Staff Chemist – Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM)

About the role

MRIGlobal is an independent scientific research organization established in 1944, headquartered in Kansas City, MO, with operations in several states including Virginia and Maryland. This position is within the Integrated Defense Solutions Business Unit in Charlottesville, VA.

The Staff Chemist supports chemical forensics and analytical research using elemental analysis, chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The role requires strong technical expertise, sound scientific judgment, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative laboratory team. The successful candidate will support and lead research and development laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with applicable federal program requirements, quality assurance practices, safety requirements, and standard operating procedures. A strong 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 are essential. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to meet government security investigation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Direct or perform standard preparation, sample preparation, and sample analysis tasks
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a variety of 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 or presenting clear results and concise, well supported conclusions
• Communicate with Clients to provide updates and summarize testing results

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field; OR M.S. in Chemistry or a related field with a minimum 3 years of related experience; OR 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 documentation
• PC skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, and Outlook) and ability to learn new software and systems
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a Department of Defense Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM)
• 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

Pay

Salary range: $84,000 – $90,000. The salary range is intended as a general guideline and is not a guaranteed offer, as compensation depends on various factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate qualifications, experience, internal equity, and market conditions.

Benefits

MRIGlobal provides a comprehensive benefits package including health and life insurance, disability coverage, gym reimbursement, mental health support, paid holidays, and PTO. The organization has received multiple wellness recognitions, including being named “Healthiest Employer” by Kansas City’s Business Journal in 2024.

• Well-being: comprehensive coverage for you and your family, resources supporting mental, physical, social, and financial well-being; wellness benefits like virtual coaching, no-cost counseling, onsite health screenings, gym reimbursement
• Retirement: award-winning employer retirement matches and no-cost financial education benefits
• Paid Parental