Chemical Threat Coordinator

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa seeks an experienced scientist for the Chemical Threat Coordinator role. This position leads the emergency preparedness program for chemical threats and environmental hazards, partnering with state, local, and federal agencies to provide expert scientific advice and timely laboratory analyses.

The Chemical Threat Coordinator acts as Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer and will develop and maintain all-hazard procedures for handling clinical

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, toxicology, or equivalent.
• Proven experience in an environmental and clinical public health lab setting.
• Strong communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead emergency preparedness program for chemical threats and environmental hazards.
• Serve as Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer and ensure safety procedures.
• Develop and maintain all-hazard procedures for handling hazardous samples.
• Coordinate outreach with state, local, and federal partners.

Skills

Emergency preparedness

Communication skills

Project management

Team leadership

Training/outreach

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory safety

Driver's license

Education

Master’s degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

Job description

T he State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa is seeking an experienced scientist to fill the Chemical Threat Coordinator role. This position leads the emergency preparedness program for chemical threats and environmental hazards in response to natural or human-caused emergencies, disasters, and terrorist actions in close partnership with state, local, and federal partners by providing expert scientific and technical advice and managing accurate and timely laboratory analyses. The Chemical Threat Coordinator acts as the Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer and will develop, validate, improve, and maintain all-hazard procedures for handling human clinical specimens, unknown environmental samples, toxicological samples, and other potentially hazardous materials. This position will also serve as a source of technical information in order to promote, maintain, and improve relationships with critical response partners through the design and implementation of a structured outreach program.

To meet CLIA regulations, an official transcript or a copy of an official transcript will be required prior to an offer of employment. (Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must have the transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/ and the applicant is responsible for all costs associated with that evaluation).

Work Schedule: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m, with possible nights, weekends and holidays to process samples. Additionally, frequent required travel. Position Status: Regular Work Modality: On-Site, In-Person

To learn more about the department visit https://shl.uiowa.edu/

For a full job description, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below.

About Pay and Compensation: Pay Grade: 5A
The hiring range for this position is anticipated to be $70,000-$73,000. Salary offers are based on a variety of factors, including education, experience, skills, and budget considerations. In limited circumstances, compensation outside of the anticipated range may be considered for candidates with exceptional qualifications.

Qualifications:

Education or Equivalency Required: A Master’s degree in chemistry, biololgy, forensic science, toxicology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrate proficient experience within an environmental and clinical public health lab setting.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrate professional project management experience.
• Demonstration of experience in leading teams.
• Experience with planning, designing, and/or delivering training or educational programming, to support community education and outreach.
• Experience performing analytical chemistry testing, preferably with LC-MS/MS and GC-MS instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory protocols for Environmental Health and Safety and Chemical Hygiene.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver’s license, and the ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards.

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge or experience with incident command and national incident management systems is highly desirable.
• Experience with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and the identification of unknowns.
• Experience with clinical, environmental, and/or toxicological chemistry practices.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in drills and exercises, preparation and monitoring of grants, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity and creation and implementation of new initiatives.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, LIS, and preparation of fiscal and operational reports is desirable.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check, credential/education verification, verification of a valid state or commercial driver’s license, and ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact: VPR Talent ( [e-mail] )

This position is eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation.

About the University of Iowa Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information

• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Contact Information

• Contact Name: VPR Talent

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .

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