Regulatory Food Scientist IV

Responsibilities

• Support proactive surveillance and safety assessment of self-determined Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food ingredients in anticipation of a transition to a mandatory pre-market GRAS regulatory process.
• Support the development and implementation of reproducible methodologies for surveying publicly available information to identify substances claimed as self-GRAS, including trade press and public announcements.
• Contribute to a comprehensive database of self-GRAS substances, documenting market presence, supporting evidence, safety information, and relevant regulatory records.
• Prepare detailed surveillance methodology and findings reports suitable for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Evaluate and prioritize substances currently on the U.S. market for public health relevance, justifying prioritization decisions in formal reports.
• Conduct safety assessments of high-priority substances, synthesizing information from regulatory authorities (e.g., JECFA, EFSA, Health Canada), scientific literature, adverse event reports, and historical consumption data.
• Draft public health risk reports and safety assessments to support FDA risk communication and compliance efforts.
• Collaborate with FDA staff and other contractors to ensure sound judgment in prioritization and safety assessment decisions.
• Ensure all deliverables and electronic content meet Section 508 accessibility standards.

Job Family IT Project Management

Travel Required Up to 10%

Clearance Required Ability to Obtain Public Trust

• A PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Food Science, or a closely related field is required
• A Minimum of EIGHT (8) years of experience
• U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work for the FDA is required
• Extensive experience in food ingredient safety assessment, toxicological risk evaluation, and regulatory compliance (FDA, GRAS, food additives).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct literature reviews, analyze scientific data, and synthesize findings for publication.
• Experience with regulatory submissions, risk prioritization, and public health risk reporting.
• Strong project management and technical writing skills, with a track record of producing peer-reviewed publications.
• Proficiency in database development and management (e.g., SharePoint, Excel).
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

• Prior experience supporting FDA, USDA, or other regulatory agencies on GRAS or food additive safety projects.
• Familiarity with international food safety standards and regulatory authorities (JECFA, EFSA, Health Canada, FSANZ).
• Experience with social media listening and alternative data sources for safety surveillance.
• Knowledge of Section 508 compliance and electronic content accessibility standards.
• Experience presenting scientific findings to regulatory agencies and at professional conferences.
• Advanced skills in data analysis tools (e.g., Pub Med, Google Scholar, statistical software).
• Experience with the FDA’s Food Applications Regulatory Management (FARM) System and the FDA network resources.

Salary
:
The annual salary range for this position is $-$. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events &…