Principal Scientist (Ph.D.)

About Exponent

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.

Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!

Key statistics:

• 950+ Consultants
• 640+ Ph.D.s
• 90+ Disciplines
• 30+ Offices globally

Our Opportunity

We are currently seeking an accomplished leader for a Principal Scientist (Toxicology) position in our Health Sciences Practice in our Washington, DC office. In this role, you will work as part of a team to provide a high level of leadership and collaboration on projects related to litigation support, toxicological evaluations, risk assessment, and risk communication involving a wide range of products and chemicals. This includes evaluating health hazards, mechanisms of action, dose response, exposure levels, and conducting comparative risk research, utilizing data science tools, assisting with regulatory documents and analyses, and conducting risk assessments under a variety of regulatory and legal paradigms. As a Principal at Exponent, you will lead projects, identify new clients, expand relationships with existing clients, develop technical staff, and develop new business in related Health Sciences areas, particularly in the areas of product stewardship, product sustainability, toxic tort, PFAS, and emerging chemicals of concern. You will be instrumental in helping our clients make and support data-driven and scientifically sound decisions to address today's most pressing issues impacting human health safety and regulatory compliance.

You will be responsible for

• Leveraging deep knowledge in toxicology to address a wide range of complex human health challenges across diverse client sectors, delivering scientifically rigorous and impactful solutions
• Identifying, pursuing, and securing new client engagements by understanding emerging needs and building long-term partnerships
• Maintaining and growing trusted relationships with existing clients by consistently delivering high-quality work, anticipating future needs, and serving as a strategic advisor
• Building, managing, and empowering multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and scientific integrity
• Providing guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to technical staff, supporting their growth into future leaders and experts
• Ensuring successful project execution through effective planning, resource allocation, and budget management, while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness
• Providing strategic toxicology, product stewardship, product sustainability, and regulatory expertise related to chemicals, materials, and emerging regulatory issues, including PFAS
• Offer high-level scientific and strategic advice to both internal stakeholders and external clients, contributing to the firm’s thought leadership and client impact
• Enhance the firm’s visibility and credibility by publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at industry conferences, leading seminars, and participating in expert advisory or technical committees

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• PhD in Toxicology or a related scientific field
• Minimum of 10 years of consulting or leadership experience in the toxicology space
• Proven track record of business generation and attracting new and repeat clients or funding
• Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT)
• Experience supporting product stewardship, chemical management, regulatory strategy, sustainability initiatives, or related programs involving PFAS and other emerging chemicals of concern
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations in your scientific field
• Outstanding reputation among clients and the scientific community for integrity, responsiveness, and technical expertise
• Adept people management abilities coupled with extensive experience in successfully overseeing and executing complex projects
• Strong commitment to professional development

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page].

Life @ Exponent

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponenthttps://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

We value and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion across all facets of our firm. Having a team built of people with different backgrounds, skills and perspectives allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits, as well as compensation and recognition programs, empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference.

Work Environment

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for​ building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients.

Compensation

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is depending on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.

Salary Range USD $200,000.00 - USD $300,000.00 /Yr. Benefits you will enjoy

Access benefits information on our Life @ Exponent page:https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent

Exponent is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at HR-Accommodations@exponent.com.

Job Locations US-Washington, DC