LC-MS Operator

Job Title: LC-MS Operator Job Description
The LC-MS Operator plays a key role in a high-throughput bioanalytical laboratory, focusing on the setup, operation, and maintenance of LC-MS and HPLC instrumentation. This role supports a large team of chemists by ensuring instruments are running reliably, coordinating schedules across numerous mass spectrometers, and serving as a go-to resource for technical support and training. It offers a clear path to grow into metrology, repair, and advanced troubleshooting responsibilities, making it ideal for someone who wants to become an expert in LC-MS instrumentation.
Responsibilities
- Set up and start analytical batches on LC-MS systems, ensuring accurate configuration and reliable operation.
- Independently run LC-MS instrumentation on a daily basis with a focus on instrument performance and data integrity.
- Support instrument training for new chemists by demonstrating proper LC-MS and HPLC operation and best practices.
- Assist with system scheduling and coordination for a large fleet of mass spectrometers, including 50+ LC-MS instruments.
- Coordinate activities for approximately 60 chemists who rely on the LC-MS systems, acting as a central technical resource.
- Provide hands-on troubleshooting for LC-MS and HPLC instrumentation, identifying technical issues and implementing corrective actions.
- Conduct routine maintenance and calibration on LC-MS and HPLC systems to maintain optimal performance and compliance.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for instrumentation issues, acting as the go-to person for a large group of scientists.
- Document all work clearly and accurately, including maintenance activities, troubleshooting steps, and instrument performance in lab records.
- Communicate with Study Directors and other stakeholders regarding instrument issues, corrective actions, and status updates.
- Lead or contribute to investigations into instrumentation problems, including root cause analysis for major errors.
- Identify and resolve issues related to pipetting, reagents, and other sources of analytical error, explaining thought process and approach when needed.
- Support the development and refinement of training materials and methods related to LC-MS and HPLC operation.
- Work closely with a large team, keeping colleagues informed, sharing updates, and ensuring smooth instrument access and scheduling.
- Manage personal workload and time effectively while balancing support requests from many chemists and study teams.
- Embrace the repetitive nature of instrument setup and routine operations while maintaining high accuracy and consistency.
- Continue learning advanced aspects of LC-MS instrumentation, including method development, to expand responsibilities over time.
- Contribute to a collaborative team culture by focusing on shared success and supporting colleagues in achieving study goals.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related life science field.
- Approximately 1.52+ years of experience running HPLC on a daily basis and operating the instrument independently (open to candidates with 35 years of experience).
- Hands-on experience setting up, operating, and monitoring HPLC instrumentation in a laboratory environment.
- Ability to troubleshoot HPLC instrumentation, including diagnosing and resolving common technical issues.
- Strong interest in the instrumentation side of laboratory work, particularly in becoming an expert in LC-MS systems.
- Ability to work independently with complex analytical instruments while following established procedures and quality standards.
- Comfort working with and supporting a large number of colleagues simultaneously, acting as a central resource for instrumentation questions.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities, with many chemists relying on this person as the primary instrumentation contact.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to keep the team informed about instrument status, issues, and resolutions.
- Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate instrument schedules, and manage personal workload.
- Mindset focused on team success, collaboration, and supporting others in achieving high-quality analytical results.
- Positive attitude and professional demeanor suited to a busy, high-throughput laboratory environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience troubleshooting HPLC instrumentation at a more advanced level, including leading investigations into instrument-related issues.
- Demonstrated ability to work through major errors on analytical instruments and explain the thought process behind problem-solving steps.
- Experience identifying and resolving issues related to pipetting, reagents, and other sources of laboratory error.
- Any prior experience with mass spectrometry or LC-MS is a strong plus; training is available for candidates with a solid HPLC background.
- Familiarity with Analyst software or similar analytical data systems is beneficial.
- Interest in metrology and a long-term goal of moving into a metrology, repair, or advanced troubleshooting role.
- Desire to grow into writing methods and taking on more complex instrumentation responsibilities as expertise increases.
- Ability to thrive in a role that can be repetitive at times, while maintaining attention to detail and consistent performance.
- Openness to cross-training in laboratory testing beyond LC-MS setup, while keeping LC-MS operation as the primary focus.
- Commitment to continuous learning, as there is significant depth and complexity to LC-MS instrumentation and method development.
Work Environment
This position is based in a laboratory setting within a bioanalytical team of around 100 employees, including approximately 60 chemists who are primarily lab-focused. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with extensive use of LC-MS and HPLC instrumentation and a large number of mass spectrometers in routine operation. You will work closely with chemists and study teams, often serving as the central point of contact for instrumentation support. The role involves significant time at the bench and with instruments, and the work can be repetitive when the lab is very busy, particularly around LC-MS setup and batch initiation. As your expertise grows, you will have opportunities to cross-train into lab testing and expand into metrology, repair, troubleshooting, and method-related responsibilities. The organization offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, paid time off with an accrual of 24 days per year, seven paid holidays (subject to schedule), educational assistance, an employee assistance program, and a tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan with employer match after six months of employment. Merit-based pay increases are typically provided annually, and pay is often adjusted when moving from contingent to full-time employment. Dress code is consistent with a professional laboratory environment, with appropriate lab attire and safety considerations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $30.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Madison,WI. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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