Lead Research Chemist

Austincc; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Community College seeks a Lead Research Chemist to lead complex scientific research on human exposure to high-threat chemical agents, toxins, and drugs of abuse, and to oversee analytical method development using MS, chromatography, and related technologies.

The role requires coordinating multidisciplinary teams, planning and managing projects, and delivering timely results to support public health objectives and emergency response priorities.

Qualifications

• A degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering with 30 semester hours in chemistry plus calculus and 6 semester hours of physics.
• Or a combination of education and experience equivalent to the above requirements.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 in leading complex scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee basic and applied research on human exposure to high-threat chemical agents.
• Implement new analytical approaches for measuring exposure biomarkers.
• Oversee development and application of advanced analytical chemistry methods (MS, chromatography).
• Oversee data analysis and support epidemiologic investigations.
• Provide scientific leadership and oversight for multidisciplinary laboratory teams.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and monitor complex research projects to ensure quality and timeliness.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Mass spectrometry

Chromatography

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Chemistry or related degree with calculus and physics

Tools

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

The remaining content of the job description has been reformatted to remove extraneous boilerplate and to comply with the allowed tags.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As a Lead Research Chemist, you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by:

• Leading and overseeing basic and applied research investigating human exposure to high-threat chemical terrorism agents, toxins, and drugs of abuse through measurement of exposure biomarkers in biological matrices.
• Implementing new analytical approaches for measuring exposure biomarkers in biological matrices.
• Overseeing development and application of advanced analytical chemistry methods, including tandem and high-resolution mass spectrometry, chromatography, and related technologies.
• Overseeing data analysis techniques and evaluating research findings supporting exposure assessments and epidemiologic investigations.
• Serving as a Team Leader providing scientific leadership and technical oversight of laboratory staff performing advanced scientific research.
• Planning, organizing, prioritizing, distributing, and monitoring complex research projects to ensure quality, timeliness, and accomplishment of program objectives.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Basic Qualifications:

A. 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

B. 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.

AND

Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year of specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Leading and conducting complex scientific and technical research projects focused on human exposure assessment, public health threats, and emergency response priorities.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative research methods, laboratory approaches, and analytical processes to support surveillance, exposure assessment, and public health investigations.
• Analyzing and interpreting scientific data, translating research findings into actionable recommendations, and supporting evidence-based strategies that strengthen emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and public health outcomes.
• Providing scientific leadership and technical oversight for multidisciplinary teams, coordinating research activities, establishing priorities, monitoring progress, and ensuring the quality and timeliness of project deliverables.