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Sr. Principal R&D Scientist

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Richmond, VA

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Aerosols, Analysis Skills, Analytical Chemistry, Biology, Biotech and Pharmaceutical, Calculators, Chemistry, Chromatography, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Copying Machines, Cross-Functional, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Data Quality, Data Visualization, Decision Support, Depth Perception, Documentation, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), Federal Laws and Regulations, GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Hazardous Materials/Substances, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Identify Issues, Instrumentation, Laboratory, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Systems, Leadership, Lift/Move 25 Pounds, Lift/Move 50 Pounds, Manufacturing, Metrics, Microbiology, Network Scalability, Office Equipment, Operational Audit, Operational Measurement, Operational Support, Operations Management, Operations Processes, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Printers, Process Improvement, Product Testing, Regulations, Reporting Dashboards, Research & Development (R&D), Risk, Service Delivery, Spectroscopy, State Laws and Regulations, Traceability, Workflow Analysis
LOCATION
Richmond, VA
POSTED
30+ days ago
Job tittle : Sr. Principal R&D Scientist
Job location :Richmond ,VA
Job duration :12 months on W2

Summary:
we are seeking a Transformation Lead Scientist to lead end-to-end laboratory and process transformation across Product Integrity, Analytical Sciences, R&D, and Manufacturing Quality laboratories within a highly regulated consumer products environment. This role supports laboratories focused on tobacco, nicotine, aerosol, and next-generation product testing, ensuring analytical and quality operations are efficient, compliant, and scalable. The successful candidate will assess current capabilities across multiple sites while working alongside business-as-usual (BAU) lab operations, driving measurable improvements in throughput, data quality, and regulatory readiness.

Job Responsibilities:
" Lead process transformation across Analytical Sciences production labs, Foundational Chemistry labs, R&D environments, and Manufacturing Quality Services labs
" Map current-state capabilities while operating in parallel with business-as-usual (BAU) activities
" Identify gaps, redundancies, and inefficiencies across laboratory operations and service delivery models
Multi-Site Workflow & Capability Assessment
" Evaluate workflows across multiple sites, teams, and laboratory functions
" Develop and implement skills matrices to assess workforce capabilities and identify proficiency gaps
" Align resources, roles, and processes to optimize efficiency and scalability across the network

Data-Driven Operational Excellence:
" Define and analyze key performance metrics, including samples processed per role, non-conformance/error rates, and time per sample
" Leverage data-driven insights to drive process optimization and continuous improvement
" Implement scalable solutions that enhance throughput, data quality, compliance, and overall operational performance

Metrics Infrastructure & Measurement Solutions:
" Design and implement systems and tools to capture, track, and report key laboratory performance metrics
" Establish standardized methods for data collection, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and traceability
" Enable real-time or near-real-time visibility into operational performance to support decision-making and continuous improvement

Nothing in this job description restricts management s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

Critical Skills:
" Strong scientific and technical foundation in analytical sciences, chemistry, microbiology, or related disciplines, with the ability to understand and troubleshoot complex laboratory workflows
" Proven experience in process transformation and operational excellence, including assessing workflows and implementing scalable improvements
" Strong data analytics capability with experience defining, tracking, and interpreting key performance metrics (e.g., throughput, error rates, cycle time)
" Experience developing or leveraging systems and tools (e.g., LIMS, ELN, dashboards) to capture, manage, and visualize operational data
" Effective leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate insights clearly
" Solid understanding of regulated laboratory environments (e.g., FDA, ISO, GLP/GMP) with a strong focus on quality, compliance, and documentation accuracy

Basic Qualifications:
" Bachelor s degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Analytical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline
" Minimum of 5 10 years of hands-on laboratory experience in a regulated environment (e.g., consumer products, pharmaceutical, or similar)
" An Associate's degree in a life science field plus 15+ years of laboratory experience

Preferred Qualifications:
" Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Chemistry, Analytical Sciences, Microbiology, or a related scientific field
" Experience in tobacco, nicotine, aerosol, or other regulated consumer product testing environments
" Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation (e.g., chromatography, spectroscopy, or automated lab systems)
" Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as FDA, ISO, GLP/GMP, and data integrity standards Experience with digital lab systems and tools (e.g., LIMS, ELN, data visualization platforms)
" Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional or multi-site initiatives, including process transformation or lab optimization

Working Environment:
" Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory.
" Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.
" Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time
" The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.
" Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
" Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.
" Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
" Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste.
" Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
" May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

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