Analytical Chemist

Description

Leidos is seeking an Analytical Chemist to join our Research Support Services contract team in Pittsburgh, PA. This position supports the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), a U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) national laboratory (https://netl.doe.gov). This is an opportunity to conduct research with world-class scientists and engineers using state of the art equipment and contributing to new areas of applied research that drive innovation and deliver solutions for a clean and secure energy future. Leidos is looking for a highly driven analytical chemist to analyze samples for Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM)/ Rare Earth Elements (REE) at a leading institution for CMM/REE research.

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory is a multi-disciplinary, scientific and technical-oriented national laboratory. NETL produces technological solutions for America's energy challenges to support home-grown energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans. Highly skilled professionals at three NETL research sites - Albany, OR; Morgantown, WV; and Pittsburgh, PA - conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE's mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.

This position will support efforts within NETL's Geological and Environmental Systems directorate to analyze the elemental composition of CMM/REE samples. As part of this work, the researcher will support a small core team of researchers in the Pittsburgh Analytical Laboratory (PAL) using analytical chemistry characterization techniques such as inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS,) inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES,) ion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and pH titration. The successful candidate must expertly operate, troubleshoot, and maintain highly complex analytical instruments such as the ICP-MS, and develop expertise in others (ICP-OES, IC, TGA). The work requires significant judgment to interpret complex data, troubleshoot instrument performance, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve research challenges. The employee must balance competing priorities, such as sample backlog and urgent customer requirements, while maintaining stringent quality assurance and safety standards.

As an experienced researcher, the successful candidate is responsible for independently planning and carrying out the analyses, including operating and maintaining complex analytical instruments, developing new methods, and resolving most technical problems that arise. Completed work, such as analytical reports and method documentation, should be technically sound, accurate, and effective in meeting project objectives.

The researcher will be conducting research on-site at NETL in Pittsburgh, PA.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Expertly operate, troubleshoot, and maintain inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation
• Provide accurate and precise quantitative elemental composition of samples.
• Perform routine maintenance, instrument calibration, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Thoroughly document analytical methods, operating procedures, and troubleshooting steps.
• Disseminate analysis results through analytical reports and review the reports of other PAL staff.
• Collaborate with NETL researchers to develop analytical methods for a wide range of sample chemistries.
• Cross train to develop expertise on other analytical techniques (ICP-OES, IC, CHOS, TGA, etc.).
• Collaborate with the principal investigator (PI), other researchers, engineering and support staff to accomplish project-related tasks and address challenges.
• Maintain the quality and safety expectations commensurate with a world-class analytical laboratory.
• Effectively collaborate with the PAL team to plan and prioritize sample analyses based on impact, urgency, and customer requirements.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry or related field with 3+ years of applicable experience.
• Ability to meet the requirement for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.
• US Citizen.
• Proven experience through documented reports or publication with ICP-MS analysis and method development (especially with REEs and other energy-critical elements).
• Experience identifying and troubleshooting instrument performance issues.
• Demonstrated understanding and interpretation of ICP-MS data.
• Experience in reporting chemical analysis results and uncertainty to technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize a high volume of samples in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Independent researcher with experience managing multiple research project priorities in a laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated experience in method development and optimization using ICP-MS including validation and troubleshooting.
• Experience following and developing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes such as documentation of standard operating procedures and data quality analysis.
• Demonstrated track record of close collaboration with multiple researchers, internally or externally, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and serving as a technical resource within a research group.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for technical and general audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A PhD degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry
• Experience with a variety of techniques such as ICP-OES, TGA, or IC for quantitative analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in method development and optimization on other analytical instrumentation such as ICP-OES, mass spectrometry, or IC, including validation and troubleshooting.
• Experience in an ISO laboratory environment

Salary Range for this position: $100K to $105K

At Leidos, we don't want someone who "fits the mold"-we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, "what's next?" before the dust settles on "what's now."

If you're already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2... good. You'll fit right in.

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.