Analytical Chemist – NMR Spectroscopy
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures [BIPM] is an intergovernmental organization whose mandate is to provide the basis for a coherent system of measurements throughout the world, traceable to the International System of Units [SI]. The BIPM is based in Sèvres, on the outskirts of Paris (France), and has an international staff of about 70. Further information can be found at https://www.bipm.org/en/.
The BIPM seeks to recruit for the following appointment:
- Post: Chemist
- Deadline for applications: 31 August 2023 (23h59 Paris time)
- Envisaged starting date: February 2024
- Type of contract: Permanent full-time contract
- Location: Sèvres (a suburb of Paris), France
The Chemistry Department of the BIPM operates laboratories organizing international interlaboratory comparisons of laboratory capabilities for the value assignment of purity of small organic and peptide primary reference materials, as well as running capacity building and knowledge transfer laboratory programmes, and seeks an analytical chemist with NMR spectroscopy experience to join its team. The Department is equipped with a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer and a wide range of chromatographic techniques and thermal analysis instrumentation.
The Chemistry Department has a permanent staff of 11 and regularly hosts visiting scientists on secondment from other institutes.
Principal duties and responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of the Chemistry Department, the successful applicant will:
- Develop NMR and qNMR methods for the analysis of small organic and peptide samples for international comparisons or knowledge transfer activities.
- Provide day-to-day oversight for visiting scientists working on the BIPM NMR facility and oversee maintenance of the NMR instrument.
- Plan, review and apply orthogonal analytical methods for purity determination of organic compounds, notably: GC-FID, GC-MS, Karl Fischer, DVS, EA and TGA analysis.
- Develop analysis reports and papers based on the scientific work carried out within the department program.
- Assist in the coordination and delivery of international comparisons of organic primary reference materials and primary calibrators.
- Maintain the requirements of the BIPM ISO/IEC 17025-compliant quality system.
Required qualifications
Education
- PhD, or degree with relevant industrial experience in solution state NMR spectroscopy and analytical chemistry and applied to small organic molecule characterization.
Work experience
- At least five years’ practical experience in a laboratory working with NMR techniques for organic analysis including qNMR.
- Practical experience in the operation of orthogonal analytical methods for purity determination of organic compounds is desirable, notably: GC-FID, GC-MS, Karl Fischer, DVS, EA and TGA analysis.
- Some experience in current generation LC-MS/MS, LC-MS or LC-UV/DAD instruments and associated data analysis software for organic analysis would be viewed favourably.
Skills and competencies
- Knowledgeable in the operation of a high-field NMR spectrometer of the supporting software and NMR experimental design.
- Knowledgeable in the analysis of NMR spectra both for compound identification and quantification.
- Understanding of the fundamentals of organic chemistry and compound characterization.
- Uncertainty analysis; familiarity with Excel.
- Data presentation skills.
- Attention to detail, a focus on the elimination of errors and an interest in maintaining the associated quality system.
- Good oral and written communication skills in English; a working knowledge of French is desirable.
- Autonomous, self-motivated, and able to work in a small team.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to maintain effective working relationships inside and outside the organization.
Terms of Employment & Benefits
The BIPM offers for this position a full-time appointment with an initial probationary period of 6 months which may be renewable once. The annual gross salary on appointment will be competitive and will depend on qualifications and experience. It is expected that the annual gross salary offered, which is not subject to income tax in France, will be between €56.093 and €63.102.
Benefits include a minimum of thirty working days’ vacation per year. The BIPM provides a contributory pension scheme and private health insurance for staff members, which can be extended to cover dependents. In addition, various allowances are applicable, including to an expatriate, depending on family circumstances.
More information on the Benefits & General Conditions of Employment at the BIPM
Applications
The BIPM encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender.
A curriculum vitae (CV) and a covering letter (in English) should be sent by 31 August 2023 (23h59, Paris time) to:
Applications should include the names of two persons who can comment on the applicant's suitability for the post (who will only be contacted with the prior permission of the candidate). Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. They may be invited to take part in a distance written test and/or in a remote interview as part of the selection process, scheduled to start in September 2023. Thereafter, successful candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview. The selection process may be modified according to the evolution of the current health crisis and the corresponding containment measures.
The BIPM retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a different grade, to make an appointment with a modified job description, or to offer a contract term for a shorter duration than the one indicated in this vacancy announcement.