Job Details

Overview

Senior Scientist role at Smithers - Environmental Risk Sciences. The Senior Scientist designs, conducts, and interprets complex metabolism and environmental fate studies in compliance with regulatory guidelines (e.g., GLP, EPA, OECD). Serves as a subject matter expert in identification and characterization of transformation products across environmental matrices such as soil, water, sediment, and biota using LC-MS/MS. Provides strong scientific support to Environmental Fate and Metabolism Study Directors, communicates analytical results to clients, and contributes to client discussions and regulatory submissions. Assists with scientific leadership and mentoring of junior staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Study Directors contributing to study design, analytical strategies, and data interpretation.


• Develop and validate analytical methods for various environmental matrices.


• Design and execute advanced LC-MS/MS and HRMS experiments for qualitative and quantitative analysis of known and unknown metabolites.


• Interpret complex mass spectral data to identify unknown transformation products and environmental degradation pathways.


• Develop and optimize protocols for metabolite identification and profiling.


• Prepare or review study plans, protocols, and reports in compliance with GLP.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:
MS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience preferred, or BS with 8+ years of relevant experience preferred. Expertise in LC-MS/MS and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

• Proven experience in the structure elucidation of unknown metabolites using MS/MS data and fragmentation interpretation.


• Experience working with environmental samples and relevant preparation techniques.


• Familiarity with data processing software such as Xcalibur, Compound Discoverer, MetFrag, or similar.


• Demonstrated experience supporting regulatory or environmental fate studies and working with Study Directors.


• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences.


• Strong mentoring and leadership capabilities for training junior staff.


• Experience with radiolabeled compound handling and regulatory GLP environments.

Technical Skills

• Proven experience in the structure elucidation of unknown metabolites using MS/MS data and fragmentation interpretation.


• Experience working with environmental samples and relevant preparation techniques.


• Familiarity with data processing software such as Xcalibur, Compound Discoverer, MetFrag, or similar.


• Demonstrated experience supporting regulatory or environmental fate studies and working with Study Directors.


• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences.


• Strong mentoring and leadership capabilities for training junior staff.


• Experience with radiolabeled compound handling and regulatory GLP environments.

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Excellent data interpretation and problem-solving skills.


• Strong scientific writing and presentation abilities.


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.


• Skilled at managing multiple projects, timelines, and client expectations.


• Knowledge of environmental transformation processes such as hydrolysis, photolysis, and biodegradation.


• Understanding of regulatory frameworks (EPA, REACH, OECD) for metabolite identification.


• Experience working in a GLP environment is preferred but not required.