Analytical Chemist - Fire Service Institute

The Analytical Chemist supports the Illinois Fire Service Institute's (IFSI) research initiatives focused on improving the health and safety of first responders. This position is responsible for conducting analytical chemistry research, developing and validating analytical methods, and performing quantitative analyses of biological and environmental samples to assess occupational exposures.

Responsibilities include operating, maintaining, and optimizing analytical instrumentation, including chromatography and mass spectrometry systems;ensuring the accuracy and reliability of research data; and collaborating with interdisciplinary research teams to support IFSI's research objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimize,validate, and implement analytical methods for the detection and quantification of chemical compounds in biological matrices and other research samples.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analyses using chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques,including HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS, as appropriate to the research objectives.
• Prepare and process biological and other research samples using appropriate extraction, cleanup,and analytical procedures.
• Operate, maintain,troubleshoot, and optimize analytical instruments and associated software toensure reliable performance and high-quality analytical results.
• Process, analyze,interpret, and document analytical data, including implementation of appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, analytical protocols, laboratory documentation,and quality control records.
• Collaborate with investigators and research staff on experimental design, analytical strategies,data interpretation, and the integration of analytical findings into research outcomes.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, conference presentations, technical reports, and research summaries.
• Assist with the development of research proposals, identification of funding opportunities, and preparation of grant applications to support IFSI's analytical chemistry and first-responderhealth research programs.
• Support research activities involving human participants and biological specimens, including sample collection and processing, as needed and in accordance with approved protocols and applicable institutional requirements.
• Maintain laboratory operations, including inventory management, procurement of supplies, equipment coordination, and implementation of appropriate laboratory safety practices.
• Coordinate with instrument manufacturers,service engineers, and technical specialists regarding instrument maintenance,troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Participate in interdisciplinary research meetings and academic and community events as anIFSI representative.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry,Toxicology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience in analytical chemistry, particularly analytical method development,optimization, validation, and quantitative analysis.
• Hands-on experience withchromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques, such as LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, orICP-MS.
• Experience with sample preparation, instrument operation, analytical data processing, and interpretation of results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience analyzing biological matrices, including human serum, plasma, urine, or other biospecimens.
• Experience inbiomonitoring, toxicology, environmental chemistry, occupational exposure assessment, or related research areas.
• Experience developing and validating methods for trace-level chemical analysis.
• Familiarity withhuman-subjects research, biospecimen handling,…