RESEARCH ANALYT CHEMIST Job Listing at Moses Lake Industries in Moses Lake, WA (Job ID 86789)

Description

We value: Safety,Integrity,Ownership,Collaboration,Service,Sustainability 

Moses Lake Industries, Inc. (MLI) is a rapidly growing producer of ultra-pure chemical products, serving the semiconductor and flat-panel screen industries worldwide. We deliver world class products to the leaders of the industries we serve.  

You will be working for a midsized company with great people and a history of steady growth and profitability. Sound like a match? If you are prepared to work in an exciting and rewarding environment, we look forward to considering your experience and qualifications. 

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8AM – 5PM, Onsite Moses Lake, WA

Under the direction of the R&D Directors, R&D Supervisor, or R&D Senior Scientist the Research Analytical Chemist will work independently, with other team members and other departments to accomplish the goals of the R&D, High Performance Materials Department, and MLI. Projects typically involve development of methods for measuring physical properties or application tests that will chemically identify or quantify a product or provide a means of comparison among a group of products. Techniques developed will be used in characterization of new products and for enhancement of existing products for current and potential customers. Specific tasks include researching known methods; evaluating and mitigating the potential hazards of reagents and solvents; researching and learning analytical methods; executing analyses; assembling, using, cleaning, and maintaining laboratory equipment; maintaining clear and detailed notes and data in a laboratory notebook to support development of MLI Intellectual Property (IP); and preparing and presenting oral and written data and project summaries. This position is in an R&D department and requires chemists to demonstrate ownership and initiative to demonstrate progress and achieve milestones in their assigned projects; adaptability to rapidly changing needs and priorities; demonstration of good judgment in a potentially hazardous environment; ability to work cooperatively and supportively with a broad range of individuals with different levels of education and experience; and commitment to understanding and executing all tasks to the highest safety and environmental protection standards. The Analytical Chemist will demonstrate professional appearance, behavior and attitude at all times.

WHAT YOU WILL BE WORKING ON

• Support execution of assigned tasks to the standards and guidelines established by department supervisors and managers demonstrating ownership and initiative. Assigned tasks may include but are not limited to:
  • Handle solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals including weighing, pouring, measuring volume, mixing, and diluting.
  • Developing and performing analyses for characterization of new or manufactured products, particularly for methods in development or methods being assessed for suitability for products in development.
  • Prepare samples minimizing sources of particulate and chemical contamination in laboratory, clean booth, or clean room environments.
  • Maintain working areas in a clean, organized manner applying good chemical hygiene practices (e.g., cleaning counter tops, equipment, work areas, floors, lab areas garments, etc.)
  • Prepare a weekly written summary report describing key activities accomplished, projects in progress with milestones and estimated completion dates, observations and opportunities for continuous improvement, help needed and risks for completion of projects/tasks on schedule, and other relevant information.
  • Perform maintenance tasks on systems or equipment, as assigned.
  • Complete literature research to determine known analytical methods for target molecules and develop safe and plausible strategies for characterization and quantitation of new molecules.
• Execute tasks to defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when such procedures are available and help to develop SOPs for new analytical processes, as assigned.
• Review product and instrument key performance indicators statistical process control (SPC) charts for potential statistical anomalies (control chart rule violations such as out of control points, trends, mean shifts, etc). and support investigation and correct action development.
• Apply statistical methods to analyze data and analytical methods for metrology capability and correlation (MCC) and compare methods in development to industry standards to assess repeatability, linearity, accuracy, reproducibility, identify outliers, and compare standard metrics such as precision to tolerance or precision to variability ratios.
• Compare and contrast potential analytical methods and changes to analytical methods to establish and quantitate the effectiveness and impact of continuous improvements on different analytical options.
• Support troubleshooting using Response, Flow, Checklists (RFCs) and support the development or documentation of RFCs, as assigned.
• Support the development of new procedures and other documents as needed including updating existing procedures to enhance safety, clarity, or efficiency.
• Draft, review, and submit new or revised procedures for enrollment applying MLI's Document Control Procedures as assigned.
• Maintain a laboratory notebook with detailed and legible records of data, observations, and projects to support generation of MLI Intellectual Property (IP).
• Comply with all policies and procedures for the safe handling of chemicals and chemical waste.
• Perform necessary tasks and work hours needed to accomplish departmental and company goals.
• Protect MLI IP using appropriate safeguards to ensure confidential information, including but not limited to notebooks, procedures, computers, oral disclosures, and electronic files, is secured at all times.
• Fully participate and take responsibility for executing the training program identified by your supervisor including timely attendance at scheduled training, giving full attention and participation during training sessions, and working with supervisor and department training coordinator to identify and schedule refresher training as needed to maintain 100% compliance with retraining requirements.
• Follow departmental communication guidelines including reviewing e-mail at the beginning and end of each shift; responding to e-mail in clear, concise, business-appropriate, English to acknowledge receipt and to provide response or schedule for response for actions requested; and proactive communication to managers, project stakeholders, or others when assistance, direction or clarification is needed.
• Support development of new products and analytical methods, modifying existing analytical methods for continuous improvement, and services for commercial applications based on customer, market, or technology needs working both independently and within teams receiving direction from a supervisor or senior scientist(s) to establish priorities and requirements.
• Demonstrate a drive to achieve results through diligence and teamwork.
• Search chemical literature for established analytical methods or related methods that support achievement of goals.
• Read, understand, and apply information in chemical literature, safety data sheets (SDS), and other relevant information sources to identify and mitigate risks of working with hazardous chemicals and processes. Hazards may include but are not limited to: use of toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, flammable, pyrophoric, highly reactive, materials in high pressure, negative pressure, extremely hot or cold, or other reaction profiles and equipment. 
• Consistently focus on and prioritize safety including applying administrative, engineering and personal protective equipment and protocols at all times to ensure the safety of yourself, your colleagues and our community including safeguarding the environment and properly identifying, managing, and minimizing waste.
• Exhibit and apply technical expertise including a thorough understanding of chemical principles, and a thorough understanding of characterization/metrology techniques.
• Collect and consolidate data from multiple sources including laboratory notebooks records, metrology reports, and chemical literature to enable evaluation of experimental outcomes by identifying important information, tracing possible causes of problems, and searching for practical solutions.
• Analyze data appropriately including generating graphical representations, applying mathematical concepts, modeling, and relevant statistical analysis using software tools such as MSExcel, JMP, Origin, ChemDraw or other data analysis software.
• Generate concise written summaries expressing ideas and opinions clearly in properly structured, well-organized, and grammatically correct reports and documents utilizing language and terminology that is understandable and relevant for the target audience and contains conclusions supported by data.
• Demonstrate conceptual thinking, understanding a given situation or problem by combining information, identifying patterns or connections, and identifying key or underlying issues in data sets or experiments.
• Assemble, use, and maintain common laboratory equipment including but not limited to glassware, syringes, Schlenk lines, pipettes, rotary evaporators, recirculating chillers/heaters, and high precision balances.
• Perform hands-on laboratory experiments to accomplish project goals for the development of new products and applications using well-established good lab practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline such as biology or physics preferred. Commensurate professional experience acceptable
• One or more years of relevant experience in an industrial or academic laboratory setting.
• Able to follow written and verbal instructions in English.
• Prepare clear and concise written and oral summaries of planned and completed work.
• Regular and punctual attendance is expected in order to accomplish the critical mission of the department and organization.
• Work to continuously improve productivity, cost savings, safety, and morale to gain positive results in all areas.
• Maintain physical condition and health so as to be able to timely perform assigned job duties.
• Work as a productive member of a cohesive group toward a common goal and contributing to team development and effective team dynamics.
• Demonstrate accountability by accepting responsibility for yourself and your actions, anticipating and improving of problem areas, and problem solving inside and outside the department.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and ongoing demonstration of good chemical hygiene practices.
• Demonstrate ability to read, understand apply information in Safety Data Sheets to ensure safe handling and use of chemicals and laboratory apparatus.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and responsibility for a thorough and detailed method of working.
• Computer literacy including ability to use software to prepare and revise reports and documents, analyze and present data, and model chemical concepts. Experience with MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS Word, ChemDraw, JMP, PowerPoint and Visio is desired but not required.
• Understand and apply chemical concepts, executing defined and documented methods in the laboratory with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrate sufficient math and chemistry skills to enable calculation of dilutions, molarity, averages, standard deviations, balancing of chemical equations and other relevant mathematical manipulations to support job tasks independently.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the application of common analytical methods (e.g., NMR, HPLC, GPC, TGA, DSC, titration, viscometry, etc.) in characterization of reagents, reactions products and byproducts.
• Prepare a weekly summary of specific activities, projects and priorities including needs and risks for achievement of objectives to established standards and timelines.
• Demonstrate ability to work well and effectively with a wide range of individuals with different personalities, education levels, and expertise.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary pay range: $60K-$80K

• Generous PTO: Your off time is important.
• Medical/Dental/Vision: Majority of premiums paid by MLI. Includes virtual medical and mental health options.
• Additional Health Coverage: FSA and HSA available. Voluntary insurance options include life and AD&D, accident, hospitalization, and critical illness.
• Earn More: We offer a generous discretionary bonus program in addition to salary/wage.
• 401(k) Savings Plan:  Jump start your retirement with MLI's employer matching contributions.
• Company-Paid Benefits: Long-Term Disability Insurance, EAP, Fitness Club Membership Program, & Education Assistance Program. Relocation Assistance available.
• Additional Benefits: We provide position-based clothing, travel expenses, training and additional materials needed on a case-by-case basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Duties are generally performed indoors in an office and laboratory environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.  When working in the presence of safety hazards, the employee is expected to follow company safety and laboratory chemical hygiene rules and use proper personal protective equipment such as: hardhat, safety glasses, gloves, lab coat and full leather shoes, etc.  Employees will work in a covered Process Safety Management (PSM) environment containing threshold quantities of flammable liquids and/or gasses that have a potential for fire or explosion. Employees working in this environment are required to be free from devices that are not considered intrinsically safe. Examples of devices that may not be intrinsically safe include insulin pumps, pacemakers, pain management devices, etc.