Project Scientist

CV in; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus opportunities

Company-subsidized medical and dental

Company-paid life and disability

401k match

Tuition assistance

Cross-training

Job summary

Apex Companies is seeking a Project Scientist in Chicago to direct technical environmental field and regulatory work while guiding junior staff. You will influence project outcomes and protect communities through oversight, compliance, and client-focused delivery.

Responsibilities include maintaining rigorous documentation, coordinating subcontractors, and producing high-quality technical reports and field documentation to support regulatory alignment and project success.

Qualifications

• BS in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or related scientific field required.
• 4+ years of environmental consulting or related industry experience with strong technical writing and field oversight responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide purposeful oversight to ensure project compliance and quality outcomes.
• Maintain detailed records to support program adherence and fiscal accountability.
• Coordinate subcontractors with general contractors and clients to ensure fieldwork safety, efficiency, and compliance.
• Keep projects on schedule and within standards with oversight.
• Communicate results through accurate, defensible records and reports.

Skills

Mentoring

Technical writing

Multitasking

Safety awareness

Education

BS in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or related scientific field

Tools

Microsoft 365

HAZWOPER training

Job description

About the role

Project Scientist at Apex Companies. About the role This role directs technical environmental field and regulatory work while guiding junior colleagues. The scientist influences project outcomes and community protection through oversight and compliance. Daily responsibilities respond to client and partner objectives.

About this type of role

Research roles build new knowledge and test ideas. Researchers design studies, run experiments, and analyze results. The work spans academic labs, corporate R&D, and product research. Rigor, reproducibility, and clear reporting are the standards that matter. Research work is evaluated on rigor and reproducibility. Most researchers keep detailed lab books or version-controlled analysis code.

Key facts

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Engagement: Full-time
• Compensation: $65000 to $75000
• Team: Project teams in the AEC industry
• Years: 4+
• Degree: BS in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or related scientific field

What you\'ll do

• Purposeful oversight ensures project compliance and quality outcomes.
• Detailed records support program adherence and fiscal accountability.
• Subcontractor coordination is managed with general contractors and clients to ensure fieldwork safety, efficiency, and compliance.
• Clear oversight keeps projects on schedule and within standards.
• Results are communicated through accurate, defensible records.
• Technical reports, proposals, and field documentation are prepared, reviewed, and managed for accuracy and completeness.
• Rigorous review protects client interests and regulatory alignment.
• Rapid response protects public health and environmental safety when needed.
• Junior scientific staff receive mentoring and training, with emphasis on safe work practices and technical skill development.
• Knowledge transfer strengthens team capacity and consistency.

Requirements

• A BS in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or related scientific field is required for this role.
• At least 4 years of environmental consulting or related industry experience with strong technical writing and field oversight responsibilities is required.
• Managing Illinois EPA Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program and Site Remediation Program projects, including regulatory reports, work plans, budgets, and reimbursement documentation, is highly preferred for complex initiatives.
• Experience with UST/AST systems, environmental sampling, remediation oversight, and subcontractor coordination is preferred to maintain execution standards.
• Familiarity with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency regulations and tank programs is highly preferred for regulatory accuracy.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities across field and office settings is required to balance dynamic demands.
• Mentoring and training junior staff is expected to build sustainable team performance.
• A strong commitment to health and safety with understanding of safe field practices is required on every assignment.
• Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is required, with an 8-hour refresher preferred for operational readiness.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 is required for documentation and communication workflows.
• A valid driver\u2019s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel locally to project sites are required for field execution.

Practical notes

• Positions are eligible for annual bonus opportunities.
• Company-subsidized medical and dental, company-paid life and disability, 401k match, tuition assistance, and cross-training are provided.

Typical interview steps

Research interviews usually include a presentation of past work, a technical discussion, and sometimes a research proposal exercise. Candidates may be asked to design a study or critique a method. Depth of understanding is tested more than speed. Interviewers often ask you to present your past work in depth. Being ready to defend every methodological choice is the core preparation.

Good to know

Work in environmental consulting that focuses on site investigations and remediation. Typical tools include Microsoft 365 and HAZWOPER-trained field procedures. Roles often involve client collaboration, field oversight, and regulatory reporting. Career growth can include mentoring, project leadership, and cross-disciplinary work. Field and office balance is common in this kind of scientific consulting.

Career growth

Research careers grow from junior researcher to senior scientist, principal, and lab or research director roles. Some people move into applied research and product work. Publication record or demonstrable impact drives progression, depending on the setting. Research careers reward a strong publication or delivery record. Applied research roles value impact on products as much as novelty.