Chemist II

Job Title: Chemist II Job Description
The Chemist II plays a key role in a growing pharmaceutical quality control laboratory, performing analytical and wet chemistry testing on finished products, raw materials, in-process samples, components, and stability study samples. The focus of this role is on new ANDA oral dose products, including oral rinses and antiseptic solutions, ensuring that all testing meets strict GMP and FDA guidelines with a strong emphasis on data integrity and accurate documentation.
Responsibilities
- Perform routine and non-routine testing of finished products, raw materials, in-process samples, components, and stability study samples, with a primary focus on new ANDA oral dose products such as oral rinses and antiseptic solutions.
- Execute analytical testing using HPLC and GC, as well as wet chemistry techniques including titrations, pH measurements, specific gravity determinations, and other standard QC methods.
- Operate and maintain laboratory instruments including HPLC, GC, TOC analyzers, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, pH meters, and associated software systems to generate accurate and reliable data.
- Inspect supplies, ingredients, and materials used in the production of pharmaceutical products to ensure they meet quality specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct some instrument validation activities to confirm that laboratory equipment performs according to established protocols and regulatory standards.
- Review and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory protocols, and verify their accuracy and compliance with GMP and FDA guidelines.
- Document all testing activities thoroughly in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems, maintaining clear, legible, and complete records that support data integrity and regulatory compliance.
- Adhere strictly to GMP, cGMP, GDP, and FDA guidelines in all laboratory activities, ensuring that quality and compliance standards are consistently met.
- Support stability studies by testing and documenting samples over defined time intervals, contributing to product shelf-life and quality assessments.
- Utilize compliance-focused software tools such as Agilent OpenLab and LabX to manage data, support audit trails, and maintain secure, accurate records.
- Collaborate with the QC team and new lab management to implement best practices, improve laboratory processes, and support the development and testing of new oral dose products.
- Participate in ongoing training to gain exposure to a wide range of analytical and wet chemistry techniques, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the lab.
Essential Skills
- 35+ years of hands-on experience with HPLC and GC in a regulated laboratory environment.
- 35+ years of experience working under cGMP or GMP guidelines.
- Bachelors degree with a major in Chemistry.
- Preferred minimum of 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience with direct involvement in QC testing.
- Proficiency in wet chemistry techniques, including titrations and pH measurements.
- Strong working knowledge of GMP and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
- Ability to maintain high standards of data integrity and compliance with FDA regulations.
- Experience with laboratory documentation, including detailed, legible, and accurate laboratory notebook entries.
- Hands-on experience with analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC, FT-IR, TOC, UV-Vis, and pH meters.
- Familiarity with pharmaceutical testing processes for oral dose products, oral rinses, and antiseptic solutions.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience using Agilent OpenLab software for chromatographic data acquisition and analysis.
- Experience with LabX software for instrument control and data management.
- Knowledge of particle size analysis techniques.
- Comfort working with cGMP and FDA compliance requirements, including SOP review and adherence.
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple tests, samples, and documentation requirements.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-growing laboratory environment and adapt to evolving processes and procedures.
- Interest in career development, upskilling, and potential progression into leadership roles within the laboratory.
- Strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and support cross-functional quality initiatives.
Work Environment
This role is based in a quality control laboratory within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment that specializes in oral rinse, antiseptic solutions, and other oral dose products. The Chemist II will work primarily on new ANDA products within the oral dose division, using a range of analytical instruments and wet chemistry techniques, including HPLC, GC, FT-IR, TOC, UV-Vis, particle size analysis, pH meters, and related software such as Agilent OpenLab and LabX. The position follows a first-shift schedule, typically 8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. The lab is part of a privately held, financially stable organization that is investing in a new, growing QC team under updated lab leadership. The culture emphasizes professional growth, comprehensive training across analytical and wet chemistry methods, and clear career ladders with defined training metrics and progression opportunities as the business expands.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Plaines, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $32.00 - $35.00/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 Des Plaines, IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Des Plaines,IL. 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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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
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