AAT Research Technician

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance! Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for an AAT Research Technician to provide laboratory and technical support for aerosol exposure studies, animal research protocols, and biocontainment laboratory operations supporting pathogenesis and medical countermeasure research programs. The position supports execution of scientific studies through biological aerosol generation, characterization, and sampling; laboratory testing and analysis; telemetry operations; animal protocol support; laboratory operations and maintenance; data collection and reporting; and technical training activities. The incumbent assists with execution of research protocols, maintains laboratory equipment and biocontainment workspaces, supports GLP-compliant operations, contributes to SOP development and quality initiatives, and supports research activities conducted within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.

Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients.   

• Assist to generate, characterize, and sample biological aerosols to support pathogenesis and medical countermeasure studies against biothreat agents. This shall include animal plethysmography, aerosol supervision and assisting, bacterial and viral assaying, and decontaminations. Workload is approximately 75-120 aerosol exposures per year.
• Investigate independently, and in collaboration with others, events during the phases of infection in representative laboratory animals prior to and following agent exposure.  Support all logistical and technical aspects of AAT supported animal protocols including but not limited to preparation of sample tubes, required supplies, and associated paperwork. Complete all study activities as assigned in the AAT Scheduling program. Follow study protocol and schedule to complete study activities as assigned to include but not limited to sample processing, aliquoting, sample inactivation, and sample management. Studies shall be conducted in a BSL-2, BSL-3, or BSL-4 laboratory environment. Workload is up to 20 protocols per year. 
• Perform assays to include viral and bacterial stock characterization, plating assays, ELISA, RT-PCR, microarray, cytokine analysis, and applicable in vitro sample analysis assays as required by approved in vivo and in vitro protocols. 
• Perform clinical pathology evaluation such as hematology, clinical chemistry analysis, coagulation and similar, in support of approved animal protocols and NHP colony management operations.
• Maintain AAT laboratory space and equipment. Record and document all equipment maintenance IAW USAMRIID SOPs and in compliance with GLP standards. Replenish supplies and promptly notify AAT leadership when supplies are low. Obtain and provide equipment and supply quotes as requested.
• Assist with SOP writing, revision, and review to meet GLP requirements and assist in the generation of SOP risk assessments. Appropriately respond to regulatory audits and Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPAs) within the required timelines. Workload is typically ten (10) to fifteen (15) SOPs and five (5) to ten (10) CAPAs per year.
• Shall coordinate and collaborate with AAT leadership and personnel to assist in the development and continuation of the AAT technical training program. Demonstrate proficiency in required tasks, and once qualified by AAT leadership, Contractor shall assist in the training of other technical staff as assigned.
• Independently assemble, calibrate, and test telemetry systems (e.g., DSI, Stellar and NOTOCORD); troubleshoot electronic and software communication issues, and independently perform telemetry support for animal studies in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biocontainment laboratory environments. Workload is approximately twenty (20) research studies per year.
• Shall operate and maintain the telemetry systems in a validated state for use in GLP animal studies and assist in the maintenance and validation of telemetry equipment as needed. Shall maintain an inventory of all telemetry system components to include hardware and software as needed. Workload is approximately fifteen (15) to twenty-five (25) validated systems per year.
• Shall maintain a safe and secure storage and backup of all original data files; tabulate and analyze telemetry data and provide results to Telemetry Support SME for review as needed.
• Assist in the coordination and collaboration with scientists and technical staff within the Institute to provide telemetry services to include assisting in the training of study personnel on basic telemetry functions and data review.
• Assist with entering of study data into appropriate formats and the development of charts and graphs as required. Assist in the preparation of manuscripts or posters relating to their research efforts. If determined by the Government, shall present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require local or CONUS travel. Present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
• Shall be trained in GLP and maintain records at that standard IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs.
• Complete required training as assigned in RIID-Train and by AAT Leadership. Contractor shall maintain training records IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs.
• Perform weekly/monthly details of Building 1412 BSL-3 change rooms, showers, and assigned containment areas. Details include cleaning, restocking, proper disposal of expired materials, and ensuring equipment and safety requirements are completed and documented IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs. 
• Perform weekly/monthly details of Building 1412 BSL-2 assigned laboratories. Details include cleaning, restocking, proper disposal of expired materials, and ensuring equipment and safety requirements are completed and documented IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs. 
• Shall timely report observations of safety or standard operating procedure non-compliance IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs, guidance and regulations.
• Shall provide technical support to animal protocols as needed by performing animal observations, physicals, sample collection, euthanasia, and tissue collection as required. Successful completion of training is required and provided by qualified Veterinary Medicine Division staff. All laboratory tasks shall be conducted under the guidance of a study PI and under the authority of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and in compliance with GLP standards. Studies shall be conducted in a BSL-2, BSL-3, or BSL-4 laboratory environment. Support requirements are as needed, and typically provide backfill support to veterinary technicians and study personnel during periods of high-volume activities.
• Promptly notify TPOC and AAT Leadership if restricted from containment and provide anticipated length of restriction for scheduling purposes. Shall coordinate task coverage with contract team members and notify AAT Leadership of updated assignments.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Typically requires five (5) to seven (7) years of related laboratory experience consistent with a Laboratory Technician 4 labor category.
• Five (5) years of relevant aerosol science, aerosol laboratory, or aerosol research experience.
• CS-PRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations. 
• BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations. 
• Experience performing laboratory procedures, scientific testing, research activities, and technical support functions in microbiology, molecular biology, aerosol science, veterinary medicine, laboratory animal science, or related scientific disciplines.
• Experience supporting laboratory animal studies, biological sample processing, and protocol execution activities.
• Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting laboratory and scientific data.
• Experience supporting laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, inventory management, and biosafety programs.
• Experience supporting SOP development, technical documentation, and laboratory compliance activities.
• Ability to work effectively within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Successfully pass required background and drug screening requirements.
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting aerosol exposure studies and medical countermeasure research programs.
• Experience operating aerosol nebulizers, aerosol collection systems, aerodynamic particle sizers, and related aerosol generation equipment.
• Experience supporting animal research studies in biocontainment environments.
• Experience performing ELISA, RT-PCR, microarray analysis, cytokine analysis, and clinical pathology testing.
• Experience supporting telemetry systems and telemetry-based animal studies.
• Experience supporting GLP-compliant laboratory environments.
• Experience preparing SOPs, risk assessments, technical reports, posters, and scientific documentation.
• Experience supporting CAPA activities, regulatory inspections, and laboratory quality systems.
• Experience training laboratory personnel and supporting technical training programs.
• Experience working with bacterial and viral pathogens in research settings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of aerosol science, biological aerosol generation, aerosol characterization, and aerosol sampling methodologies.
• Knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology, laboratory animal science, and biomedical research methodologies.
• Knowledge of ELISA, RT-PCR, microarray analysis, cytokine analysis, clinical pathology testing, and related laboratory techniques.
• Knowledge of telemetry systems, telemetry equipment maintenance, calibration, validation, and data management procedures.
• Knowledge of GLP requirements, laboratory quality systems, SOP development, CAPA processes, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory biosafety practices, biocontainment laboratory operations, and laboratory safety requirements.
• Ability to independently perform laboratory procedures, aerosol studies, telemetry support activities, and scientific testing protocols.
• Ability to collect, analyze, maintain, and communicate scientific and technical data.
• Ability to prepare reports, charts, graphs, SOPs, risk assessments, and technical documentation.
• Ability to train and support laboratory personnel and study staff.
• Ability to support animal protocols and associated research activities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific teams.