Regulatory Chemical Contaminants Researcher

Guidehouse • Silver Spring, MD

2d • $65,000 - $108,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Our federal client requires scientific and technical support for its proficiency testing program that supports national food safety, laboratory readiness, emergency preparedness, method validation, and interlaboratory comparison studies involving chemical contaminants and biothreat agents. The researcher will support laboratory research, focused on detection, characterization, and quantification of chemical contaminants and hazardous agents across diverse food matrices using advanced analytical instrumentation and internationally recognized laboratory standards.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum three to six (3–6) years of laboratory research experience supporting analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical, environmental, or food safety programs.
• Experience operating and maintaining analytical instrumentation such as GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, HPLC, or equivalent laboratory systems.
• Experience conducting laboratory studies involving chemical contaminants, analytical method evaluation, method validation, or proficiency testing.
• Experience collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data from laboratory and/or interlaboratory studies.
• Knowledge of ISO laboratory standards, quality systems, proficiency testing practices, and laboratory documentation requirements.
• Experience developing technical reports, scientific summaries, presentations, and research documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate scientific findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a laboratory research environment.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or related scientific discipline.
• Experience supporting FDA, USDA, CDC, public health, food safety, or other regulatory laboratory programs.
• Experience with ISO/IEC 17043 proficiency testing programs and method validation procedures.
• Experience evaluating contaminants, toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, or biothreat agents in food matrices.
• Experience authoring peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, white papers, or regulatory science reports.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and apply analytical chemistry methods and related instrumentation for detection and quantification of chemical constituents and contaminants.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to assess homogeneity, stability, and distribution characteristics of chemical contaminants and biothreat agents across various food matrices.
• Perform sample preparation activities for proficiency testing studies and interlaboratory comparison exercises.
• Support development, optimization, validation, and implementation of analytical methods used for regulatory and food safety applications.
• Analyze laboratory and interlaboratory study data in accordance with ISO 17043, ISO 13528, ISO 5725, FDA, and other recognized laboratory standards.
• Generate technical summaries, analytical reports, scientific documentation, and research findings to support FDA programs and laboratory operations.
• Assist with planning and execution of proficiency testing exercises supporting FDA, state, and local laboratory networks.
• Maintain laboratory records, protocols, study documentation, and quality management documentation.
• Support validation and verification studies for analytical methods used to detect microbiological and chemical hazards in food products.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts, presentations, technical reports, and project summaries.
• Collaborate with FDA researchers, laboratory personnel, and external stakeholders participating in proficiency testing programs.
• Support laboratory operations, coordination activities, inventory management, and scientific project execution.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reporting on project progress, research findings, issues, risks, and mitigation activities.
• Attend scientific, technical, programmatic, and organizational meetings supporting program objectives.
• Complete all required corporate, client, safety, security, and laboratory training requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Care.com annual membership
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level