Our Business is Biorationals

At Valent BioSciences, our focus is on building the strongest portfolio of biorational solutions to improve agricultural productivity, protect public health, and keep our forests beautiful. It's all part of our commitment to creating value for our customers around the world — and doing so in a sustainable way. We invite you to explore our offerings and learn how Valent BioSciences can help you make a positive difference in your world.

Come join us in our new state-of-the-art Biorational Research Center.

Description of Job: Experienced analytical chemist with some experience in natural product chemistry and organic synthesis. The scientist will design and develop analytical methods and perform assays in support of research and development of biorational products, including biopesticides and plant growth regulators. Analytical methods utilized will include HPLC, GC, MS, and NMR. In addition, the scientist will isolate and purify natural products from biological sources and determine their chemical structures. Conduct hands-on syntheses of organic compounds from gram to kilogram scale. Job requires close interaction with other R&D, regulatory, manufacturing and business management personnel. The Individual will be responsible for experimental data analysis and interpretation, as well as preparation and presentation of reports and recommendations. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in at least two out of the three relevant technical areas.

Principal Responsibilities:

Analytical Chemistry

• Develop and validate analytical methods for quantification of active ingredients and impurities in various types of samples and matrices.
• Conduct and/or coordinate analysis of experimental samples to support R&D projects.
• Provide support to Regulatory, Manufacturing, QC, and 3rd party cooperators on analytical questions.

Natural Product Chemistry

• Analyze biological samples and correlate chemical components with biological activities.
• Structurally identify secondary metabolites through modern MS techniques and NMR studies of purified samples.
• Isolate and purify compounds from biological samples for chemical and biological characterization and evaluation.

Organic Synthesis 

• Design synthetic routes to expeditiously synthesize target compounds using knowledge of organic reactions and literature searching.
• Execute syntheses by performing reactions, compound isolation, purification and characterization.

Other Responsibilities

• Ability to work safely by adhering to all the relevant safety regulations and rules.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Maintain and archive laboratory documents including electronic notebooks.
• Stay abreast of current scientific literature and published/issued patents on biologically active organic compounds, with emphasis on potential agricultural applications.
• Supervision of junior staff member may be required.

Experience: Experience with developing and running quantitative assays on instruments such as HPLC, LC-MS, GC-FID, GC-MS, etc., including sample preparation and data analysis. Metabolomics experience will be a plus. Experience with compound isolation and purification using typical lab techniques and NMR skills to determine structures. Familiarity with synthetic methodologies. Experience with GLP studies is a plus. Ability to work in a multidisciplinary R&D team environment, as well as working independently, is important.

Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry with a minimum of 5 years of experience.  

Travel: <5% of time