Senior Scientist

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a leading 501(c)(3) environmental health research and advocacy organization, is seeking a Senior Scientist to advance EWG’s Verified programs. Since 1993, EWG has worked to shine a spotlight on policies, practices, and industry behaviors that threaten public health and the environment. Through groundbreaking research, policy advocacy, and communications, we strive to empower the public and decision-makers with the facts to drive positive change. 

EWG’s Verified team analyzes a wide variety of data on personal care products, cleaning products, pet grooming products, diapers, and mattresses. Through this process, we catalyze the development of safer products, leveraging our scientific independence to challenge the status quo and set new standards for public health protection.

The Senior Scientist will evaluate consumer products to support EWG Verified certification and consultancy program needs for raw materials, formulations, and final products. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to working for the public interest, a strong technical background in toxicology or related field, outstanding interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to use the best available science to make informed decisions despite evolving or imperfect information.

Responsibilities:

• Lead in-depth toxicological hazard and risk evaluations for chemicals in EWG Verified products, utilizing GHS criteria, internationally recognized frameworks, read-across methodologies, predictive modeling and AI to address data gaps.
• Drive scientific rigor by facilitating cross-functional workgroups of toxicologists and chemists, ensuring data and decisions are seamlessly integrated into internal systems and public-facing databases.
• In collaboration with all EWG teams, propose and implement stringent public health-based standards and criteria.
• Anticipate emerging impacts and remain up-to-date on new toxicology and environmental health issues relevant to EWG project areas.     
• Research and advise on testing methodologies for products, ingredients and contaminants.
• Implement agile workflows that support organizational growth, ensuring that as the EWG Verified program demand increases or expands into new product categories, technical rigor and delivery timelines remain optimized.
• Develop and maintain consumer education resources about the health effects of chemicals in consumer products.
• Represent EWG in public and professional forums, including expert panels, scientific conferences, regulatory hearings, and media engagements.

Qualifications and experience:

• Master’s or PhD degree in Toxicology, Chemistry, Biology, Epidemiology, Environmental Health or a related Science field. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
• Minimum 5 years’ related professional work experience in toxicology, chemical risk assessment, environmental health, public health, green chemistry or related field.
• Knowledge of chemical regulations/regulatory toxicology-related compliance with global and national safety regulations. 
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects. 
• Ability to explain and present complex scientific and regulatory compliance issues and solutions to diverse audiences.

• The position requires ability to work in a fast-paced setting, efficiency with transitioning to new projects and commitment to the mission of the organization.
• May spend extended periods working at a computer.  

Location:  Washington, DC office.

Compensation: Annual salary range of  $80,000 – $148,000.  Salary is commensurate with experience.

Total Rewards
In addition to competitive pay, EWG employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes: 

• Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental and vision benefits.
• Generous paid annual leave plan.
• Generous paid sick leave.
• Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans.
• Flexibility to telework.

EWG’s commitment to diversity and inclusion:

EWG celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to foster a work environment that supports, inspires and respects all individuals. EWG does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, citizenship, ancestry, marital status, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, matriculation or political affiliation, or any other protected class recognized in any of the jurisdictions where EWG has offices or employees working. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, and compensation and promotion.