Senior Scientist

Guidehouse•Bethesda, MD

17h•$149,000 - $248,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Senior Scientist to support the National Institute on Aging (NIA) research program through advanced synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and laboratory operations support. This is a full-time position located in Baltimore, MD. The role involves designing synthesis schemes, preparing and purifying compounds, leading research projects, examining biochemical pathways, applying various synthesis approaches, performing chemical modifications, supporting complex lipo-particles analysis, maintaining laboratory instrumentation, training personnel, managing documentation, coordinating with junior staff, supporting resource planning, searching scientific literature, analyzing and interpreting findings, co-authoring manuscripts, presenting research, attending meetings, and adhering to safety and confidentiality requirements. This is an incumbent capture position.

Requirements

Master's degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
Minimum TEN (10) years of experience supporting biological, biochemical, synthetic chemistry, or related laboratory research programs.
Background conducting organic synthesis and compound purification activities.
Proficiency utilizing analytical techniques including HPLC, LCMS, MS/MS, UV-Vis, and NMR.
Demonstrated ability to maintain laboratory records, research documentation, and electronic laboratory notebooks.
Skilled in analyzing and interpreting scientific data and preparing technical reports.
Ability to train laboratory personnel and provide technical guidance.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work onsite in a laboratory environment and comply with established safety requirements.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD “public trust”; candidates must receive approved adjudication prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an active public trust or suitability are preferred.
Incumbent capture – no other candidates were considered due to an identified incumbent who meets the labor category requirements provided by the customer

Nice To Haves

Advanced background in synthetic organic chemistry.
Knowledge of endogenous lipid mediator synthesis and characterization.
Familiarity with oxylipins, endocannabinoids, lipid-peptide adducts, and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs).
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Hands-on use of enzymatic synthesis techniques, including lipoxygenase enzyme applications.
Exposure to laboratory operations, resource planning, and equipment lifecycle management.
Track record authoring peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Ability to present research findings at national scientific meetings and conferences.
Prior support for federal research programs, academic laboratories, or biomedical research environments.

Responsibilities

Design efficient total organic synthesis schemes for oxylipins, endocannabinoids, SPMs, stable analogs, and other endogenous lipid mediators.
Prepare, purify, isolate, and characterize compounds from synthesis or cell extracts using flash chromatography, HPLC, LCMS, MS/MS, UV-Vis, and NMR.
Lead high-priority research projects, develop new procedures and techniques, and advance scientific discoveries focused on novel research treatments.
Examine biochemical pathways, enzymatic transformations, biochemical stability, and compound properties to identify and evaluate endogenous mediator structures.
Apply enzymatic, biogenic, and enantioselective synthesis approaches, including stability testing and full spectral characterization.
Perform site-directed peptide and protein chemical modifications; design and screen neo-epitopes as antigens for monoclonal and polyclonal antibody development.
Support synthetic and analytical chemistry for complex lipo-particles, including lipoproteins, and conduct liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses using ion trap and triple quadrupole techniques.
Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and oversee laboratory instrumentation, equipment, inspections, infrastructure maintenance, evaluations, and routine maintenance activities.
Train laboratory personnel on instrumentation, laboratory techniques, and synthetic chemistry methodologies; provide on-site technical guidance to staff, fellows, post-doctoral researchers, technicians, and trainees.
Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebooks, research documentation, and data management for processed compounds and research projects.
Coordinate with junior staff to improve research protocols and develop safe handling procedures for laboratory chemicals and equipment.
Support laboratory resource planning, future allocation reviews, procurement quotes, and supply, chemical, and equipment purchasing activities.
Search scientific literature for relevant methods and techniques; analyze, interpret, and communicate findings through reports, presentations, manuscripts, meetings, conferences, and symposia.
Co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts and present project updates and research findings to laboratory members and leadership.
Attend meetings and conference calls, provide regular project status updates, and adhere to all safety, security, regulatory, and confidentiality 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