Research Scientist Associate - Military veterans preferred

Description

SAIC currently has an opening for an Research Scientist Associate in Orient, NY to provide decontamination expertise for PIADC under a contract with the DHS S&T Directorate. Join SAIC’s OneSETA Team to provide our government customer with Systems Engineering & Technical Assistance (SETA) support. SETA services range from providing administrative assistance to providing expert technical assistance on national efforts that will contribute to maintaining and expanding the capabilities of homeland security.

In the laboratory, the candidate will work with foot-and-mouth disease virus and African swine fever virus, and research may include work with other animal viruses such as classical swine fever virus, and potentially other pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms.

One of the main responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to work with the lead DHS scientist to design, lead, and execute research projects for the development of validated decontamination methods for FADs in a biocontainment laboratory, in animal rooms, and in large building spaces. This includes:

• Developing and validating decontamination methods for large irregular spaces, equipment, ducts, pipework, etc.
• Approaches for measuring and documenting success of the decontamination process (i.e., biological indicators- type, number, placement, etc.; approach for quality assessment/quality control).
• Logistical considerations, hazards or challenges encountered, associated costs and lessons learned (useful for PIADC and also for the National Bio- and Agrodefense Facility, which is the new biocontainment facility being constructed in Manhattan, KS to replace and expand PIADC’s mission).
• Developing verification and validation SOPs that align in compliance with NY State environmental authorities and regulations from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agriculture Select Agent Services.
• Interfacing with internal and external stakeholders on current and future project status.
• Providing other research laboratory support as needed for other research projects.

Laboratory work will include but is not limited to:

• Design and validation of viral and bacterial decontamination regimens.
• Testing and evaluation of equipment and chemicals for decontamination.
• Production and quantification of bacterial spores and biological indicators.
• Passage of continuous cell lines and preparation of primary cells.
• Manipulating nucleic acids (PCR, cloning, preparation of plasmids, genomic DNA, RNA isolation, etc.).
• Various immunological techniques.
• Maintenance of laboratory notebooks.
• Following all laboratory safety and select agent protocols.
• Ordering supplies and materials.
• The position requires daily travel to and from Orient Point, NY or Old Saybrook, CT and Plum Island Animal Disease Center aboard government-provided marine vessels.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BS in Microbiology, Virology, or a related biological science and 0 years of relative experience.
• Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a federal public trust clearance and a federal select agent clearance.
• Research lab experience and the ability to work independently under the guidance of a federal scientist.
• Biosafety level -2 or -3 lab experience is not required, but all lab work will be performed inside BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs
• Effective oral and written communication skills which will be needed for internal and external presentations, reports, and manuscript preparation
• Proficiency in using basic word processing and data management software 

Desired Qualifications

• Preference is for highly motivated, dependable, and well-organized scientists who are also good team players.
• Travel may be required.