Analytical Chemist — Regulatory Contaminants Research

Guidehouse; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 59,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

Group Term Life and Travel Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement, Personal/Certs

Employee Referral Program

Transit and Parking Benefits

Short-Term/Long-Term Disability

Job summary

Guidehouse seeks a scientist to support proficiency testing and regulatory food-safety analytics across diverse matrices. The role focuses on detection, characterization, and quantification of contaminants using GC-MS, LC-MS, and other instruments, contributing to FDA programs and interlaboratory studies.

The candidate will develop and validate analytical methods, analyze ISO/FDA standards data, and prepare technical reports.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology, or related field.
• 3–6 years of laboratory research experience in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical, environmental, or food safety programs.
• Experience operating GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, HPLC, or equivalent laboratory systems.
• Experience conducting laboratory studies involving chemical contaminants, analytical method evaluation, method validation, or proficiency testing.
• Experience collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data from laboratory and/or interlaboratory studies.
• Knowledge of ISO laboratory standards, quality systems, proficiency testing practices, and laboratory documentation requirements.
• Experience developing technical reports, scientific summaries, presentations, and research documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate scientific findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a laboratory research environment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD "public trust"; candidates must obtain approved adjudication prior to onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate analytical chemistry methods and related instrumentation for detection and quantification of chemical constituents and contaminants.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to assess homogeneity, stability, and distribution characteristics of chemical contaminants and biothreat agents across various food matrices.
• Perform sample preparation activities for proficiency testing studies and interlaboratory comparison exercises.
• Support development, optimization, validation, and implementation of analytical methods used for regulatory and food safety applications.
• Analyze laboratory and interlaboratory study data in accordance with ISO 17043, ISO 13528, ISO 5725, FDA, and other recognized laboratory standards.
• Generate technical summaries, analytical reports, scientific documentation, and research findings to support FDA programs and laboratory operations.
• Assist with planning and execution of proficiency testing exercises supporting FDA, state, and local laboratory networks.
• Maintain laboratory records, protocols, study documentation, and quality management documentation.
• Support validation and verification studies for analytical methods used to detect microbiological and chemical hazards in food products.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts, presentations, technical reports, and project summaries.
• Collaborate with FDA researchers, laboratory personnel, and external stakeholders participating in proficiency testing programs.
• Support laboratory operations, coordination activities, inventory management, and scientific project execution.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reporting on project progress, research findings, issues, risks, and mitigation activities.
• Attend scientific, technical, programmatic, and organizational meetings supporting program objectives.
• Complete all required corporate, client, safety, security, and laboratory training requirements.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory research

Scientific communication

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

GC-MS

LC-MS

ICP-MS

ICP-OES

HPLC

Job description

Guidehouse seeks a scientist to support proficiency testing and regulatory food-safety analytics across diverse matrices. The role focuses on detection, characterization, and quantification of contaminants using GC-MS, LC-MS, and other instruments, contributing to FDA programs and interlaboratory studies.

The candidate will develop and validate analytical methods, analyze ISO/FDA standards data, and prepare technical reports.