Scientist

Company Description

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant® is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Scientist (S6) responsible for the isolation and purification of target analytes, metabolites, and reference materials supporting LC–MS analytical method development and validation. Applies analytical chemistry and separation science to moderately complex problems, exercising independent scientific judgment and creativity while operating within defined procedures and program objectives. Owns isolation/purification workstreams end-to-end — from experimental design through execution, data interpretation, and delivery of fit-for-purpose, characterized materials to downstream method development.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Design and execute isolation and purification workflows using preparative and analytical HPLC (RP-C18, normal-phase), SEC, and SPE to isolate target compounds and reference materials from complex biological matrices.
• Confirm identity, structure, and purity of isolated materials using orthogonal characterization (1D/2D NMR, LC–MS, UV-Vis, IR), and document fit-for-purpose acceptance criteria in collaboration with other scientists
• Develop and optimize separation and purification methods for moderately complex problems, exercising independent scientific judgment to adapt conditions to novel or difficult separations.
• Maintain rigorous documentation (SOPs, batch records) consistent with program analytical quality and regulatory requirements.
• Perform routine calibration, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance of HPLC/LC– and associated instrumentation.
• Collaborate across the project team on isolation strategy and material readiness; explain moderately complex topics and build alignment with method development, automation, and QC functions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to research associates supporting routine execution.
  
  

• Ph.D. in Organic / Analytical Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Key qualification: Demonstrated expertise in isolation and structure elucidation of small molecules / natural products from complex biological matrices.
• Hands-on proficiency with preparative and analytical HPLC, RP-C18, normal-phase, SEC, and SPE.
• Strong structural characterization skills using 1D/2D NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, IR, and polarimetry.
• Experience synthesizing small molecules and preparing reference standards for analytical use.
• Proficiency with relevant scientific software (MassLynx, TopSpin, MestReNova, ChemDraw, ChemStation, Magellan, SciFinder).
• Instrument operation, calibration, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance experience.
• Strong scientific communication skills; fluent in English.
  
  

• Demonstrate curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to critically evaluate and responsibly leverage AI-enabled tools in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of work.