review and COA reporting.

Instrument Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Perform routine maintenance including:

• Inlet liner replacement
• Septum replacement
• Column maintenance and replacement
• Syringe maintenance
• Leak checks
• Source cleaning, when applicable
• Gas supply monitoring
• Autosampler troubleshooting
• Preventive maintenance activities

Recognize and troubleshoot common GC problems including:

• High inlet pressure
• Poor peak shape
• Retention-time shifts
• Carryover
• Contamination
• Baseline instability
• Low sensitivity
• Peak tailing or fronting
• Autosampler failures

Escalate major instrument problems to senior laboratory personnel or instrument service providers as appropriate.

Quality and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Perform testing in accordance with ChRi Laboratories' ISO/IEC 17025 Quality Management System.
• Follow approved SOPs and validated analytical methods.
• Maintain complete, accurate, contemporaneous, and traceable laboratory records.
• Document instrument maintenance and performance activities.
• Follow laboratory requirements for standards, reagents, solvents, and reference materials.
• Immediately report QC failures, deviations, suspected contamination, and nonconforming work.
• Assist with investigations, corrective actions, and root-cause analysis.
• Participate in proficiency testing, competency assessments, internal audits, and external accreditation or regulatory inspections.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and chemical handling requirements.

Laboratory Operations

• Work collaboratively with Sample Receiving, HPLC, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, and other laboratory groups.
• Maintain sufficient inventory of columns, standards, gases, solvents, vials, syringes, liners, septa, and other GC consumables.
• Maintain a clean and organized laboratory workspace.
• Assist with laboratory workload planning and sample prioritization.
• Support weekend or extended-hour testing when required to meet laboratory schedules.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory efficiency, data quality, and turnaround time.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 2–3 years of hands-on gas chromatography experience in an analytical laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience operating GC-FID and/or GC-MS instrumentation.
• Experience with quantitative chromatographic analysis.
• Knowledge of calibration curves, internal standards, QC samples, and analytical calculations.
• Experience performing routine instrument maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills.
• Ability to independently organize and complete analytical batches.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a cannabis or hemp testing laboratory.
• Experience with Agilent GC-FID and GC-MS instrumentation, particularly Agilent 7890-series GC systems.
• Experience with Agilent 5975 or similar mass-selective detectors.
• Experience with headspace GC analysis.
• Experience with Agilent MassHunter or comparable chromatography software.
• Experience performing residual solvent and/or terpene testing.
• Experience with ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Experience working in a high-throughput commercial analytical laboratory.

Desired Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Scientific integrity
• Good laboratory documentation practices
• Ability to manage multiple analytical batches and priorities
• Ability to recognize questionable analytical results before reporting
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong teamwork and communication
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, safety, and regulatory compliance

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and work at laboratory benches for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Manual dexterity necessary for sample preparation and instrument maintenance.
• Ability to safely work with organic solvents, compressed gases, cannabis materials, and other laboratory chemicals.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

About ChRi Laboratories

ChRi Laboratories is committed to providing accurate, scientifically sound, and dependable analytical testing services to Minnesota's cannabis and hemp industry. The GC Scientist will play an important role in supporting our daily laboratory operations and ensuring that cannabis flower, edibles, beverages, and other products are tested accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established quality and regulatory requirements.

We are seeking a scientist who takes ownership of their analytical work, understands the importance of reliable laboratory data, and is committed to helping ChRi Laboratories deliver high-quality results to our clients.

Pay: $68,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Work Location: In person