Staff Chemist – Analytical Chemistry/Materials Science

MRIGlobal•Charlottesville, VA

6d•$84,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

MRIGlobal is seeking a Staff Chemist to join the Integrated Defense Solutions Business Unit in Charlottesville, Virginia. The position supports chemical forensics and analytical research using elemental analysis, chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The successful candidate will bring technical expertise and sound scientific judgment and work effectively in a collaborative laboratory team. The Staff Chemist supports and leads research and development laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with applicable federal program requirements, quality assurance practices, safety requirements, and standard operating procedures. The role requires an understanding of spectroscopy and chromatography theory, practical experience operating analytical instrumentation, and the ability to apply scientific judgment to solve complex problems and meet client expectations. U.S. citizenship is required, and candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. The position may involve preparing standards and samples, conducting analyses, operating and troubleshooting instrumentation, developing and validating analytical methods, preparing SOPs, reviewing data and reports, contributing to technical proposals and publications, and communicating testing updates and results to clients.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field; or an M.S. in Chemistry or a related field with at least 3 years of related experience; or a B.S. in Chemistry or a related field with 6–8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong organizational skills, problem-solving ability, and adaptability to changing priorities.
Ability to maintain complete, legible, and logically organized laboratory records and documentation.
PC skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, and Outlook, and ability to learn new software and systems.
U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain a Department of Defense clearance.
Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
Understanding of spectroscopy and chromatography theory, practical experience operating analytical instrumentation, and ability to apply scientific judgment to solve complex problems and meet client expectations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with advanced elemental analysis techniques and instrumentation such as ICP-OES and SEM-FIB or EDS.
Prior experience with GC-MS and LC-MS instrumentation, including high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry.
Experience maintaining laboratory compliance with applicable safety and security requirements.
Prior experience leading laboratory activities, technical projects, or scientific teams.
Experience reviewing laboratory records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable procedures.

Responsibilities

Direct or perform standard preparation, sample preparation, and sample analysis tasks.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation.
Develop and validate analytical methods.
Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Perform technical reviews of analytical data and reports.
Write or contribute to technical proposals, reports, and papers for publication, presenting clear results and concise, well-supported conclusions.
Communicate with clients to provide updates and summarize testing results.
Support and lead research and development laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with applicable federal program requirements, quality assurance practices, safety requirements, and SOPs.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and life insurance coverage.
Disability coverage.
Gym reimbursement.
Mental health support, including no-cost counseling.
Wellness resources, including virtual coaching and onsite health screenings.
Employer retirement matches and no-cost financial education benefits.
Paid parental leave.
Paid holidays and PTO.
Flexible culture that encourages work-life integration.
Tuition reimbursement option for higher education.
Charitable giving and volunteer opportunities, seasonal staff events, and DEI celebrations.