Staff Scientist - Metabolomics

uchicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago invites applications for the Staff Scientist - Metabolomics within the BSD DFI Metabolomics group. The role focuses on designing studies, performing targeted and untargeted LC/GC-MS experiments, elucidating unknown compounds, and contributing to publications in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment.

In the clinical arm, you will develop and validate quantitative same-day assays in a CLIA-licensed, CAP-accredited lab, translating microbiome research into

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field.
• 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: —

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal teams, academic/industry partners, and UChicago clinical staff on study design and data interpretation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot LC and GC-MS instruments; perform targeted and untargeted metabolomics experiments.
• Support structural elucidation of unknown compounds; and contribute to data analysis, visualizations, and manuscripts as needed.
• Develop quantitative same-day blood and fecal assays for a CLIA/CAP clinical lab.
• Author SOPs covering sample handling, data collection, QC validation, and instrumentation logs; maintain reagents, solvents, calibrators, and QC materials.
• Enforce BSL-2 and chemical safety protocols; execute daily (Mon-Fri) sample testing and data reporting for clinical trials; and coordinate sample logistics and results communication with clinical and DFI teams.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Metabolomics

Data analysis

Scientific writing

LC-MS / GC-MS

Education

PhD in a related field

Tools

LC-MS instruments

GC-MS instruments

Job description

Department

BSD DFI - Metabolomics

About the Department

The Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) studies how the microbiome influences susceptibility to infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease. Using a multi-omic approach and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, the DFI identified and characterizes gut metabolites to understand microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions. The team supports the University of Chicago and external researcher through experimental design, custom analyses, and data visualization, while also developing rapid, same-day quantitative assays to help clinicians assess gut microbiome health in clinical settings.

The DFI partners with The University of Chicago Advanced Technology (UCAT) Laboratory, a CLIA-licensed, CAP-accredited clinical lab within the Department of Pathology specializing in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Together, they develop, validate, and deliver same-day, mass spectrometry-based diagnostics that translate microbiome science into actionable patient care.

Job Summary

The job facilitates and promotes a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource. Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction.

The Staff Scientist - Metabolomics will collaborate with a dynamic team of scientists, clinicians, and industry partners on cutting-edge metabolomics research - designing studies, performing targeted and untargeted LC and GC-MS experiments, elucidating unknown compounds, and contributing to publications. On the clinical side, the Staff Scientist - Metabolomics will develop and validate quantitative same-day assays in a CLIA-licensed, CAP-accredited lab, translating microbiome science into actionable diagnostics for patients enrolled in clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal teams, academic/industry partners, and UChicago clinical staff on study design and data interpretation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot LC and GC-MS instruments; perform targeted and untargeted metabolomics experiments.
• Support structural elucidation of unknown compounds; and contribute to data analysis, visualizations, and manuscripts as needed.
• Develop quantitative same-day blood and fecal assays for a CLIA/CAP clinical lab.
• Author SOPs covering sample handling, data collection, QC validation, and instrumentation logs; maintain reagents, solvents, calibrators, and QC materials.
• Enforce BSL-2 and chemical safety protocols; execute daily (Mon-Fri) sample testing and data reporting for clinical trials; and coordinate sample logistics and results communication with clinical and DFI teams.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: —

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Spearheaded mass spectrometry-based metabolic quantitation withing a CLIA/CAP regulated environment, ensuring rigorous compliance with clinical quality standards and method validation requirements.
• 3+ years of hands‑on expertise across the full MS data spectrum - targeted, untargeted, and quantitative workflows - to drive actionable insights and support high-throughput analytical pipelines.
• Established track record analyzing microbially derived metabolites across complex biological systems, with focused in gut microbiome metabolomics from both human and murine models.

Preferred Competencies

• End-to-end proficiency in GC-MS and LC-MS analytical pipelines across targeted and untargeted metabolomic workflows, from method development and sample preparation through data acquisition, analysis, and reporting; including experience with complex biological matrices and CLIA/CAP-regulated environments.
• Proven ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex data clearly to diverse scientific and clinical audiences.
• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven, with rigorous record-keeping practices and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously without sacrificing quality.

Working Conditions

• BSL-2 Laboratory environment.
• Physically capable of moving, connecting, and disconnecting gas cylinders that can weigh up to 200 pounds.

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.