Biological Decontamination Research Fellow

Precise Systems, Inc.•Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

2d•$85,952 - $115,500•Onsite

About The Position

Precise Systems seeks a Biological Decontamination Research Fellow to develop and test methods for decontaminating laboratory spaces and wider areas, including military operational assets. The role characterizes decontaminant formulations and methods to assess efficacy against known and emerging threats, including infectious disease pathogens such as bacteria, toxins, and viruses, as well as their simulants. The fellow will also evaluate formulation effectiveness and safety on military-relevant materials. Work is performed onsite in Edgewood, Maryland, in support of DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center (CBC), the primary Department of War technical organization for non-medical chemical and biological defense. Work may involve environmental or human-origin threats, including pathogens up to BSL3.

Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, virology, microbiology, public health, or a closely related field.
Skill in microbiological and molecular methods, mammalian cell culture, viral expansion, and virological characterization techniques, including plaque assays, TCID50s, neutralization assays, and dynamic light scattering.
Experience conducting laboratory- or field-based experimental research.
Strong quantitative and data analysis skills.
Excellent scientific writing abilities.
Five years of experience with the duties described.
Must hold and maintain a Secret security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience in environmental or molecular virology.
Experience with VHP, UV, and/or far-UV disinfection technologies.
Experience with cell culture or viral infectivity assays.
Experience in aerosol science, air sampling, or surface–virus interactions.
Experience working in BSL3 and/or ability to be cleared for work in BSL3 and BSAT spaces.

Responsibilities

Use microbiological, molecular, and virological methods to produce standard materials for testing.
Conduct decontamination evaluations for organisms on substrates including stainless steel, concrete, carpet, tile, metal, and plastics.
Scale decontamination methods from bench scale to full laboratory scale and/or wider areas.
Collaborate with a team to design, test, and deliver rapid, facile methods for decontaminating small-scale coupons and large areas.
Develop decontamination methods in the laboratory and optimize and streamline them for field use.
Troubleshoot processes and equipment, and train and prepare for field demonstrations.
Characterize decontaminant formulations and methods for efficacy against known and emerging threats and simulants.
Evaluate decontaminant formulation effectiveness and safety on military-relevant material compositions.