Junior Chemist

Overview Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best. We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues. JOID assists the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in developing leading edge technologies to counter WMD in support of CCMDs and transitioning these technologies to military services and COCOMs. SPA provides expertise across the full range of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) WMD, Counter Improvised Threat and Countering Threat Network technologies to support understanding, detection, identification, characterization, denial, control, disabling, defeating, disposing, safeguarding the force, managing consequences, and test and evaluation in support of military and civilian operations. Systems Planning and Analysis has a near-term need for a Chemist to provide onsite support in Lorton, VA. Responsibilities Apply a general level understanding of Chemistry in support of furthering the Client's Science & Technology (S&T) objectives across the chemical threat spectrum (traditional, non-traditional, emerging and Pharmaceutical Based Agents) providing R&D analysis to the Joint Science and Technology Office Chemical & Biological Technologies Department Advanced & Emerging Threats Division (RD-CBS) as part of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. Act as a DoD Chemistry SME on our team, applying chemistry expertise to advise and assist our Department of Defense client to reduce operational impact to the warfighter from chemical threats around the world. Provide in-depth scientific analyses and technology assessments across the chemical threat spectrum. Assist the Clients with managing a diverse and robust Science and Technology portfolio while applying Subject Matter Expertise in Advanced and Emerging Chemical Threats. Provide cross-functional expertise in applying basic and advanced scientific principles, with a focus on chemical weapons including Organophosphate (OP) agents including Fourth Generation Agents (FGAs), Pharmaceutical Based Agents (PBAs), bioregulators, and other emerging technologies that may impact the threat space. Apply technical or industry knowledge of computational chemistry; electronic structure calculations including Molecular Dynamics, Density Functional Theory, Cheminformatics on advanced and complex projects. Evaluate all project aspects, including design, development, execution, and implementation of threat agent science research and development and provide technical evaluations and recommendations. Understand and assess capability gaps and assist in setting project and product-level strategy and priorities, ensuring portfolios are responsive and mapped to program goals. Liaise with industry, start-ups, Government, and academia performers (includes working knowledge of university-affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs ; utilize scientific knowledge to evaluate and analyze novel technologies, research proposals, published and unpublished research, and data to ensure accurate and reliable information and provides recommendations to the government. Qualifications Required: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry (Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry) or closely-related field 2-5 years of experience in U.S. Government/national security, public or private scientific research organization consulting, project or contract management related to evaluation of chemical hazards and/or drug development, pre-clinical or clinical research Knowledge of technical proposals and reports, experimental or theoretical techniques, scientific studies and statements of work to ensure technical validity Familiarity with scientific principles involved in basic and applied research Excellent communication skills Secret clearance with ability to get TS/SCI Desired: Master's degree in chemistry or a related field TS/SCI CBDP experience (research, policy, project management) and DoD acquisition policy knowledge Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamics familiarity Experience in preparing senior-level briefings, reports, and responses Experience providing subject matter expertise to DoD clients Specialization in organic chemistry, toxicology, or micro-physiological systems Prior DoD experience Options