Junior Analytical Chemist - Wastewater Contaminants Specialist

Description

In this role, you will serve as a junior level chemist in the Chemistry Laboratory of the IDOH Chemistry Laboratories. Your primary responsibility will be to prepare and analyze samples for antibiotics in wastewater as part of a wastewater epidemiology project. This includes working with a variety of contaminants such as opioids, radionuclides, metals, and pesticides.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in chemical or physical science from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience as an analytical chemist.
  
  

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Perform complex chemical analyses on environmental, food, or clinical matrices to determine levels of contaminants or toxic substances using sophisticated instrumentation in compliance with EPA, FDA, or CLIA requirements.
• Adhere to Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Maintain proficiency and technical expertise through Proficiency Testing (PT) samples.
• Ensure assigned instrumentation is in working order; perform preventative maintenance and repairs on laboratory equipment.
• Complete all required paperwork, maintain instrument logbooks, prepare technical reports, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain a safe and uncluttered work area.
• Train and cross-train on other analytical procedures within the laboratory.
• Assist the supervisor by performing related tasks as assigned.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Technical knowledge of and ability to operate complex laboratory equipment such as LC/MS/MS, LC/QTOF, and GC/MS/MS; familiarity with Sciex equipment such as QTRAP 6500+ and X500QTOF is preferred.
• Effective communication skills with others both within and outside the laboratory.
• Broad knowledge of good laboratory practices (GLP) and good automated laboratory practices (GALP).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry with relevant experience in the last 2 years.
• Specialized knowledge in related scientific areas such as information systems, physics, and statistics.
• Practical knowledge of laboratory safety and biosafety.
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies relevant to specialty areas such as EPA, FDA, DEA, ISO 17025, and CLIA.
• Ability to design analytical techniques and develop new methods of analysis.
• Assist with epidemiological and/or statistical reports from data compiled on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

Not applicable.

Difficulty of Work

This position involves complex scientific analyses that demand accuracy and proficiency in laboratory analytical skills to solve various problems. Analyzing unusual sample matrices requires substantial analytical judgment and technical knowledge. The incumbent may also be required to testify in judicial proceedings as an expert witness for the State of Indiana.

Responsibility

The incumbent works under minimal supervision as a subject matter expert, with their work reviewed for general technical accuracy upon completion. This role significantly impacts the control and identification of opioids and other substances for public health surveillance.

Personal Work Relationships

You will collaborate with supervisors, other State Department of Health employees, and representatives from local and federal agencies to address analytical problems or interpret federal requirements.

Physical Effort

The role requires the ability to handle and prepare clinical specimens.

Working Conditions

The work environment is a laboratory that may present hazards such as compressed gases and flammable materials, as well as chemicals that may be poisons or carcinogens/teratogens. Safety precautions are always mandatory.

Employment Type: Contractor