Senior Chemist in Reading, Pennsylvania at SOUTHERN PETROLEUM LABS

At SPL, the work you do matters. Our teams provide trusted energy and environmental testing and measurement solutions that protect communities, support critical infrastructure, and safeguard the environment. With a nationwide footprint and opportunities for growth across multiple locations and disciplines, SPL is a place where you can build a career while making a real-world impact.

We're seeking an experienced and highly technical Senior Chemist to join our environmental testing lab in Reading, PA.

In this role, you'll serve as a key technical leader, taking ownership of complex analytical challenges and helping drive the quality and efficiency of laboratory operations. You'll perform advanced analytical testing, troubleshoot instrumentation and method-related issues, optimize testing procedures, and ensure accurate, defensible results. You'll also collaborate with laboratory leadership to improve processes, lead technical investigations, and mentor laboratory staff, sharing your expertise and helping the team excel in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the lead technical resource for inorganic testing, overseeing analytical methods, instrument performance, and resolution of complex technical issues
• Perform advanced inorganic analysis on environmental and QC samples, including metals, nutrients, anions, and other inorganic parameters, in accordance with EPA methods and lab procedures
• Operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation, including IC, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, UV-Vis, FIA, discrete analyzers, and related equipment
• Review and validate analytical data, test results, and LIMS documentation to identify QA/QC issues, instrument drift, matrix interferences, and analytical discrepancies
• Develop, validate, transfer, and optimize analytical methods, SOPs, work instructions, and lab procedures
• Train and mentor lab staff on analytical methods, instrumentation, SOPs, QA/QC, and troubleshooting
• Lead technical investigations involving nonconformances, method deviations, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Support audits, data integrity, ISO/IEC 17025, TNI/NELAP, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with lab leadership to improve workflows, testing capacity, turnaround times, and overall lab performance
• Perform additional duties as assigned

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related scientific field
• 5+ years of progressive analytical laboratory experience in a regulated environment, including technical leadership, training, and mentorship
• Advanced hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, including IC, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, UV-Vis, FIA, or comparable equipment
• Demonstrated experience in analytical method development, validation, optimization, and technical troubleshooting
• Strong knowledge of EPA methods, QA/QC, data integrity, root cause analysis, CAPA, and TNI/NELAP requirements
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and LIMS

Work Schedule

• Full-time, on-site position
• Ability to work overtime, including evenings and weekends, as needed during peak seasons and periods of high laboratory demand

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly pay
• Annual reviews with consideration for performance-based increases
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At SPL, we believe that a diverse team is a strong team. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. We make all employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities or for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please let us know.

Visa Sponsorship

At this time, SPL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. We sincerely appreciate your interest and understanding, and we encourage you to explore other opportunities with us that may be a fit in the future.