What does an analytical scientist do?
The duties of an analytical scientist depend on their place or industry of employment. An analytical scientist specializes in conducting tests and experiments using different analytical techniques to identify or develop chemical compositions. Their tasks typically revolve around maintaining extensive documentation of all procedures, reviewing and interpreting results, and summarizing them for reports and other documentation. Moreover, an analytical scientist may coordinate with other scientists on projects, prepare presentations for different audiences, and even train junior scientists.
Analytical scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real analytical scientist resumes:
- Major responsibility are to develop, enhance and validate LC-MS/MS methods and to manage regulate GLP bioanalysis.
- Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
- Perform stability testing using UV/Vis and HPLC for assay, relate compound, and dissolution to support the regulatory compliance.
- Generate technical reports and collaborate with QC for validation and assay transfer.
- Perform USP water testing and disintegration testing.
- Formulate analysis for methods by GC & ICP.
- Participate in routine customer audits, including FDA and API inspections.
- Complete all cGMP, GLP, and/or safety training as applicable to job requirements.
- Perform repairs and preventative maintenance on IC systems; train users on the systems.
- Maintain manuals for FDA, OSHA regulations, input data for MSDS and safety logs.
- Act on a USP request to generate a dissolution procedure for an alternative dosage form.
- Perform all cGMP testing, validation and documentation procedures for API release for preclinical/ clinical trials.
- Authore technical documents for method development, validation, transfer and drug product stability applying ICH guidance and principles.
- Develop and validate a method for determination of organic solvents at residual levels in the substances using GC Headspace.
- Perform duties in compliance with all state and federal regulation and guidelines including FDA, EPA, OSHA and DEA.
Analytical scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Analytical Scientists are proficient in HPLC, GMP, and Analytical Chemistry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Data-analysis skills, Observation skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Analytical Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- HPLC, 8%
Implemented a Universal HPLC approach for the development and validation of Cleaning Verification Methods for residual API on manufacturing equipment surfaces.
- GMP, 5%
Performed sampling and chemical/physical testing on feasibility and GMP batches.
- Analytical Chemistry, 5%
Mentored junior scientific staff in analytical chemistry activities and troubleshooting.
- Java, 4%
Redeveloped data processing utilities to enable calculations using Model Builder and Java.
- Data Analysis, 4%
Present data analysis by formal lab reports and utilizing Perkin-Elmer Electronic Lab Notebook.
- QC, 3%
Reduced QC Laboratory expenses via economic procurement of parts and supplies and performing in-house repairs and calibrations.
"hplc," "gmp," and "analytical chemistry" are among the most common skills that analytical scientists use at work. You can find even more analytical scientist responsibilities below, including:
Data-analysis skills. One of the key soft skills for an analytical scientist to have is data-analysis skills. You can see how this relates to what analytical scientists do because "medical scientists use statistics to evaluate research questions and information from clinical trials." Additionally, an analytical scientist resume shows how analytical scientists use data-analysis skills: "calibrated and maintained laboratory equipment, ensured compliance, participated in troubleshooting, problem solving, and data-analysis. "
Observation skills. Many analytical scientist duties rely on observation skills. "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data.," so an analytical scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways analytical scientist responsibilities rely on observation skills: "execute animal clinical trials, including vaccination, sample collections, necropsy, challenges, clinical observations, and data management. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of analytical scientists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday analytical scientist duties, as "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "increased communication between the flow cytometry group and bioassay group. "
The three companies that hire the most analytical scientists are:
- Eurofins20 analytical scientists jobs
- Bristol-Myers Squibb8 analytical scientists jobs
- Ricerca Biosciences7 analytical scientists jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable analytical scientist resume templates
Build a professional analytical scientist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your analytical scientist resume.
Compare different analytical scientists
Analytical scientist vs. Quality control coordinator
A quality control coordinator is in charge of organizing and overseeing an organization's quality control procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They coordinate teams and activities, delegate tasks, conduct audits, set goals, establish guidelines, gather and analyze client feedback, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They must also conduct inspections to ensure the facility's compliance with state laws and standards. Furthermore, a quality control coordinator must monitor the progress of all operations, resolving issues promptly and efficiently while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an analytical scientist are more likely to require skills like "analytical chemistry," "java," "qc," and "ms." On the other hand, a job as a quality control coordinator requires skills like "patients," "data entry," "quality standards," and "corrective action." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Quality control coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $69,043. On the other hand, analytical scientists are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $98,404.quality control coordinators tend to reach lower levels of education than analytical scientists. In fact, quality control coordinators are 12.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Analytical scientist vs. Chemist
Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that analytical scientist responsibilities requires skills like "analytical chemistry," "java," "qc," and "analytical method development." But a chemist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "chemistry," "lab equipment," "method development," and "test methods."
Chemists earn a lower average salary than analytical scientists. But chemists earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $75,495. Additionally, analytical scientists earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $98,404 annually.In general, chemists achieve lower levels of education than analytical scientists. They're 10.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 6.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Analytical scientist vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an analytical scientist is likely to be skilled in "gmp," "analytical chemistry," "java," and "qc," while a typical postdoctoral research associate is skilled in "python," "research projects," "chemistry," and "post-doctoral."
Postdoctoral research associates earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $69,999. Analytical scientists earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $98,404.postdoctoral research associates typically earn lower educational levels compared to analytical scientists. Specifically, they're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 39.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Analytical scientist vs. Quality control analyst
Quality assurance representatives are professionals who are responsible for ensuring the quality of units produced or manufactured is following the standards set by the industry. These representatives supervise the entire production process to identify erroneous methods or tools being used by workers and observing produced for visible defects. They are required to perform various tests to check for the durability of the product and other desirable characteristics. Quality assurance representatives must also collaborate with the manufacturing engineer to implement quality control programs and preparing training manuals and quality guidelines.
Types of analytical scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
