Lab Assistant - Antarctica

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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).

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

Due to contract requirements, US Citizenship is required.

Must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to start date. This process could take up to 4 months.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $74,000 to $80,000 annually, along with a percentage increase during deployment.

Your greatest work is ahead!

About the Antarctic Support Contract:

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF’s Office of Polar Program’s Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics by aligning with their Mission and Vision Statements:

• 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.

Leidos ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines. The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission.

To learn more about the Leidos Antarctic Support contract,click here.

Are you ready to join a team dedicated to a mission? Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career, share your resume with us today!

The Challenge:

• Dependent on the Austral season (winter or summer) tasking includes, but is not limited to:

• 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)

What Sets You Apart:

• 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.

You May Also Have:

• Experience in a research environment providing direct support to science events/projects preferred.

• Remote field work and/or polar experience.

• Comfortable with public speaking.

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Original Posting:

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Originally posted on Himalayas