Chromatography specialist

Separation processes represent a burgeoning field with immediate applications. Out of these processes, chromatography techniques are some of the most powerful tools available for the isolation, purification and characterisation of new substances or active ingredients and the analysis of organic and biochemical mixtures. Industrial and scientific applications of these techniques include gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, as well as, more recently, the systems associated with mass spectometers, proteomic tools and multidimensional chromatography. Chromatography technique specialists are responsible for developing chromatography-related R&D, process control and method validation analytical systems and methodologies, with their responsibilities including supervising and training the laboratory analysts, analysing chromatography data and drafting reports and standardised operating procedures. They usually work within a good laboratory practices environment, as part of an analysis department or a public or private research centre.

• Select and use advanced chromatography machines and techniques to analyse molecules.
• Provide support and training to colleagues on the use of the machines and computer software.
• Contribute to tuning new techniques and helping staff to adapt to the machines, and propose efficiency and safety-related improvements.
• Search for literature related to the research being carried out, keeping abreast of scientific developments and ensuring that these are applied to all of the company or technical service's products, processes and analytical methodologies.
• Develop analytical methods that determine products' characteristics and stability.
• Participate in necessary tasks to validate new analytical methodologies used.
• Take responsibility for coordination the preparation, treatment and derivatisation of samples.
• Supervise the performance and interpretation of the analysis of samples from the R&D and manufacturing departments, including monitoring synthetic processes and degradation products.
• Ensure that all work carried out cumplies with the good laboratory practices and, where necessary, with those for manufacturing and clinical trials.
• Contribute to the identification and characterisation of unknown impurities in the samples analysed.
• Identify ways of resolving separation or purification issues.
• Undertake the identification of unknown compounds by comparing them with the spectroteca associated with the coupled machines.
• Perform corrective and preventive maintenance on the machines, installing and upgrading them.
• Maintain experiment records and draft technical publications, validation and analysis method reports in a format that is intelligible for other departments.
• Participate in the establishment, synthesis and characterisation of reference samples.
• Create standardised operating procedures and other records for the maintenance and use of the analysis instruments.
• Fulfil tasks related to the organisation and monitoring of the team, and assess the needs and costs of consumable products and materials, managing stocks thereof.
  

Regulated training and graduates

• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Chemical Professional Families - Advanced Level: Laboratory for analysis and quality control
• Grau: Bioquímica
• Grau: Bioquímica i biologia molecular
• Grau: Química
• Grau: Enginyeria química
• Grau: Farmàcia

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Analytical thought: Level 2

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 2

Initiative: Level 2

Concern for order and quality: Level 3

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Strategic orientation: Level 2

Management

The organisation, administration and control of a company or entity are the main interests of people related to the management field. Activities included in this field of interest vary from effective resource management, feasibility analyses and solving business problems to the development of skills and fostering of motivation in relation to human resources. Knowledge regarding specific techniques of strategic administration and business management are required to carry out these activities.

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Drug development technician.

Chemical Laboratory Technician

Pharmaceutical chemist

Peptide and oligonucleotide synthesis specialist

Computational chemistry technician

• Work hours

  This professional usually works full-time from Monday to Friday, with intensive hours or split-shifts. Depending on the sample preparation and result analysis protocols, they may have to work outside their normal hours and even on weekends and public holidays, particularly if problems arise during the chromatography process.

• Salary

  The average salary for this job depends on the type of company and the professional's previous experience. The salary usually ranges from 22.237 to 26.438 euros per annum gross. Median: 24.247 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician