Pablo J. Lebed

Expert Analytical Chemist & Spectroscopy Specialist (PhD)

Västerås, Sweden
contact@thelabguy.org thelabguy.org

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Summary

PhD Analytical Chemist with 20+ years of experience in ICP-MS/MS, ICP-OES, and hyphenated techniques across radiochemistry, battery materials, nanomedicine, and environmental analysis. Deep expertise in ultra-trace elemental analysis, complex matrix method development and validation, and ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system implementation built organically from operational records including SOPs, risk assessments, equipment records, and competence documentation. Experienced in leading analytical development areas in both industrial QC and research environments across four countries. Founder of The Lab Guy, an independent platform for analytical chemistry knowledge and laboratory quality systems.

Work Experience

Investigator

Jan 2026 - Present
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority
  • ICP-MS/MS technical lead — methods, quality and laboratory readiness for ultra-trace radiochemical analysis.
  • Quality Manager: ISO/IEC 17025 QMS development — building quality management system organically from operational records including SOPs, risk assessments, equipment records, and competence documentation.

Senior Analytical Chemist

Dec 2021 - Jun 2025
Northvolt AB, Västerås, Sweden
  • Spearheaded the development and validation of new analytical methods.
  • Led the Development Area for ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, and TGA within the CAM and Revolt QC & Characterization Teams.
  • Developed and implemented Revolt's QC Lab Quality Management System, enhancing lab efficiency and reliability.
  • Implemented key routines for Incoming Quality Control, Deviation Management, and Continuous Improvement to optimize lab operations.

Environmental Chemist (Internship)

Jul 2025 - Sep 2025
Solarus Renewables AB, Sweden
  • Analyzed industrial wastewater treatment methods, linking them to costs such as CAPEX, OPEX, and LCA.
  • Compiled technical information into clear reports for decision-makers in the paper, food, and medicine industries.

Senior Engineer

Dec 2020 - Oct 2021
Institute for Energy Technology, Lillestrøm, Norway
  • Conducted trace element analysis for industrial R&D samples using ICP-MS and ICP-OES.
  • Developed an extraction chromatography method for the analysis of Strontium (Sr) isotopic ratios.

Research Scientist

Apr 2019 - Mar 2020
SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway
  • Developed methods for detecting nanomedicine carriers using a Postnova FFF system and Agilent ICP-MS-MS.
  • Set up sample preparation and analysis methods for fatty acids in fish oil using the GC-FID Agilent 8890 system.
  • Developed the Teledyne LSX-213 G2+ Laser Ablation system and successfully acquired the first customers.

Senior Engineer

Sep 2018 - Oct 2018
Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim, Norway
  • Conducted K-Ar Geochronology of Illites and developed a Potassium (K) measurement strategy.

Researcher & Post-Doctoral Researcher

Apr 2015 - Aug 2018
Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway
  • Developed and applied analytical strategies for selenium and chromium speciation analysis.
  • Contributed to the EU NANOREM project, developing a strategy to fingerprint nanomaterials and assess the mobility of iron nanoparticles.
  • Analyzed Sr-90 in fish samples from Chernobyl and developed the sample concentration and clean-up procedure.
  • Taught and demonstrated HPLC-ICP-MS for a university course.

Researcher & Post-Doctoral Researcher

Sep 2010 - Mar 2015
Laval University, Québec, Canada
  • Developed sample preparation strategies for radiochemistry and worked on the extraction of actinides and rare-earth elements.
  • Published two high-impact scientific articles and provided support and guidance to students.
  • Synthesized, characterized, and demonstrated the analytical performance of a new hybrid organic-inorganic adsorbent.
  • Successfully assigned the geo-origin of old Champagne samples using semi-quantitative ICP-MS analysis and PCA.

Technical Arsenal

Lab Technology

Spectroscopy/Spectrometry

ICP-MS-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, sp-ICP-MS, LC-ICP-MS, FFF-ICP-MS

Chromatography

GC-FID, HPLC-UV/VIS

Material Science

TEM, solid-state FTIR, solid-state NMR, nitrogen physisorption, TGA/DTA, XRD, XPS, DLS/PSA

Radiation Counters

Liquid Scintillation, Alpha Spectrometry

IT Tools

HTMLCSSJavaScriptLinuxGitGitHubVS CodeMS Office 365NotionJiraConfluence

Education

PhD Analytical Chemistry
Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
2010
BSc Biochemistry
Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
2003

Certifications & Memberships

  • Introduction to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) - RQA, 2018
  • Introduction to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) - RQA, 2019
  • SPC and Capability - Northvolt AB, 2023
  • American Society for Quality - ASQ (2023-2024)
  • American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM International (2023-present)
Languages
Spanish (Mother tongue) English (Professional) Norsk (A2) Svenska (A1)