[Job] Office of Research and Standards - Toxicologist

September 1, 2023

Office of Research and Standards - Toxicologist EA IV 2023 Position, Boston

MassDEP's mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth's natural resources - air, water, and land - to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

MassDEP’s Office of Research and Standards (ORS) seeks applicants with training and experience in regulatory toxicology. ORS provides scientific leadership in the areas of toxicology, risk assessment and policy to all MassDEP programs.

This position is assigned to the Boston office located at 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA. Under the supervision of a senior toxicologist, duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Conducting structured literature searches to identify relevant published studies. 
  1. Identifying and obtaining toxicology data from published studies and other sources. 
  1. Reviewing and evaluating scientific reports, studies and data on the toxicology of targeted compounds based on familiarity with all, and demonstrated expertise in at least three, of the following methods:  PBPK modeling, benchmark dose assessments, parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis, read-across approaches, point of departure determinations, mixtures approaches, reference dose calculations and cancer dose response methods. 
  1. Drafting memoranda and reports and critiquing and summarizing toxicology studies, data and assessments. 
  1. Developing and/or maintaining data bases of toxicology information on PFAS and other targeted toxics.  
  1. Participating in and conducting meetings and /or conferences with agency staff, contractors, EPA, scientific advisory groups, advocacy groups, other stakeholders and the public and advising interested parties about toxicology. 
  1. Evaluating and providing recommendations on toxicology approaches including structure activity relationships, high throughput testing, mechanisms of action, benchmark dose modeling and PBPK modeling.
  1. Assisting in drafting guidance and regulations pertaining to the use of toxicological data. 
  1. Reviewing and recommending data collection methods. 
  1. Reviewing consulting service proposals and contracts and recommending changes to technical specifications. 
  1. Drafting communication materials on toxicology. 
  1. Conferring with federal, state and municipal agencies to inform and coordinate activities related to toxicology. 
  1. Drafting toxicology assessment reports in support of policy and regulatory development. 
  1. Reviewing and conducting statistical analyses and drafting spreadsheets and databases related to toxics. 
  2. Other duties as assigned.

 Preferred Qualifications at Hire:

  1. A graduate degree in the field of toxicology.
  2. At least 2 years of experience in regulatory or applied toxicology, with a focus on human health.
  3. Knowledge of, and experience in, applying toxicology to policy development and in setting health-based exposure guidelines and standards.
  4. Knowledge of, and experience in, conducting structured toxicology literature searches.
  5. Knowledge of the principles of classical toxicology, structure activity relationships, high throughput testing, mechanisms of action, benchmark dose modeling and PBPK modeling.
  6. Knowledge and experience in drafting toxicology reports.
  7. Risk communication experience.
  8. Knowledge of statistics and database management as applied to toxicology data.
  9. Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of toxicology data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
  10. Experience with personal computers and associated software.
  11. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  12. Strong scientific writing skills as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  13. Ability to adjust to changing situations and to meet emergency or changing program requirements.
  14. Ability to work independently.
  15. Ability to exercise sound judgment.

 

Apply here.