Scientist

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Missouri System seeks a Scientist to design, perform, and validate targeted UPLC-MS/MS analyses for environmental and public-health surveillance, supporting nationwide programs. The role emphasizes data interpretation, collaboration with public-health partners, and ensuring regulatory-compliant reporting.

Responsibilities include method development, quality systems maintenance, and mentoring staff in analytical techniques, with a Monday–Friday work schedule and a strong focus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and at least 3 years of experience.
• PhD in Environmental/Analytical Chemistry or related field.
• In-depth experience with targeted UPLC-MS/MS method development and validation.
• Experience with metabolomics workflows and data processing.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, validate, and optimize targeted UPLC-MS/MS analyses for surveillance.
• Conduct metabolomic and bioanalytical investigations and interpret data.
• Collaborate with investigators and partners to integrate findings.
• Maintain lab quality systems and contribute to method development.

Skills

Programming

Data interpretation

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

UPLC-MS/MS

Mass spectrometry

Bioinformatics tools

GLP systems

Job description

Hiring Department

School of Natural Resources

Job Description

The Scientist position is essential to meeting contractual, analytical, and reporting obligations across all three funded initiatives. To our knowledge, MU is currently one of the largest and most comprehensive COVID-19, other pathogens (including influenza, RSV, measles, monkeypox) and school-based opioid wastewater surveillance programs in the United States, and likely globally. In collaboration with MODHSS, InkFish LLC, and industry partners, we are processing wastewater samples from more than 200 facilities/schools per week across Missouri and other major U.S. cities. Results and methodological advances are routinely shared with health professionals, policymakers, scientists, industry partners, and the general public.

Key Responsibilities:

• Designs, performs, validates, and optimizes targeted UPLC-MS/MS analyses for environmental and public-health surveillance programs, ensuring analytical accuracy, quality control, regulatory compliance, and defensible reporting of wastewater biomarkers.
• Conducts metabolomic and bioanalytical investigations; evaluates complex environmental data; interprets findings; identifies trends; and recommends analytical approaches that support research objectives and population-health monitoring.
• Collaborates with principal investigators, public-health agencies, informatics teams, and industry partners to integrate laboratory findings with surveillance objectives, communicate technical results, and support project deliverables.
• Maintains laboratory quality systems; contributes to method development and validation activities; trains and mentors students or staff as needed; participates in scientific reporting, presentations, publications, and other related duties.

Shift

Monday - Friday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related field.
• 3-4 years of experience in targeted UPLC-MS/MS method development, validation, and quantitative analysis in complex biological or environmental matrices.
• Demonstrated expertise in metabolomics workflows, including sample preparation, instrument optimization, data processing, and multivariate statistical interpretation.
• Hands-on experience with modeling , programming and software including mathematical modeling, process simulation, and molecular modeling.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting high-resolution or triple quadrupole mass spectrometry platforms under GLP or equivalent quality systems.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics and data analytics, including management of large datasets, statistical modeling, normalization strategies, and population-level interpretation.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate analytical chemistry outputs with demographic, epidemiologic, or community-level datasets to generate actionable public-health insights.
• Experience interpreting and applying multiple technical frameworks simultaneously, including:
• Validated laboratory methods and instrument performance criteria
• Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols
• Data governance and privacy policies
• Sponsor-specific reporting requirements and regulatory guidelines
• Strong understanding of analytical validation parameters (LLOQ, linearity, precision, accuracy, ion ratio tolerance, matrix effects, etc.) and documentation practices.
• Experience preparing technical reports, sponsor deliverables, and regulatory-compliant documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly varied and abstract environment, reconciling analytical performance, data integrity, demographic context, and program objectives to produce accurate, defensible, and actionable outputs.
• Ability to maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and external regulatory requirements while supporting translational and scalable analytical platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, with strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $53,976 - $85,000 per year

Grade: GGS 10

University Title: Scientist

Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

MU application, CV/Resume

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.