Emerging Threats Chemist

Leidos•Aberdeen, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos is hiring an Emerging Threats 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. The chemist will support DEVCOM CBC’s Threat Agent Sciences Mission across environmental response, employment characterization, and chemical agent first-look programs. Working with Federal Government staff and Leidos personnel, the role performs initial hazard assessments of emerging threats by evaluating synthesis routes, physical and chemical properties, stability, and preliminary toxicological considerations. The work may also assess the persistence, degradation, environmental impacts, and hazards of threat materials after dissemination or environmental exposure. The position supports basic and applied research, development, testing and evaluation, and training efforts intended to support the U.S. Warfighter. The chemist may serve as a principal investigator, technical lead, or research team member; participate in agent operations; conduct chemical synthesis, instrumental analysis, testing, and controlled environmental-exposure experiments; and analyze samples from vapor, soil, water, and tissue matrices. Laboratory and program duties also include preparing analytical standards, evaluating chemical and physical properties, maintaining procedures and technical records, coordinating laboratory management activities, and communicating progress and findings to customers and stakeholders. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen and obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Clearance. Enrollment in and maintenance of DEVCOM CBC’s Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) certification may be a required condition of the position. The posted pay range is $73,450.00–$132,775.00; actual compensation may depend on factors including responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, and market data.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree and at least 5 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.
Enrollment in and maintenance of DEVCOM CBC’s Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) certification may be required.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science degree with at least 2 years of experience in the aforementioned technical fields.
Prior experience working across multiple program areas in 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 research programs in the First Look, Employment Characterization, and Environmental Response portfolios as a principal investigator, technical lead, or research team member.
Participate routinely in agent operations as a primary or secondary operator.
Conduct activities that may include 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 and 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 communicate routinely with program customers, stakeholders, and internal technical teams.
Perform initial hazard assessments of emerging threats, including evaluation of synthesis routes, physical and chemical properties, stability, and preliminary toxicological considerations.
Assess the persistence, degradation, environmental impacts, and hazards of threat materials following dissemination or environmental exposure, as assigned.