You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Rapid Drug Analysis Research -4111

NIST Professional Research Experience Program (PREP)

Project: Research to Support Illicit Drug Detection and the Rapid Drug Analysis and Research (RaDAR) Program PREP0004111

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) has significant research efforts in the fields of forensic science and public health, specifically relating to drug chemistry. A number of these ongoing efforts focus specifically on addressing measurement challenges related to the detection, classification, and identification of new and emerging substances and on strengthening the measurement science of the field as a whole. This position will assist in addressing research and routine analysis needs under the Rapid Drug Analysis and Research (RaDAR) program. The RaDAR program provides rapid turnaround testing to partner agencies across the country, utilizing analysis of trace drug residue samples by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and other mass spectrometry techniques.

In collaboration with NIST staff and other external partners, the awardee will work to establish new qualitative and quantitative analysis protocols for next-generation rapid drug analysis, assist in the routine analysis of samples submitted to the RaDAR program, and participate in proof-of-concept studies to investigate real-time drug detection capabilities in a mobile laboratory environment. The awardee will be expected to be able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) to analyze drug residue samples submitted by public health and law enforcement agencies.
Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid handling robotics, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to develop new analytical methods for the rapid analysis of drug samples.
Conducting studies using the above listed techniques in a mobile laboratory environment in coordination with collaborating public health and law enforcement entities.
Assisting with compiling, extracting, and analyzing data obtained from the analysis of drug samples.

Qualifications

A master’s degree in analytical chemistry or related field.
Experience working with and maintaining mass spectrometry systems, specifically GC-MS, and/or LC-MS/MS.
Familiarity with the fundamentals of DART-MS and ambient ionization mass spectrometry.
Experience analyzing and interpreting mass spectral data.
Coding skills, particularly using the R programming language, are desired but not required.
Strong organization skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.