Environmental Lab Scientist

This Professional and Scientific position will be filled as either an Environmental Laboratory Specialist (PHB2-4A) or Environmental Laboratory Scientist (PHB4-6A) based on candidate qualifications of the successful candidate.

Please indicate in your cover letter the position you wish to be considered for, or indicate both.

The State Hygienic Laboratory is seeking an experienced chemist to fill the Environmental Lab Specialist, or Environmental Lab Scientist position for the Chemical Threat, Environmental Testing, and Food Testing Programs. This position will perform analysis samples for chemical threat agents and contaminants in a wide variety of matrices. This position will be responsible for sample preparation, sample analysis, data processing and reporting of results from a variety of forms, including clinical, environmental, and food matrices. This position will be responsible for operating and maintaining instruments, including LC-MS/MS, HPLC, GC-MS and associated equipment to ensure prompt analytical response and minimal turnaround times back to external partners and customers. Additional duties include method development and outreach/training to first responder organizations.

Location: Coralville, IA

Schedule:

• Normal working hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
• However, this position must be willing to be available to respond to emergency response analyses at potentially unconventional business hours or on the weekend in emergency situations.

Modality: In-Person, on-site.

For a full job description, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below.



University of Iowa offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits

About the State Hygienic Laboratory
The s main facilities are headquartered on the University of Iowa's Research Park campus northwest of Iowa City in Coralville. Additional testing facilities are part of the Iowa Laboratory Facilities in Ankeny, a Des Moines su burb.

Since 1904, the State Hygienic Laboratory has been at the forefront of public health issues in Iowa. As the state’s public health and environmental laboratory, the Hygienic Laboratory serves all of Iowa’s 99 counties through disease detection, environmental monitoring, and newborn and maternal screening.

 

Qualifications for Environmental Laboratory Scientist (PHB4-6A):
Education or Equivalency Required

• A Master’s degree in chemistry, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive direct experience (typically 5 years) in appropriate laboratory techniques is required, including extensive knowledge of analytical instrumentation and method development/validation.
• Considerable experience with specific instrumentation including LC-MS/MS and GC-MS.
• Demonstrates effective communication, using varied tools and techniques to transmit, receive, and interpret information, both written and verbally.
• Extensive proficiency with Windows based systems, computer and digital operations.
• Extensive critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and civil manner and utilize existing resources and learning to achieve or exceed desired outcomes of current and future organizational goals and needs.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, and the ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards.

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry with extensive knowledge of analytical instrumentation and method development/validation.
• Previous work in or understanding of CLIA accredited labs and regulations.
• Identification of unknown chemical samples.
• Clinical laboratory analysis - working with urine and blood borne pathogens.
• Method validation and/or method verification.
• Knowledge of- and work with forensic sample handling procedures.
• Demonstrates working knowledge and experience with Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS).
• Work with first responders and other emergency response organizations.
• Knowledge of CBRNe threats with an emphasis on Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism.
• Previous experience analyzing food for chemical contaminants.

Desirable Qualifications

• Previous training and work with potentially infectious materials and hazardous materials is desirable.

 

 

Qualifications for Environmental Laboratory Specialist (PHB2-4A):

Education or Equivalency Required

• Bachelor of Science in chemistry, analytical chemi stry, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications

• Relevant laboratory experience (typically 3 years) and knowledge of analytical chemistry.
• Intermediate to advanced experience with pipetting small volume and sample preparation.
• Experience with gas chromatography and/or liquid chromatography.
• Experience with mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrates effective communication, using varied tools and techniques to transmit, receive, and interpret information, both written and verbally.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and civil manner and utilize existing resources and learning to achieve or exceed desired outcomes of current and future organizational goals and needs.
• Extensive proficiency with Windows based systems, computer and digital operations.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, and the ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards.

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• A master's degree, or equivalent experience, in a related field is highly desired.
• Experience with mass spectrometry and the application toward quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Previous work in or understanding of CLIA accredited labs and regulations.
• Identification of unknown chemical samples.
• Clinical laboratory analysis - working with urine and blood borne pathogens.
• Method validation and/or method verification.
• Knowledge of- and work with forensic sample handling procedures.
• Demonstrates working knowledge and experience with Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS).
• Work with first responders and other emergency response organizations.
• Knowledge of CBRNe threats with an emphasis on Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism.
• Previous experience analyzing food for chemical contaminants.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check, credential/education verification and verification of a valid state or commercial driver’s license, and ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

 

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.