2024 PhD Graduate – Chemist - Applied Chemistry and Physics - Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Do you want a career as an independent researcher with opportunities for novel avenues of study?

Are you passionate about tackling tough problems to provide real-world impact and drive the future?

If you are graduating with a Ph.D. degree in chemistry and want to work on high-impact problems in applied chemistry, we’d love to have you join our team!

We are seeking talented individuals to contribute to tasks or projects that require a multi-disciplinary approach. At APL, you will join a hardworking and dedicated team of scientists and engineers to develop novel sensors and chemistry-based analytical tools for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community. We strive to foster an environment of innovation, inclusion, and idea-generation, so that diverse perspectives can provide new and exciting avenues to research. As a member of our team, you will work with physicists, engineers, chemists, and biologists to tackle our nation’s most important problems.

As a member of our team, you will….

• Synthesize and evaluate new small molecules in support of new and ongoing chemistry research projects related to defense and homeland protection.
• Evaluate emerging methods in synthetic chemistry, including continuous flow reactors and informatics-based approaches.
• Occasionally work alongside other chemists to scale up bench processes to 100 liters.
• Develop new methods for detecting threat related chemicals
• Use your background in the physical sciences to develop and propose innovative technical solutions to our Nation’s most important problems.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related technical field, with a strong academic record.
• Are highly skilled at research and are able to propose new ideas.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with other scientists and connect with the broader scientific community through publication, patents, and presentations.
• Are able to travel occasionally to attend meetings with our government partners and operational stakeholders.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimal requirements if you…

• Have any Postdoc experience

• Have broad synthetic experience including polymer chemistry and biochemical functionalization techniques.

• Are skilled with methods for chemical characterization, including spectroscopy and chromatography.

• Have experience working in the areas of national defense, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.