Associate Scientist 1

About the role

The Associate Scientist 1 shall perform, at a minimum, the following tasks and responsibilities in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Responsibilities

• Handling, receipt, and processing of daily operational, Quality Assurance, verification and proficiency test samples potentially containing biological threat agents.
• Receiving samples may require extended walking to/from laboratory areas and up and/or down several flights of stairs.
• Samples may require being transferred from one area/cart/cooler to another, requiring staff to lift ~50-60 lbs.
• Processing samples requires more than one (1) hour, but typically not to exceed four (4) hours, of repetitive motion (e.g. twisting/cutting/pipetting/gripping) on a regular, if not daily, basis.
• Performing non-research biological science work utilizing microbiological and molecular techniques, which currently includes DNA extraction and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) to identify and characterize pathogenic bacterial and viral agents (analytical methods and technologies may change over the life of the contract).
• Laboratory workflow may occur in different laboratory areas (e.g., clean, high and low titer, under different conditions, such as BSL-2/BSL-3), utilizing a variety of biological safety cabinets (BSCs), and/or hoods (e.g., laminar or dead air).
• Lab work may require several PPE changes including, but not limited to, respiratory and full body protection (e.g., Tyvek suit) and gloves, for extended periods of time, not to exceed four (4) hours.
• Preparation of reagents and samples - same as above.
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
• Decontamination of workspaces, including Biological safety cabinets, hoods/air boxes, equipment, and other items associated with processing and analysis activities.
• Necessitates decontamination of several rooms requiring extensive use of bleach and alcohol.
• Maintaining chain-of-custody (CoC).
• Interpretation of results - must be capable of independent analysis.
• Data entry utilizing computerized or computer-linked systems.
• Performing routine equipment calibration, cleaning, assembly, and maintenance in multiple lab areas.
• Collecting, processing, and analyzing internal laboratory swipes/swabs for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and contamination monitoring located across multiple lab areas.
• Proper disposal of bio-hazardous waste. May require lifting, stooping, reaching, carrying, and/or storing biohazard waste of different sizes and/or weights up to 40 lbs.
• Supporting customer logistics in conducting and documenting annual inventory (e.g., serial numbers, disposition, PO’s, packing slips, etc.) of DHS-procured durable equipment and property.
• May require lifting, stooping, reaching, carrying, and/or transporting equipment and/or instruments to/from different laboratory areas and/or packaging instruments for service QA/QC and acceptance testing of reagents in accordance with applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Laboratory Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP).
• Maintaining documentation of records demonstrating compliance with applicable training/retraining, competencies, document reviews.
• Analyzing routine external QA samples in accordance with the customer SOP’s and QA Program guidance.
• Proper archiving, storage, and shipping of samples. May require lifting, stooping, carrying, and/or storing of sample archives of varying sizes and weights up to 40 lbs.
• Preparing written and oral technical reports, answering questions, and making recommendations to the Lead Biological Scientist for inclusion in comprehensive reports.
• Demonstrating ability to follow and adhere to written procedures and accepted practices in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, safety, security and dress code policies, procedures, and guidelines, including DHS Safeguarding Sensitive but Unclassified (For Official Use Only) Information (January 2005) when visiting or working at Government facilities.
• Accurately performing work with confidence.
• Demonstrating competency in various testing methodologies (e.g., multi-center studies), evaluating potential products and processes against unique environmental backgrounds, and meeting established deadlines.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in microbiology, molecular biology, or related course work in biological sciences, and at least one (1) year of laboratory bench experience outside of an academic environment, utilizing PCR, aseptic techniques, and biological assays.
• Biological Safety Level (BSL)-3 experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain/maintain a DHS Suitability security clearance.

Skills

• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
• Experience with decontamination procedures.
• Ability to interpret and analyze laboratory results independently.
• Proficiency in using computerized systems for data entry and record keeping.
• Experience with routine equipment calibration, cleaning, assembly, and maintenance.
• Ability to prepare and process biological samples.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and procedures.
• Ability to maintain chain-of-custody documentation.
• Experience with handling and disposing of biohazardous waste.
• Ability to perform routine equipment calibration, cleaning, assembly, and maintenance in multiple lab areas.
• Experience with preparing and processing reagents and samples.
• Ability to collect, process, and analyze internal laboratory swipes/swabs for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and contamination monitoring.
• Experience with supporting customer logistics in conducting and documenting annual inventory of DHS-procured durable equipment and property.
• Experience with analyzing routine external QA samples in accordance with the customer SOP’s and QA Program guidance.
• Experience with proper archiving, storage, and shipping of samples.
• Ability to prepare written and oral technical reports, answer questions, and make recommendations to the Lead Biological Scientist.
• Ability to demonstrate competency in various testing methodologies (e.g., multi-center studies), evaluate potential products and processes against unique environmental backgrounds, and meet established deadlines.

Benefits

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include: Health, dental, and vision insurance, Paid time off and holidays, Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching), Educational reimbursement, Parental leave, Employee stock purchase plan, Tax-saving options, Disability and life insurance, Pet insurance.