Research Scientist

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Position Description:

Since its inception in 1996, VCU College of Engineering has brought innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia. Comprised of five different departments plus the Dean’s office, the College of Engineering enrolls more than 1,700 undergraduate and 250 graduate students in several degree programs supported by approximately 600 full time, part time, and student employees. As part of a premier research university known for tenacity, love of the city of Richmond, and commitment to diversity and access, the College of Engineering values the significant and positive impact of our people and ideas in the promotion of regional and global prosperity involving research and life sciences.

The VCU College of Engineering’s mission is to create and grow a diverse community of exceptional students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry partners that strive to create a common future for all where innovative, sustainable, and equitable solutions to global engineering challenges are realized for the benefit of this generation and future generations. Additional information about the department’s programs and faculty may be found at https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/chemical/

The department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering within the VCU College of Engineering is seeking a Research Scientist to perform lab management activities and facilitate the progression of current projects related to continuous API manufacturing. This position will be responsible for:

• Partnering with students (undergraduate and graduate) as well as faculty in the execution of existing research initiatives by supporting experimental design, implementation, and analysis.
• Aiding the identification, evaluation, and development (e.g. from brainstorming to proposal preparation) of new research horizons across the focus areas of the group.
• The position is highly encouraged to seek externally funded research, serving as the principal investigator, in collaboration with the faculty.
• Maintain leading edge knowledge of current methods and technologies related to continuous API manufacturing and multiphase reacting systems
• Conducting and documenting literature reviews of prior activities related to research objectives.
• Documenting research findings and communicating results to internal and external team members and collaborators
• Publishing research findings.
• Delivering results in a fast-paced time sensitive environment.
• Supervising and maintaining the day-to-day operation of the equipment and infrastructure 
• Developing standard operating procedures and safety protocols for various systems including maintaining trained user databases and electronic access through university systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a combination of education and experience.
• 6 months – 2 years of experience in managing lab personnel
• Experience with the maintenance, repair, and operation of equipment
• Demonstrated ability to publish research findings, preferably in high impact scientific journal
• Ability to work collaboratively with research teams to better assist them in accomplishing their goal
• Strong written/oral skills required, and ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience
• Experience in working with continuous multiphase reacting systems
• The College of Engineering at VCU champions diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Cultivating an ecosystem where differences are celebrated and our faculty, staff, and students have the opportunity to thrive is at the core of how we operate. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience that shows their commitment to fostering such an environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering 
• Experience in working with potent API materials – assessment of SDS and developing SOPs for handling highly potent materials
• Familiarity with government and international guidelines (ex. ICH) for pharmaceutical manufacturing 
• Experience in projects related to the continuous synthesis of drug substances 

Additional Information

This position is 100% grant funded and continuation of the position is subject to available funding.
ORP Eligible: Yes
FLSA Status: Exempt
University Job Slotting: Scientist RS (1-3)

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