Staff Chemist – Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM)

MRIGlobal; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MRIGlobal is seeking a Staff Chemist in Charlottesville, VA to advance chemical forensics and analytical research using elemental analysis, chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The role requires strong technical judgment and collaboration within a research-driven laboratory team. The candidate must be a U.S.

citizen eligible for a DoD security clearance. Key duties include developing methods, preparing samples, operating instrumentation, and contributing to technical reports and proposals for

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS in Chemistry or related field with related experience.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain lab records.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Direct or perform standard preparation, sample prep, and analysis tasks.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation.
• Develop and validate analytical methods and SOPs.

Skills

Spectroscopy theory

Analytical problem solving

Documentation

Collaboration in lab teams

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry

M.S. in Chemistry

B.S. in Chemistry

Tools

FIB-SEM

GC-MS

LC-MS

Job description

Staff Chemist – Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM)

MRIGlobal is seeking a Staff Chemist to join the Integrated Defense Solutions Business Unit Charlottesville, VA. position supports chemical forensics and analytical research using elemental analysis, chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise, sound scientific judgment, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative laboratory team.

Key Responsibilities and Success Factors

The Staff Chemist will support and lead research and development laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with applicable federal program requirements, quality assurance practices, safety requirements, and standard operating procedures. The role requires a strong understanding of spectroscopy and chromatography theory, practical experience operating analytical instrumentation, and the ability to apply scientific judgment to solve complex problems and meet client expectations. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to meet government security investigation requirements.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Direct or perform standard preparation, sample preparation, and sample analysis tasks.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a variety of analytical instrumentation

• Develop and validate analytical methods.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Perform technical reviews of analytical data and reports.
• Write or contribute to technical proposals, reports, and papers for publication or presenting clear results and concise, well supported conclusions.
• Communicate with Clients to provide updates and summarize testing results.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field; M.S. in Chemistry or a related field with a minimum 3 years of related experience; B.S. in Chemistry or a related field with 6 -8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong organizational skills, problem solving ability, and adaptability to changing priorities
• Ability to maintain complete, legible, and logically organized laboratory records documentation.
• PC skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, and Outlook) and ability to learn new software and systems.

Applicants MUST be a U.S. Citizen and be eligible to obtain a Department of Defense Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM).
• Prior experience with GC-MS and LC-MS instrumentation including high resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry.
• Experience maintaining laboratory compliance with applicable safety and security requirements.
• Prior Experience leading laboratory activities, technical projects, or scientific teams.
• Experience reviewing laboratory records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable procedures.