Research Specialist Advanced, Senior

The mission of VIMS is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service.

VIMS’ Strategic Sections Are Committed To The Development Of Resilient Systems Through a Focus On Three Grand Challenges:

• Ensuring Science For Stewardship Of Ecosystem Health: connecting physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic systems to address environmental and community vulnerabilities.
• Natural Resources: providing translational science for sustainable management of coastal socio-ecological systems, especially fisheries and aquaculture.
• Coastal and Ocean Processes: connecting global trends and local drivers to understand and address environmental change.

The environmental chemistry unit focuses on synthetic contaminants in the environment, their sources, behavior, and impacts. An integrated perspective is applied, considering the movement of chemicals across multiple environmental compartments (water, air, soil, sediment, biota). Analytical techniques are utilized to extract, purify, identify, and quantify contaminants in complex matrices.

This position is responsible for designing procedures, acquiring, documenting, preparing, and analyzing samples for contaminants of concern. It may also involve experimental design and supervising others in these operations.

The Research Specialist Advanced, Senior plays a critical role in advancing environmental chemistry research by developing and applying analytical methodologies to assess contaminants in environmental matrices. This position is responsible for designing and conducting experiments, maintaining laboratory instrumentation, and ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis. The role requires extensive experience in separation techniques, mass spectrometry, and chromatography, as well as expertise in sample preparation, chemical extraction, and QA/QC procedures. Additionally, the incumbent will oversee fieldwork operations, collaborate with research teams, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to scientific publications and grant development. This position is integral to supporting the Ecosystem Health department’s mission by providing high-level research expertise in synthetic contaminant behavior and impact assessment in various environmental compartments.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position may require occasional evening or weekend work.
• This is a restricted position, subject to the continued availability of funding.
• Ability to work in outdoor environment, as applicable.
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs of field equipment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field, or an equivalent combination of college and related experience.
• Proficiency in extractions using liquid/liquid and enhanced solvent techniques.
• Experience with liquid chromatography (both low and high pressure), gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
• Ability to formulate standards with high precision.
• Knowledge of environmental behavior of organic contaminants.
• Experience in Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and QA/QC procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to maintain lab inventories, ensure proper instrument calibration, and work safely.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated competency in the areas listed above.
• Evidence of independent research through scientific reports, presentations, or published journal articles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in environmental chemistry or a closely related field.
• Experience with infrared spectroscopy for polymer/microplastic identification.
• Knowledge of legacy pollutants (PCBs, PAHs).
• Understanding of wastewater treatment processes.
• Familiarity with specific instruments in the lab and conducting analyses for PCBs and PAHs in various environmental matrices (fish tissues, sediments, water).
• Ability to supervise staff and collaborate with scientists.
• First-author scientific publications and presentations.
• Experience supervising staff and working in collaborative research environments.

Is the position remote work eligible? Not eligible.

Advertised Pay Range: Up to $50,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits Summary Statement: William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more.

Background Check Statement: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement: William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.