Research Chemist

ERG; North Carolina; On-site; USD 60,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Long-term disability

Educational benefits

Generous 401k plan

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

A research and consulting firm in North Carolina is seeking a highly motivated Research Chemist to join their team. This role involves providing technical support, conducting research, and ensuring compliance with laboratory safety standards. The ideal candidate will have experience in gas chromatography and strong organizational skills. ERG offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to contribute to meaningful environmental research in a flexible work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in the operation of gas chromatography (GC) instrumentation, preferably 2+ years of operation.
• Proficiency with instrument plumbing – gas lines and liquid lines.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional technical support to improve scientific efficiency.
• Maintain laboratory spaces and ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Prepare test solutions and compounds for laboratory personnel.

Skills

Gas chromatography (GC) operation

Instrument plumbing

Laboratory hygiene processes

Legible writing

Microsoft Office proficiency

Technical manual interpretation

Organizational skills

EPA air emissions methodologies

Technical documentation writing

Use of industrial PPE

Tools

GC/MS instrumentation

Job description

Overview

ERG is a research and consulting firm that provides a wide range of support to federal, state, and commercial clients. ERG offers multidisciplinary teams with nationally recognized skills in engineering, science, economics, public health, informational technology, and communications. We hire people with the best minds and then provide them with a vibrant and flexible environment in which to develop their careers. The qualified individual must be highly motivated with the skills to prioritize, perform, and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Chemist to join our growing technical team. This role is ideal for a driven professional with knowledge beyond rudimentary academics of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, hazards & danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. or a related field who is eager to take ownership of complex projects and contribute to meaningful environmental and combustion research.

The successful candidate will initially focus on hands-on technical execution and will quickly grow into opportunities to lead projects, influence technical direction, and support team development.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional technical support within allocated task resources and contribute to an overall increase in efficiency of scientific support with increasing independent accomplishment
• Adhere to Quality Assurance Program Plans, Work or Test Plans, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), Health & Safety Plans. Thoroughly, consistently, and completely document all laboratory activities in specified notebooks
• Maintain laboratory spaces according to the criteria specified by Safety, Health, and Environmental Management. Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed
• Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests
• Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests
• Preparation, extraction, and analysis for target compounds from various environmental sample matrices and sampling equipment or media (i.e., air sampling canisters, XAD, thermal desorption tubes, SPE cartridges, derivatization cartridges, filters)
• Preparation of sampling media (i.e., XAD, filters, canisters, thermal desorption tubes, etc.) prior to field deployment for sample collection. Accurately document the preparation
• Analysis of sample preparations by GC/MS, LC/MS, or other techniques. Reduction of sample data and reporting of analytical results in a timely manner
• Conduct quality control tests and evaluate against data quality indicator goals. Perform corrective actions as prescribed by QA and/or project management
• Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed
• Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions
• Communicate processes, results, and challenges to supervisor and management team
• Assist in writing technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests
• Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods
• Recommend purchasing of laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, to maintain working inventory

Qualifications and Skills

• At a minimum have experience in the operation of gas chromatography (GC) instrumentation, preferably 2+ years operation of GC/MS instrumentation for EPA methods
• Proficiency with instrument plumbing – gas lines and liquid lines
• Familiarity with basic laboratory hygiene processes and protocols
• Must have legible writing
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products as well as analytical or scientific software
• Ability to interpret technical manuals, equipment documentation, and laboratory procedures
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experience applying EPA air emissions methodologies
• Proven ability to write technical documentation, including safety plans, operational procedures, facility manuals, and technical reports
• Occasional lifting up to 35 lbs. (<5%)
• Regular use of industrial PPE, including safety glasses, protective footwear, lab coats, and gloves (~80%)
• Work in moderate industrial noise environments (<10%)

Compensation

$60,000 - $84,000 a year

ERG offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, educational benefits, FSAs, a generous 401k plan, profit sharing, an EAP, 11-20 paid vacation days per year, 10 paid holidays per year, 56 hours or more of sick leave (based on the state you work in) per year (pro-rated for part-time) and more. The salary range for all positions depends on the years and type of experience.

ERG is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable EEOC regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Please be aware, the only authentic corporate domain for ERG is https://www.erg.com. ERG may, on occasion, screen applicants via telephone or video interviews via Skype, Teams, GoToMeeting, or another type of video platform. However, any candidate extended a job offer might be asked to meet in person with an ERG employee before providing confidential personal information associated with new employment.

If you’re a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ERG’s online application process as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources via email at [e-mail] or call [phone].

ERG fosters a friendly, flexible work environment. ERGers are dedicated to serving clients who are committed to making the world a better place. We promote and recognize principles of fairness and respect in the work we do, the partnerships we foster, and the culture we value both within and outside of our organization.