Staff Scientist II

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Overview

The Chemical Metabolism Core is seeking a highly motivated and experienced analytical chemist/mass spectrometrist to join our team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing, validating, and applying targeted and untargeted LC‑MS/MS methods (including stable isotope tracing, metabolomics, and lipidomics) to support internal and external research projects across diverse disease areas. This position is primarily hands‑on at the bench and on instruments, with substantial responsibility for method development, quantitative assay deployment, and day‑to‑day operation of multiple LC‑MS platforms in a shared core environment.

Skills & Responsibilities:

General Skills

• Lead development, validation, and documentation of quantitative LC‑MS/MS assays (calibration curve design, QC strategy, acceptance criteria, carryover evaluation, matrix effects, and stability assessments) suitable for multi‑user core deployment.
• Design and execute stable isotope tracer experiments (e.g., ¹³C‑glucose, ¹³C‑glutamine), including sample workup and downstream isotopologue data analysis (desired).
• Support both discovery‑oriented metabolomics/lipidomics projects and hypothesis‑driven, targeted quantitation studies for a broad user base (faculty labs, trainees, external collaborators).
• Coordinate sample intake, batching, and queue management, and communicate timelines, data quality issues, and results clearly to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Instrumentation and Technical Skills

• Hands‑on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting high‑resolution and/or triple quadrupole LC‑MS systems (e.g., QqQ, QTOF, Orbitrap) in a research or core facility setting.
• Strong LC skills: reversed‑phase and HILIC method development, gradient optimization, carryover mitigation, and column care.
• Routine performance of system suitability and QC monitoring (retention time stability, mass accuracy, sensitivity, and contamination checks) and implementation of preventative maintenance schedules.
• Experience with vendor‑specific MS software (e.g., Analyst, Sciex OS, Xcalibur, MassLynx, or similar) for acquisition, processing, and basic quantitation.
• Familiarity with common metabolomics/lipidomics processing tools (e.g., MS‑DIAL, El‑Maven, Skyline, XCMS, or similar) and downstream data handling in R, Python, or equivalent environments is highly desirable.

Data Analysis and Quality

• Demonstrated ability to process large LC‑MS datasets, perform peak integration and review, apply appropriate normalization/QC strategies, and export finalized results for statistical analysis.
• Working knowledge of basic statistics relevant to quantitative LC‑MS (e.g., LOD/LOQ concepts, CV thresholds, outlier identification, batch effect recognition).
• Ability to prepare clear reports and data summaries for users, including QC metrics, limitations, and recommendations for follow‑up experiments.

Core-Lab-Specific Behaviors

• Proven experience working in a service‑oriented or collaborative environment, balancing multiple projects and stakeholders while maintaining high data quality.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain MS concepts and limitations to non‑experts and to train new users on sample preparation and best practices.
• Strong organizational skills, including maintaining detailed electronic records of methods, runs, QC performance, and instrument interventions that support lab audits and reproducibility.
• Comfort enforcing core policies (sample submission requirements, QC failure criteria, cost‑recovery or recharge policies) in a professional, transparent manner.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Strong understanding of analytical principles and techniques.
2. Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills for documentation and reporting.
4. Strong team skills.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. A postgraduate degree (BS, Master’s or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field.
2. Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field, with at least 2-3 years of post‑degree, hands‑on LC‑MS experience in metabolomics, lipidomics, or related applications (industrial, core, or advanced academic setting).
3. Documented track record of deploying robust LC‑MS methods (e.g., method SOPs, validated assays in use by multiple labs, or contributions to multi‑center studies).
4. Proven experience advising on experimental design for MS‑based studies (sample size, replication, randomization, QC samples, and appropriate controls for tracer studies). Proven experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis, including stable isotope tracer analysis, metabolomics and lipdiomics.
5. Prior experience in a core facility or shared resource environment is strongly preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

1. User Training: Provide advanced training and guidance to users of the research core.
2. Experiment Support: Collaborate with researchers on experimental design, execution, data analysis, and troubleshooting within the research core.
3. Facility/Instrument Support: Manage and oversee research projects within the research core.
4. Technique Development: Lead the implementation and optimization of advanced techniques and methodologies and develop standard operating procedures for research core services.
5. Data Analysis/Interpretation: Analyze and interpret complex scientific data, generating meaningful insights and recommendations.
6. Equipment Procurement: Assist in the selection, acquisition, and maintenance of research core equipment.
7. Professional Development: Stay updated with emerging research trends and technologies. Participate in professional development activities and scientific conferences.
8. Scientific Participation: Contribute scientific data for manuscript preparation and grant proposals
9. Staff Training and Mentoring: Contribute to the training and mentoring of junior staff members.
10. Vendor Relations: Manage vendor relationships, negotiates contracts, and evaluates new technologies for optimal procurement processes.
11. Education and Outreach: Contribute to education and outreach activities within the core, including tours, events, etc.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience.

Job Posting Date 04/21/2026

Job Category Professional

Salary Range $68,000.00 - $120,500.00

Time Type Full time

Work Model On-site