Description

This position is an alternate opening, and will only be employed should the already identified primary candidate withdraw or be deemed ineligible fill the role.

The Leidos Corporation is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to assist with all aspects of laboratory facility management and logistical or technical support for science teams deployed to Antarctica. This position is a seasonal position and deploys to McMurdo Station, Antarctica from either October to February (summer) or February to October (winter).

Don't miss this opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a difference. Apply now!

This is a seasonal position, and deployment to McMurdo Station, Antarctica is required for a period of ~6-9 months. The candidate in the position must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica.

• Vision: Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness.
• Mission: To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

• Coordinating with various agencies and Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) departments for facility inspections, tours, and the completion of work orders/tasking within the facility.
• Ensuring laboratory users maintain safe laboratory practices as outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan by orienting users to the facility, informing users of all standard safety expectations, highlighting emergency response procedures, presenting primary hazards of the facility, and conducting routine laboratory inspections.
• Assisting in the planning, allocation, and adaptation of laboratory resources and equipment for current or upcoming science teams.
• Coordinating intra- and intercontinental science sample movements with both scientists and a variety of work centers.
• Preparing weekly and end-of-season status reports. Creating and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as necessary.
• Conducting the cleaning, organization, and preparation of laboratories, offices, aquarium facilities, loading docks, staging spaces, cold storage rooms, conference rooms, and other common-use areas within the facility.
• Monitoring and maintaining the aquarium, cold storage rooms, and all shared-use areas within the facility.
• Managing inventory and tracking of samples, equipment, or other resources as necessary.
• Briefing various agencies and ASC departments on current research; providing tours of laboratory facilities.
• Monitoring the Duty Pager and being on-call 24/7 for alarms or issues approximately one week of every month.
• Providing input on suggested improvements to the laboratory spaces and associated systems that would enhance their use as research facilities.
• Shoveling and otherwise maintaining entrances/exits to the facility for safe and proper egress.
• Supporting the Hazardous Materials Specialist with monitoring the receipt, inventory, disposal and proper use of hazardous laboratory chemicals. Assisting with the segregation and packaging of laboratory solid wastes for proper disposal, reuse, and/or recycling.
• Monitoring the use of radioisotopes and radiation producing equipment by National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs' (OPP) approved groups. Providing cryogen support where required.
• Supporting the Instrument Technician by testing, maintaining, and calibrating equipment and instrumentation as requested.
• Managing all laboratory activities. (winter only)
• Being the primary science liaison which includes: coordinating with other work centers and departments for facility inspections, tours, and the completion of work orders/ tasking within the facility. (winter only)

• Bachelor's degree in a science field, and 2+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• A successful candidate must demonstrate organizational and interpersonal skills and be self-motivated to identify and carry out projects and requests on their own.
• Experience in a research environment providing direct support to science events/projects required.
• Must successfully complete the physical and dental examinations as required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica.
• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for approximately 4-9 months is required.
• US citizenship or US Permanent Residency is required.
• Good verbal communication skills, computer literacy, and problem solving skills are required.

• Experience in a research environment providing direct support to science events/projects preferred.
• Remote field work and/or polar experience.
• Comfortable with public speaking.