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Synthetic Organic Chemist

Employer
General Dynamics Information Technology
Location
Silver Spring, MD
Closing date
Sep 21, 2019

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Industry
Science
Function
Accountant, IT
Hours
Full Time
Career Level
Experienced (Non-Manager)
GDIT is seeking a Synthetic Organic Chemist to support the mission of the Experimental Therapeutics (ET) Branch of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). The mission of the WRAIR Branch of Experimental Therapeutics is to discover and develop new pharmaceutical agents to protect military members from death, disease, and injury. The Branch is the nations primary developer of new drugs to prevent and/or treat malaria and leishmaniasis. Collectively, ET engages in drug discovery, drug efficacy and mechanism evaluation, and formal preclinical and clinical development. This position supports the Synthetic Chemistry section within the Department of Drug Development. Specific responsiiblities include:Synthesize compounds of interest in support of a lead optimization program as directed by the lead chemist.Develop and optimize synthetic methods to synthesize compounds.Purify the products of multiple-step syntheses on milligram to gram reaction scales.Characterize the products of chemical reactions using appropriate instrumentation including, but not limited to, NMR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis.The contractor shall prepare compounds of interest for shipment to biology test systems in support of the lead optimization team.Submit compounds to the LIMS.Meet on a bi-weekly basis with key administrative and technical staff to receive performance tasks, report progress, and troubleshoot technical issues.Preparemonthly status reports as well as detailed reports on the procedures, protocols, and experimental data in a suitable format for publication in relevant scientific journals and/or patent disclosure if applicable.Maintain laboratory chemical inventory according to established WRAIR procedures and maintain a safe, well-stocked and clean laboratory in accordance with WRAIR technical and safety protocols.Prepare purchase orders as needed to support synthesis of new chemical entities and to maintain laboratory inventory.Support any laboratory activities, to include general upkeep as well as chemical storage and movement and equipment usage and maintenance.Report all maintenance issues of both the laboratory and medical equipment to the proper WRAIR facilities or medical maintenance personnel according to WRAIR protocols.Train and mentor new laboratory chemists supporting this task, in accordance with all WRAIR laboratory procedures and protocols. Assist with in-processing and orientation of new laboratory chemists supporting this task.Assist the project teams as needed with all aspects of the synthesis, purification and characterization of compounds and execute administrative tasks in support of the efforts detailed in this task.Ensure that the appropriate PPE is utilized, and be aware of and observe appropriate safety and occupational health rules and regulations and procedures developed by WRAIR staff. Attend all training, including but not limited to safety training relative to this task and report any infractions of safety procedures to the facility Safety Officer.Provide proper software to draw chemical structures compatible with the LIMS database, scientific journals, SciFinder, and communication with academic labs and industry.Obtain access to and/or subscription to a web-based search engine to achieve the following objectives:Assist the project team and chemists as needed with all aspects of the up-to-date information and literature on clinical, medicinal, synthesis, purification, properties, and characterization of new drugs.Allow chemists the use of current standards in pharmaceutical, academic, commercial, and government chemical search engine.Allow project team to have unrestricted flexible search and discover options based on users needs to search for substances, reactions, patents, and journal references BS or higher in Chemistry or related field 5+ years experienceThree years of experience working as a synthetic organic chemist. Experience working for a government agency, preferably DoD or pharmaceutical industry.Thorough working knowledge of organic chemistry on paper and in the laboratory. Understanding of chromatography, inert-handling techniques, and distillation techniques, and use of appropriate analytical instruments to characterize compounds such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectrometry (IR), mass spectrometry (MS), and elemental analysis for compound characterization.Able to perform purification and characterization of multiple-step syntheses on milligram to gram reaction scales, chromatography and distillation techniques, conventional and microwave reaction techniques, the handling of air and moisture sensitive compounds, and the manipulation of gaseous reagents.Able to use Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and should be familiar with ChemDraw or some other suitable chemical notation program.Able to communicate clearly and effectively, whether orally or in writing.Write clear experimental procedures for publication; manage an organized laboratory notebook and familiar with laboratory safety.For more than 50 years, General Dynamics Information Technology has served as a trusted provider of information technology, systems engineering, training and professional services to customers across federal, state, and local governments, and in the commercial sector. Over 40,000 GDIT professionals deliver enterprise solutions, manage mission-critical IT programs and provide mission support services worldwide. GDIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.

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