Chemist

National Institutes of Health; Maryland; Remote; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland seeks an analytical chemist within the Clinical Pharmacology Program. The role supports clinical pharmacology and translational drug development by developing and applying quantitative bioanalytical methods to measure drugs and metabolites in biological samples.

Responsibilities include LC-MS/MS method development and validation, instrument maintenance, and data interpretation to support PK/PD objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience in quantitative bioanalysis and method development
• Familiarity with chromatographic techniques and validation
• Ability to interpret PK/PD data and communicate results

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, transfer, and apply LC-MS/MS methods for quantitative analysis of drugs and metabolites in biological samples.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot HPLC/UHPLC and tandem MS systems; evaluate sensitivity, selectivity, and matrix effects.
• Prepare calibrators, internal standards, blanks, and QC samples; document method validation and investigations.
• Acquire, process, review, and report quantitative data; support pharmacokinetic data interpretation for clinical studies.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Bioanalytical methods

Pharmacokinetics

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

LC-MS/MS

HPLC/UHPLC

Job description

• Hiring Agency: National Institutes of Health
• Department: Department of Health and Human Services

This position is located in the Clinical Pharmacology Program (CPP), Office of the Clinical Director (OCD), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as an analytical chemist supporting clinical pharmacology and translational drug-development research. The position develops, optimizes, validates, and applies quantitative bioanalytical methods to determine concentrations of drugs, metabolites, and related analytes in biological matrices, supporting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic investigations and clinical study objectives.

Develop, optimize, qualify, validate, transfer, and apply chromatographic and mass-spectrometric methods, particularly LC-MS/MS, for quantitative analysis of small-molecule drugs, metabolites, and selected peptides in biological specimens. Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot HPLC/UHPLC and tandem mass spectrometry systems; investigate sensitivity, selectivity, carryover, matrix effects, chromatographic interference, and analyte stability.

Design and execute sample preparation procedures, including protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, and solid-phase extraction; prepare calibrators, internal standards, blanks, and quality-control samples. Evaluate assay performance, including accuracy, precision, calibration range, lower limit of quantification, dilution integrity, selectivity, stability, and reproducibility; apply predefined acceptance criteria and document investigations.

Acquire, process, critically review, and report quantitative data; contribute to pharmacokinetic data interpretation and coordination with clinical pharmacology investigators. Maintain traceable records, SOPs, method-validation protocols, sample-analysis reports, and quality documentation consistent with applicable FDA/EMA bioanalytical guidance, ICH M10, and laboratory quality practices.

Coordinate specimen receipt, inventory, storage, transfers, and disposition; train laboratory personnel and communicate analytical findings to multidisciplinary study teams.

Requirements & Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $102415 - $133142/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-03.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.