Analytical Chemist

Analytical Chemist

Location: Silver Spring, MD

Work Model: Onsite

Hours: M-F normal business hours

Compensation: $40.00 - $50.00/hr

Type: 6+ month contract

Overview: Seeking an Analytical/Cosmetic Manufacturing Chemist with deep chemistry expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and botanicals as applied to the cosmetic industry. This role provides scientific support to efforts around cosmetic product registration, listing, ingredient safety assessment, adverse event analysis, and the development of tools, guidance, and policies that strengthen cosmetic product safety oversight. The SME will translate hands-on knowledge of cosmetic formulation, manufacturing, and analytical chemistry into actionable scientific interpretation of regulatory data.

Responsibilities:

• Apply chemistry expertise across development, scale-up, manufacturing, product formulation, and analytical specifications to interpret information available as it relates to cosmetic product safety data.
• Provide scientific input on GMP-related considerations affecting compliance and risk posture.
• Apply analytical and manufacturing chemistry knowledge to support compliance assignments and risk assessment of cosmetic products and ingredients, drawing on facility data, product listings, and adverse event information available.
• Support the development of tools that assess how chemical information submitted through Cosmetic Registration and Listing programs can be used to identify ingredients and finished products with greater precision and consistency.
• Provide recommendations to address challenges in cosmetic product listings, including incomplete or missing information such as product labels and ingredient details in adverse event reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve the chemical identifiability of products in regulatory data systems.
• Provide scientific input toward the development of guidance documents and policies related to Good Manufacturing Practices in the cosmetics industry.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline. Advanced degree (MS/PhD) strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in cosmetics or personal care product manufacturing, with demonstrated depth across analytical method development, formulation chemistry, and GMP environments.
• Working knowledge of FDA regulatory frameworks governing cosmetics manufacturing, including MoCRA requirements and applicable GMP guidance (e.g., ISO 22716 alignment).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret analytical chemistry data and manufacturing records to support compliance and risk assessment conclusions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical chemistry and manufacturing concepts for regulatory and policy audiences.

Preferred:

• Prior experience supporting FDA, CFSAN, or another federal regulatory body in a scientific advisory capacity.
• Experience with cosmetic facility inspections, GMP audits, or quality systems implementation in a cosmetics manufacturing setting.
• Familiarity with adverse event databases (e.g., CAERS) and product listing systems.
• Experience contributing to regulatory guidance, policy documents, or industry best-practice publications.
• Background in tool or data system development supporting chemical identification or regulatory science workflows.
• Preference is for candidates with 3–5 years of industry experience in areas such as: R&D, Product Safety, Food, Drug, or Cosmetics Manufacturing, Process Development, QA/QC, Regulatory Compliance

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joulé and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan. System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.