Chemist Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Job Title:  Chemist Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Position Number:  CHEM S-002

Location:   Indian Head, MD

Worksite:   EXU-1, NSWC IHD, Indian Head, MD

Travel:  less than 20% CONUS and/or OCONUS

Status:  Full-time

Clearance:  DoD TOP SECRET w/SCI eligibility

Date Posted:  April 23, 2025

Job Summary:

R3 is seeking an individual to advise and assist the Expeditionary Exploitation Unit ONE (EXU-1) N2/Intelligence Department, Chemical Analysis Laboratory.   This position supports a diverse team and will perform duties involving coordination and facilitation of all CONUS/OCONUS operational requirements associated with the laboratory.  The chemist (SME) will assist the laboratory team/N2 with executing all aspects of the chemical analysis program (e.g. operations, maintenance, material management, RDT&E, training and certification, and safety). The SME will work with/by/and through the N2 laboratory team to implement the government's strategies to meet expected operational goals, analyze risks, and deploy solutions with respect to matters of significance within the areas identified below. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform quantitative chemical analysis of submitted materials to identify and quantify compounds present to include energetics and a variety of other potentially hazardous organic and inorganic compounds.
• Differentiate bulk and trace explosive signatures from contamination and background
• Evaluate samples to determine appropriate sample preparation techniques: solvent extraction/filtration, liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, solid phase microextraction (SPME), headspace extraction, sample purification
• Perform scientific analyses utilizing the following: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and other instrumentation or techniques, as available.  
• Provide training on and support subject matter exchanges (CONUS and OCONUS) to technical and non-technical personnel on chemical and physical analyses of energetics (and related compounds); explosive detection/chemical analysis equipment operation, capabilities, and troubleshooting; sample preparation techniques; instrument operation; and analysis of results.
• Implement data quality and reporting guidelines comparable to those established within the professional forensic community
• Perform instrument troubleshooting and maintenance
• Develop and validate analytical techniques to accommodate emerging chemical analysis requirements and draft laboratory standard operating procedures.
• Generate and classify technical reports based upon data collected through sample analysis
• Perform technical and administrative reviews of other analysts’ casework
• Develop and maintain relationships with DoD, Intelligence Community, and U.S. other governmental and civilian agencies who work in the field of technical exploitation
• Develop budget input for continuous laboratory operations
• Stays abreast of new and unique developments in the fields of analytical chemistry and applies them to the solution of critical, and sometimes obscure, problems; resulting in improved means for analysis and characterization of explosives.    
• Identify and track emerging trends to predict potential future threats and/or capability gaps
• Perform as EXU-1 representative during operations, exercises and meetings (e.g. planning conferences, etc.) as required.
• Other duties as assigned by the R3 Program Manager and/or specified in the contract Performance Work Statement (PWS)
• Perform duties effectively with minimal supervision

Qualifications:

• Ability to think critically and problem solve
• Ability to work independently and plan tasks without specific direction
• Capacity to work under pressure with stringent deadlines
• Able to work effectively with a diverse multidisciplinary team
• Able to communicate effectively: orally and in writing
• Capacity to prioritize tasking to ensure competing requirements are optimally met
• Comprehensive professional knowledge of the theories and practices associated with analytical chemistry, including the common instrumental and non-instrumental methods, necessary to perform chemical analysis on a wide variety of explosives related materials and products.   
• Knowledge of explosives chemistry/energetic materials to include: safe handling, preparation/synthesis, storage, and analysis of explosive compounds
• Knowledge of and experience independently operating analytical instruments
• Excellent experimental technique and a strong background in instrumentation and quantitative/qualitative analysis.
• Ability to communicate highly technical information to a non-technical audience
• Familiar with statistical analysis software and multivariate statistics
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows Office Productivity Products (i.e. Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, and other or similar applications)
• Possess strong presentation and facilitation skills, and excellent organization and attention to detail required 
• Ability to travel CONUS/OCONUS and possess a current U.S. Passport
• Must be able to lift -- up to 50 pounds -- to waist level and move materiel up to five feet

Education and Experience:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Forensic Science, or related Physical science; M.S. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or Forensics is preferred
• Experience working, or for, US Government forensic laboratory and/or performing forensic research 
• 5 years of experience working with energetics in a forensic or analytical laboratory is preferred
• Knowledge of, and experience working with, energetic compounds
• U.S. Citizen

 EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability