Scientist, Smoke

Job Description Summary:

The Scientist, Smoke performs cigarette smoke generation, sample collection, and analytical support activities within a regulated laboratory environment. As part of an End-to-End (E2E) Laboratory Modernization Program, this role supports product characterization, regulatory studies, and scientific investigations involving combustible tobacco products.

The Scientist is responsible for operating and maintaining smoking systems and associated collection equipment used to support analyses of total particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, carbonyl compounds, ammonia, and other smoke constituents. The role collaborates closely with analytical scientists and quality personnel to ensure reliable and compliant execution of laboratory testing programs. The level of responsibility, autonomy, and technical complexity will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Job Responsibilities

• Operate, calibrate, and maintain smoking machines and associated collection equipment used to generate and collect mainstream cigarette smoke under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Execute smoking process instructions and support regulatory and product characterization studies involving combustible tobacco products.
• Assemble impinger systems and collection apparatus used for the determination of carbonyl compounds, ammonia, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other smoke constituents.
• Perform smoke sample preparation activities and support analyses used to quantify total particulate matter and carbon monoxide.
• Verify equipment performance and ensure testing activities are conducted in accordance with established procedures and quality requirements.
• Review analytical data and laboratory records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and collection systems and participate in investigations involving atypical results and equipment issues.
• Support method validation, technology transfer, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists and quality personnel to ensure efficient execution of testing programs.
• Maintain training and compliance in health, safety, environmental, and operational requirements.

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

Critical Skills:

• Knowledge of smoking machine operation and calibration principles.
• Understanding of smoke generation, sample collection, and aerosol capture methodologies.
• Familiarity with techniques supporting the determination of total particulate matter, carbon monoxide, VOCs, carbonyl compounds, and ammonia.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent documentation and data review skills.
• Understanding of laboratory quality systems and ISO 17025 requirements.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related scientific discipline.
• OR Associate degree or high school diploma with 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Relevant smoke collection or analytical laboratory experience commensurate with level (entry-level candidates through experienced scientists will be considered).
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a regulated laboratory environment.
• Adaptable, self-motivated, and capable of performing in a production-paced analytical laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience operating smoking machines and aerosol collection systems.
• Familiarity with tobacco smoke chemistry and regulatory testing methodologies.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques and associated analytical instrumentation.
• Experience working within ISO 17025, GLP, or GMP environments.
• Knowledge of tobacco and nicotine product testing requirements.
• Experience supporting method validation and technology transfer activities.

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.