Chemist

Leidos•Aberdeen, MD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos is hiring a Chemist in its Non-Kinetic Effects Business Area within the Defense Sector. The position is based at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and supports DEVCOM CBC’s Threat Agent Sciences Mission through basic and applied research. The Chemist works with Federal Government staff and Leidos personnel to conduct initial chemical hazard assessments, including evaluation of synthesis routes, physical and chemical properties, stability, and preliminary toxicological considerations. The role may also assess the persistence, degradation, environmental impacts, and hazards of threat materials after dissemination or environmental exposure. The role supports DEVCOM CBC research, development, testing and evaluation, and training efforts intended to support the U.S. Warfighter. Work includes laboratory research and agent operations involving chemical synthesis, instrumental analysis, testing, and controlled environmental-exposure experiments. The Chemist analyzes samples from vapor, soil, water, and tissue matrices; prepares analytical standards; evaluates chemical properties; develops and maintains laboratory procedures and research documentation; and supports laboratory management, reporting, and communication with customers and technical teams. The position requires U.S. citizenship and a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Clearance. Enrollment in and maintenance of DEVCOM CBC’s Chemical Personnel Reliability Program certification may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree and 5 or more years of experience in chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental science, chemical engineering, toxicology, materials science, or a related scientific discipline.
Experience conducting laboratory research involving hazardous materials, chemical analysis, environmental fate, chemical properties, or related technical areas.
Working knowledge of chromatographic and mass-spectrometric analytical techniques, particularly GC-MS, LC-MS, and LC-MS/MS.
Experience preparing analytical standards, performing instrument calibration, and supporting quality-control or calibration-verification activities.
Ability to develop laboratory procedures, test plans, technical reports, and progress updates.
Demonstrated attention to laboratory safety, chemical inventory control, waste-management procedures, and documentation requirements.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical findings to customers and program stakeholders.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science degree and 2 or more years of experience in the aforementioned technical fields.
Prior experience working across multiple program areas under one role.
Previous experience with or enrollment in chemical safety and monitoring programs, such as DEVCOM CBC’s Personnel Reliability Program (PRP).

Responsibilities

Support new and ongoing basic and applied research programs as a principal investigator, technical lead, or research team member to meet program goals and objectives.
Routinely participate in agent operations as a primary or secondary operator, including activities such as chemical synthesis, instrumental analysis and testing, and controlled environmental-exposure experiments.
Analyze samples from vapor, soil, water, and tissue matrices for target compounds and degradation products using analytical instrumentation and methods.
Prepare analytical standards from surety material to support instrument calibration and calibration-verification requirements.
Determine and evaluate chemical physical properties, including vapor pressure, solubility, density, viscosity, surface tension, flash point, thermal stability, partition coefficient, and acid dissociation constant.
Develop, revise, and maintain laboratory procedures, test plans, research documentation, and technical reports.
Support laboratory management, including equipment and supply inventory, chemical tracking, waste-disposal coordination, and maintenance of laboratory procedures and records.
Prepare monthly progress reports and maintain routine communication with program customers, stakeholders, and internal technical teams.
Conduct initial hazard assessments of chemicals by evaluating synthesis routes, physical and chemical properties, stability, and preliminary toxicological considerations.
Assess the persistence, degradation, environmental impacts, and hazards associated with threat materials following dissemination or environmental exposure, as assigned.