Section Head for Food Instrumentation and Residue Analysis

As the Lead of the Residue Analysis & Instrumentation section in the laboratory, your role involves overseeing and managing the analysis of pesticides, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and other contaminants in food samples. You will be responsible for operating, supervising, and maintaining advanced analytical instruments such as LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, ICP-MS / ICP-OES, HPLC, GC, AAS, UV-Vis, and FTIR. Your duties include ensuring compliance with NABL (ISO/IEC 17025:2017), FSSAI guidelines, Codex, and BIS standards. You will also be involved in method validation, verification, calibration, and measurement of uncertainty. Reviewing and authorizing test reports as an Authorized Signatory, coordinating with QA/QC and Quality Head for audits, CAPA, and proficiency testing programs, guiding, training, and mentoring analysts/technicians, ensuring proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance qualification of instruments, liaising with clients for technical discussions, result interpretation, and regulatory queries, preparing for and representing the section during NABL and FSSAI audits/inspections, and maintaining compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), safety, and documentation protocols. Qualifications and Skills: - Master's / Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Food Technology, Biotechnology, or related sciences. - Minimum 8-12 years of hands-on experience in instrument-based food analysis with a strong exposure to residue testing. - Excellent practical knowledge of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and related advanced instruments. - Proven expertise in method validation, uncertainty measurement, and regulatory compliance. - FSSAI Food Analyst Exam qualified (mandatory or highly preferred). - Eligible / experienced as an Authorized Signatory in an NABL-accredited laboratory. - Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. - Excellent communication skills for client interaction and technical reporting. - Proficiency in LIMS and laboratory documentation practices is preferred.,