Scientist in Wastewater Surveillance and UPLC-MS/MS Analysis

Hiring Department

School of Natural Resources

Job Description

The Scientist position is essential to meeting contractual,
analytical, and reporting obligations across all three funded
initiatives. To our knowledge, MU is currently one of the largest
and most comprehensive COVID-19, other pathogens (including
influenza, RSV, measles, monkeypox) and school-based opioid
wastewater surveillance programs in the United States, and likely
globally. In collaboration with MODHSS, InkFish LLC, and industry
partners, we are processing wastewater samples from more than 200
facilities/schools per week across Missouri and other major U.S.
cities. Results and methodological advances are routinely shared
with health professionals, policymakers, scientists, industry
partners, and the general public.

Key Responsibilities:

• Designs, performs, validates, and optimizes targeted UPLC-MS/MS

analyses for environmental and public-health surveillance programs,
ensuring analytical accuracy, quality control, regulatory
compliance, and defensible reporting of wastewater biomarkers.

• Conducts metabolomic and bioanalytical investigations;

evaluates complex environmental data; interprets findings;
identifies trends; and recommends analytical approaches that
support research objectives and population-health monitoring.

• Collaborates with principal investigators, public-health

agencies, informatics teams, and industry partners to integrate
laboratory findings with surveillance objectives, communicate
technical results, and support project deliverables.

• Maintains laboratory quality systems; contributes to method

development and validation activities; trains and mentors students
or staff as needed; participates in scientific reporting,
presentations, publications, and other related duties.

Shift

Monday - Friday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area and at least 3 years
of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be
acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry,

Bioanalytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related
field.

• 3–4 years of experience in targeted UPLC-MS/MS method

development, validation, and quantitative analysis in complex
biological or environmental matrices.

• Demonstrated expertise in metabolomics workflows, including

sample preparation, instrument optimization, data processing, and
multivariate statistical interpretation.

• Hands-on experience with modeling, programming and software

including mathematical modeling, process simulation, and molecular
modeling.

• Experience operating and troubleshooting high-resolution or

triple quadrupole mass spectrometry platforms under GLP or
equivalent quality systems.

• Proficiency in bioinformatics and data analytics, including

management of large datasets, statistical modeling, normalization
strategies, and population-level interpretation.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate analytical chemistry outputs

with demographic, epidemiologic, or community-level datasets to
generate actionable public-health insights.

• Experience interpreting and applying multiple technical

frameworks simultaneously, including:

• Validated laboratory methods and instrument performance

criteria

• Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols
• Data governance and privacy policies
• Sponsor-specific reporting requirements and regulatory

guidelines

• Strong understanding of analytical validation parameters (LLOQ,

linearity, precision, accuracy, ion ratio tolerance, matrix
effects, etc.) and documentation practices.

• Experience preparing technical reports, sponsor deliverables,

and regulatory-compliant documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly varied and abstract

environment, reconciling analytical performance, data integrity,
demographic context, and program objectives to produce accurate,
defensible, and actionable outputs.

• Ability to maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and

external regulatory requirements while supporting translational and
scalable analytical platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary

team environment, with strong interpersonal, communication, and
collaboration skills.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $53,976 - $85,000 per year

Grade: GGS 10

University Title: Scientist

Internal applicants can determine their university title by
accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

MU application, CV/Resume

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this
position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your
total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits
package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,
paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental
leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all
four UM System campuses. For additional information on University
benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of
Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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