AAT Senior 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 Senior Research Technician who shall provide laboratory support by assisting in the performance of aerosol exposures and execution of research protocols as directed by AAT Leadership. Shall have a working knowledge of aerosol generating platforms and ancillary equipment to include aerodynamic particle sizers, aerosol nebulizers, aerosol collection devices, and various plenums.  Shall execute scientific studies, assist with data collection/entry, maintain AAT laboratory space and equipment, and train/mentor other technical staff.  Shall work in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories with controlled substances.

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.

• Shall 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.
• Shall 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. Shall enter studies in the AAT Scheduling program to capture all required study activities as required.
• Shall 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 inventory management. Studies shall be conducted in a BSL-2, BSL-3, or BSL-4 laboratory environment. Workload is up to 20 protocols per year. 
• Shall 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. 
• Shall perform clinical pathology evaluation to include but not limited to hematology, clinical chemistry, urine, fecal and coagulation analysis in support of approved animal protocols and NHP colony management operations. 
• Shall 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, you shall present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require local or CONUS travel. Shall present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
• Shall 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.
• Shall mentor and train team members IAW USAMRIID SOPs and applicable regulations and guidance as assigned.
• Shall write, revise and peer review SOPs to meet GLP requirements and assist in the generation of SOP risk assessments. Shall appropriately respond to regulatory audits and CAPAs within the required timelines. Workload is typically ten (10) to fifteen (15) SOPs and five (5) to fifteen (15) 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, you 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.
• 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. Contractor 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.
• 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.
• Be trained in GLP and maintain records at that standard IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs.
• 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.
• Complete required training as assigned in RIID-Train and by AAT Leadership. 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. Provide completed record of weekly details to AAT Leadership by the end of each week. 
• 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. 
• Timely report observations of safety or standard operating procedure non-compliance IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs, guidance and regulations.
• Provide technical support to animal protocols as needed by performing animal observations, physicals, sample collection, euthanasia, and tissue collection as required. Successful completion of animal specific 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

• 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.
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Veterinary Science, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline and seven (7) or more years of directly related laboratory or aerosol research experience; OR Master's degree in a related scientific discipline and three (3) or more years of directly related experience.
• Seven (7) years of relevant aerosol experience.
• Demonstrated experience performing laboratory procedures, testing, research activities, and scientific support functions in aerosol science, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, veterinary medicine, toxicology, or related scientific disciplines.
• Experience independently executing complex laboratory procedures, scientific protocols, and technical research activities.
• Working knowledge of aerosol generating platforms and ancillary equipment, including aerodynamic particle sizers, aerosol nebulizers, aerosol collection devices, and associated aerosol exposure systems.
• Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting scientific and research data in accordance with established quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, inventory control, and biosafety requirements.
• Experience training, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to laboratory or research personnel.
• Ability to work in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment requirements.
• Successfully pass required background screening and drug testing.
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting aerosol exposure studies involving biothreat agents.
• Experience supporting animal research studies in biocontainment environments.
• Experience performing ELISA, RT-PCR, microarray, cytokine analysis, bacterial and viral characterization assays, and other laboratory research techniques.
• Experience with telemetry systems including DSI, Stellar, NOTOCORD, or similar research platforms.
• Experience working under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements.
• Experience writing, revising, and peer reviewing standard operating procedures.
• Experience supporting regulatory audits, CAPAs, quality systems, and laboratory compliance programs.
• Experience presenting scientific data through reports, posters, manuscripts, or conference presentations.
• Experience training laboratory personnel and supporting technical training programs.
• Experience supporting veterinary medicine or medical countermeasure research programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of aerosol science, aerosol exposure systems, biological aerosol generation, characterization, and sampling methodologies.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal research, pathogenesis studies, and medical countermeasure research activities.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures including ELISA, RT-PCR, microarray analysis, cytokine analysis, bacterial and viral characterization assays, and clinical pathology testing.
• Knowledge of telemetry equipment, software systems, calibration procedures, validation requirements, and data management practices.
• Knowledge of GLP principles, laboratory quality systems, SOP development, CAPA processes, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of biosafety, biocontainment operations, laboratory safety practices, and applicable USAMRIID procedures and regulations.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and support complex laboratory and research activities.
• Ability to collect, manage, analyze, interpret, and report scientific and technical data.
• Ability to prepare reports, charts, graphs, manuscripts, posters, SOPs, risk assessments, and technical documentation.
• Ability to assemble, calibrate, validate, operate, and maintain scientific and telemetry equipment.
• Ability to mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to laboratory and research personnel.
• Ability to identify, document, and report safety concerns, procedural deviations, and compliance issues.
• Ability to support animal protocols, laboratory operations, and research activities within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 environments.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific and technical teams.