Emerging Threats Chemist

The Non-Kinetic Effects Business Area, part of the Defense Sector at Leidos, currently has an opening for an Emerging Threat Chemist at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) facility located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. This is an exciting opportunity to use your synthetic chemistry and toxicology experience to advance the DEVCOM CBC Threat Agent Sciences Mission across programs in environmental response, employment characterization, and chemical agent first-look applications.

• Support new and ongoing research programs within the First Look, Employment Characterization, and Environmental Response portfolios as a principal investigator, technical lead, or research team member to meet program goals and objectives.
• Routinely participate in agent operations as a primary or secondary operator. Activities may include chemical synthesis, instrumental analysis and testing, and controlled environmental-exposure experiments.
• Analyze samples from a range of matrices-including vapor, soil, water, and tissue-for target compounds and degradation products using analytical instrumentation and methods such as:
  • Thermal desorption
  • Pyrolysis
  • Gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (GC-FPD)
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
  • Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
  • Tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
• Prepare analytical standards from surety material to support instrument calibration and calibration-verification requirements.
• Determine and evaluate chemical physical properties, including vapor pressure, solubility, density, viscosity, surface tension, flash point, thermal stability, partition coefficient, and acid dissociation constant.
• Develop, revise, and maintain laboratory procedures, test plans, research documentation, and technical reports.
• Support laboratory management activities, including equipment and supply inventory, chemical tracking, waste-disposal coordination, and maintenance of laboratory procedures and records.
• Prepare monthly progress reports and maintain routine communication with program customers, stakeholders, and internal technical teams.

• BS degree with 5+ years experience in a chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental science, chemical engineering, toxicology, materials science, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience conducting laboratory research involving hazardous materials, chemical analysis, environmental fate, chemical properties, or related technical areas.
• Working knowledge of chromatographic and mass-spectrometric analytical techniques, particularly GC-MS, LC-MS, and LC-MS/MS.
• Experience preparing analytical standards, performing instrument calibration, and supporting quality-control or calibration-verification activities.
• Ability to develop laboratory procedures, test plans, technical reports, and progress updates.
• Demonstrated attention to laboratory safety, chemical inventory control, waste-management procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical findings to customers and program stakeholders.
• Candidate must be a U.S Citizen.
• Candidate must obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Clearance.
• Enrollment in and maintenance of DEVCOM CBC's Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) certification may be a required condition of this position.

• MS degree with 2+ years experience in aforementioned technical fields.
• Prior experience working across multiple program areas under one role.
• Previous experience with/enrollment in chemical safety and monitoring programs, such as DEVCOM CBC’s Personnel Reliability Program (PRP).

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October 22, 2026

Pay Range $73,450.00 - $

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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,…