Botanical Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Job Category: Expert Volunteer

Requisition Number: EXPER003295

• Posted : February 11, 2026
• Full-Time

Showing 1 location

Vol US

• Reads and abides by USP’s Bylaws, rules, and policies, including CoE Rules and the USP Code of Ethics
• Participates in meetings (reads briefing materials, attends meetings, reviews minutes and notes, etc.) and notifies USP staff of conflicts of interest
• Approves USP standards through balloting and voting (USP–NF, Reference Standards)
• Commits to understanding of USP’s Mission
• Advocates for and represents USP and its future
• Handles confidential information properly
• Considers regulatory framework
• Challenges constructively
• Commits time and effort to participate in EC activities
• Disposes of any confidential materials at the conclusion of service

• Method development/method optimization/method validation
• Reference standard evaluation
• Pharmacognosy
• Chemometrics
• Chromatography: Liquid (H/UPLC), Gas, Planar (HPTLC)
• Analytical Spectroscopy: IR/Raman, NMR/qNMR, flame/plasma, Light Scattering, UV-Vis, NIR, XRF/XRD
• Titrimetry: Potentiometric including ISE, Karl Fischer
• Mass Spectrometry
• Quality by Design
• Multivariate/chemometric analysis
• Wet chemistry
• DNA analysis, PCR methods
• Nomenclature and labeling
• Plant taxonomy
• Microbiologic analysis
• Enzyme activity methods
• Biopolymer size and mass analysis (SEC-MALS)
• Contaminant analysis
• Detection of adulteration
• Evidence-based toxicology reviewing
• In silico toxicology tests
• Integrative medicine
• Regulatory risk assessment
• Surveillance/adverse effect monitoring
• Special nutrition ingredients including dietary proteins, amino acids, HMO, etc.
• Statistics background and experience with the design of experiments
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks/programs for food ingredients
• Experience with the testing of food ingredients for quality/authenticity

Focus Area: Development of quality standards for botanical dietary ingredients and supplements, and herbal medicine ingredients from the Americas, East Asia, South Asia, and possibly Africa. Adulteration and contamination of botanicals and phytochemicals. Types of ingredients may include plant parts, plant powders, plant extracts, fungi, algae and lichens; classes of compounds include a variety of natural product constituents, in particular cannabinoids, and complex macromolecules such as carbohydrates, procyanidins/condensed tannins. Contaminants analysis including methods and limits for aflatoxins, pesticide residues, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Dietary supplement dosage forms including tablets, capsules (hard-shell and soft gels), sachets, gummies, and their performance analysis such as dissolution and disintegration.

Key Issues/Goals: Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines: botanical identification; adulteration and contamination; sampling; fungal and algal ingredients; botanical monograph modernization; cannabis and cannabinoids.

• Must be able to contribute average of 3.5 hours per week with some variation
• Meetings: 1 to 2 face-to-face official meetings per fiscal year
• Teleconferences held as needed for official meetings and working sessions

Must be able to attend two (2) in-person collaborative meeting at USP Headquarters in Maryland, US, Brazil, China, or India per fiscal year; minimum of 3 in-person attendance per 5-year cycle

While USP operates primarily in English, our Expert Volunteers come from all over the world and speak multiple languages. While most LIVE business meetings are conducted in English, much of the work for the Expert Scientist includes reading, reviewing, and writing in Technical English. Proficiency in written English is required. Effective verbal communication may be facilitated by technology and written pre-read materials. Encourage application even if English is not the native spoken language but are proficient in reading and writing in Technical English. For more information on English Proficiency requirements,

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.