Analytical Chemist
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Advanced Analytical Chemistry Methods Branch (AACMB) located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. EPA ORD recently reorganized and these are the newly named Centers/Divisions/Branches. This was formerly in the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL).
This project will be to investigate, develop, and implement new bioanalytical chemistry methods to identify and quantify changes in biological systems related to exposure to chemicals of potential environmental concern. The research aims to improve sensitivity for detection of exogenous and endogenous metabolites, expand detection capability to complex matrices such as tissues, and broaden methods to include multiple chemicals from diverse classes in a single analysis.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in the following research activities:
- Chemical and sample management
- Preparing a variety of sample matrices (water, tissue, biofluids) for analysis
- Preparing calibration standards, matrix-matched calibrations, and quality control samples
- Developing and performing extraction methods
- Analytical method development and implementation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, LC/MS/MS, and high resolution-accurate mass (HR-AM) LC/MS/MS
- Routine instrument maintenance
- Documenting laboratory and research activities
- General laboratory activities, including reagent control, waste management, and sample custody
The learning objectives of this appointment include:
- Understanding of quality control and method validation procedures
- Understanding of analytically-appropriate sample preparation techniques
- Ability to use a variety of mass spectrometry techniques (GC/MS/MS; LC/MS/MS: HR-AM LC/MS/MS) to answer research questions
- Ability to optimize mass spectrometer instrument performance for analytes of interest
- Ability to perform use a variety of mass spectrometry experiments as appropriate
- Ability to use spectral libraries and accurate mass to identify unknowns detected in sample matrices
- Ability to troubleshoot instrument performance issues
The mentor for this opportunity is Denise MacMillan (MacMillan.Denise@epa.gov).
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Preferred skills:
- Experience in general laboratory operations, including reagent control, waste management, and glassware cleaning
- Experience with use of automated sample preparation equipment, solvent evaporation units, homogenizers, and centrifuges
- Experience with solid phase extraction (SPE), supported liquid extraction (SLE), and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) techniques
- Experience with liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), and Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)
- Skill with use of computer software packages including Microsoft Excel and Word, and instrument control software
- Written communication skills, including strong experience with method documentation and laboratory record keeping
This opportunity is available to US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.
If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (EPA-ORD-NHEERL-RCU-2020-01) in your email.