Chemist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta seeks a chemist to develop and optimize LC-MS methods for identifying chemicals across diverse sample matrices, including human specimens. The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with method validation, and maintenance of advanced instrumentation.

You will ensure regulatory compliance, monitor quality metrics, and contribute to data capture while resolving complex analytic challenges in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering with 30 semester hours in chemistry and calculus, plus 6 semester hours of physics.
• One-year specialized experience at GS-11 equivalent with LC-MS methods, validation, and complex analyses.
• Resumes should include exact dates and hours; USAJOBS resume recommended.

Responsibilities

• Developing and optimizing analytical methods using LC-MS for chemical identification across multiple matrices.
• Performing validation experiments, monitoring quality metrics, and ensuring testing meets regulatory standards.
• Operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced lab instrumentation and software like LC-MS systems.
• Contributing to data capture improvements and using information resources.
• Executing complex chemical analyses with high accuracy and sound judgment.
• Identifying and resolving unexpected problems within established protocols.

Skills

LC-MS method development

Method validation

Instrument troubleshooting

Data analysis

Quality systems

Problem solving

Education

Chemistry degree + calculus + physics

Tools

LC-MS software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Environmental Health, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Duties

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Environmental Health, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Requirements

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Basic Qualifications for Chemistry Series, 1320: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualifications: You must have one-year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Developing and optimizing analytical methods using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for chemical identification and testing across multiple sample matrices, including human specimens, particularly when established methods require adaptation;
• Performing validation experiments for analytical methods, monitor key quality metrics, and follow established quality systems to ensure testing meets CLIA, ISO, or equivalent regulatory standards;
• Operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced laboratory instrumentation and software (e.g., LC-MS systems and data analysis tools);
• use available information resources and contribute to routine databases or data-capture improvements;
• Executing complex chemical analyses with high accuracy and sound technical judgment;
• identify and resolve unexpected problems in experimental procedures or data interpretation within established protocols.

Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited. OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Basic Qualifications for Chemistry Series, 1320: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualifications: You must have one-year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Developing and optimizing analytical methods using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for chemical identification and testing across multiple sample matrices, including human specimens, particularly when established methods require adaptation;
• Performing validation experiments for analytical methods, monitor key quality metrics, and follow established quality systems to ensure testing meets CLIA, ISO, or equivalent regulatory standards;
• Operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced laboratory instrumentation and software (e.g., LC-MS systems and data analysis tools);
• use available information resources and contribute to routine databases or data-capture improvements;
• Executing complex chemical analyses with high accuracy and sound technical judgment;
• identify and resolve unexpected problems in experimental procedures or data interpretation within established protocols.

Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited. OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American! At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere. It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.