Staff Scientist II

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Overview

The Chemical Metabolism Core is seeking a highly motivated and experienced analytical chemist/mass spectrometrist to join our team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing, validating, and applying targeted and untargeted LC‑MS/MS methods (including stable isotope tracing, metabolomics, and lipidomics) to support internal and external research projects across diverse disease areas. This position is primarily hands‑on at the bench and on instruments, with substantial responsibility for method development, quantitative assay deployment, and day‑to‑day operation of multiple LC‑MS platforms in a shared core environment.

Skills & Responsibilities:

General Skills

• Lead development, validation, and documentation of quantitative LC‑MS/MS assays (calibration curve design, QC strategy, acceptance criteria, carryover evaluation, matrix effects, and stability assessments) suitable for multi‑user core deployment.

• Design and execute stable isotope tracer experiments (e.g., ¹³C‑glucose, ¹³C‑glutamine), including sample workup and downstream isotopologue data analysis (desired).

• Support both discovery‑oriented metabolomics/lipidomics projects and hypothesis‑driven, targeted quantitation studies for a broad user base (faculty labs, trainees, external collaborators).

• Coordinate sample intake, batching, and queue management, and communicate timelines, data quality issues, and results clearly to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Instrumentation and Technical Skills

• Hands‑on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting high‑resolution and/or triple quadrupole LC‑MS systems (e.g., QqQ, QTOF, Orbitrap) in a research or core facility setting.

• Strong LC skills: reversed‑phase and HILIC method development, gradient optimization, carryover mitigation, and column care.

• Routine performance of system suitability and QC monitoring (retention time stability, mass accuracy, sensitivity, and contamination checks) and implementation of preventative maintenance schedules.

• Experience with vendor‑specific MS software (e.g., Analyst, Sciex OS, Xcalibur, MassLynx, or similar) for acquisition, processing, and basic quantitation.

• Familiarity with common metabolomics/lipidomics processing tools (e.g., MS‑DIAL, El‑Maven, Skyline, XCMS, or similar) and downstream data handling in R, Python, or equivalent environments is highly desirable.

Data Analysis and Quality

• Demonstrated ability to process large LC‑MS datasets, perform peak integration and review, apply appropriate normalization/QC strategies, and export finalized results for statistical analysis.

• Working knowledge of basic statistics relevant to quantitative LC‑MS (e.g., LOD/LOQ concepts, CV thresholds, outlier identification, batch effect recognition).

• Ability to prepare clear reports and data summaries for users, including QC metrics, limitations, and recommendations for follow‑up experiments.

Core-Lab-Specific Behaviors

• Proven experience working in a service‑oriented or collaborative environment, balancing multiple projects and stakeholders while maintaining high data quality.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain MS concepts and limitations to non‑experts and to train new users on sample preparation and best practices.

• Strong organizational skills, including maintaining detailed electronic records of methods, runs, QC performance, and instrument interventions that support lab audits and reproducibility.

• Comfort enforcing core policies (sample submission requirements, QC failure criteria, cost‑recovery or recharge policies) in a professional, transparent manner.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Strong understanding of analytical principles and techniques.

2. Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills.

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills for documentation and reporting. 

4. Strong team skills.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. A postgraduate degree (BS, Master’s or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field.

2. Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field, with at least 2-3 years of post‑degree, hands‑on LC‑MS experience in metabolomics, lipidomics, or related applications (industrial, core, or advanced academic setting).

3. Documented track record of deploying robust LC‑MS methods (e.g., method SOPs, validated assays in use by multiple labs, or contributions to multi‑center studies).

4. Proven experience advising on experimental design for MS‑based studies (sample size, replication, randomization, QC samples, and appropriate controls for tracer studies). Proven experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis, including stable isotope tracer analysis, metabolomics and lipdiomics.

5. Prior experience in a core facility or shared resource environment is strongly preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience.

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Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

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