Laboratory Scientist - Wildland Fire Chemicals

Job Title: Laboratory Scientist – Wildland Fire Chemicals

Location: Missoula, MT (100% Onsite)

Job Type: Full-time, Contract

Duration: 1-year Base (Starting November 2026) plus 4 Option Years

Job Summary

We are seeking a Laboratory Scientist for the Wildland Fire Chemical Systems Laboratory in Missoula, MT. Serving as a crucial evaluation hub since 1962, the WFCS Lab evaluates wildland fire chemicals (foams, gels, and retardants) for potential inclusion on the USDA Forest Service Qualified Product List (QPL). In this role, you will design chemical experiments and validate quality assurance testing protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Experiment Design & Execution: Design and execute complex scientific experiments evaluating the properties of wildland fire chemicals.
• Protocol Development: Develop, validate, and document new laboratory quality assurance (QA) and testing protocols.
• Data Analysis & Troubleshooting: Analyze and interpret experimental data, identify thresholds for test outcomes, and troubleshoot anomalous results.
• Scientific Reporting: Draft comprehensive scientific reports, study summaries, and recommend new laboratory instrumentation or methodologies.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or scientific discipline with a strong chemistry component and 5+ years of chemistry lab experience, OR 15+ years of laboratory experience (with at least 5 of those years in a chemistry laboratory setting).
• Technical Skills: High technical proficiency with standard chemistry laboratory equipment, analytical instruments, and SOPs. Familiarity with firefighting chemicals is a plus.
• Physical Demands: Must be capable of lifting 50 lbs and spending extended periods standing or walking in a lab environment.
• Security Clearance: Must pass a federal background check to obtain credentials (Linc Pass)