Lead Biological Science Laboratory Technician - The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Lead Biological Science Laboratory Technician to perform laboratory procedures and provide supervision to section technicians. 

This position will be in support of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Behavioral Biology Research (BBR) Branch in Silver Spring, MD.  The research mission of the BBR aims to develop knowledge products and materiel solutions to enhance Soldier alertness, decision-making, and performance in the context of degraded sleep quantity and quality across the spectrum of Army operations.  The BBR Branch consists of three sections, the Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) section, the Operational Research Team (ORT), and the Sleep Research Center (SRC). BBR’s basic services include the exploration and development of strategies, technologies, and pharmacologics for monitoring, preventing, and/or reversing the decrementing effects of sleep loss, traumatic stress, and fatigue on cognitive, emotional, physical, and other areas of performance to enhance Warfighter resilience, health, and operational performance.  This position will support the Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) section.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

This position is dependent upon contract award.

• Receive and stay current with all required training courses to conform to Institute policies, including those related to laboratory safety, security, information management, animal care and others.
• Manage laboratory in accordance with WRAIR, AALAC and Safety regulations and respond to all requests for improvements in a timely manner in coordination with the PI.
• Manage laboratory equipment in accordance with WRAIR regulations and coordinate with outside vendors to ensure proper function and repairs as needed.
• Perform behavioral tests on rats, including advanced computer-controlled behavioral testing systems such as elevated plus maze, acoustic startle, open field, operant conditioning, associative conditioning, and other tests as assigned.
• Perform blood draws, tissue dissection, and proper processing and storage of specimens to support studies.
• Participates in the development of new methods, approaches, or procedures to include electrophysiological recording and animal surgeries.
• Process, analyze, and visualize data in graphical or other tabulated formats per laboratory standards.
• Manage development and maintenance of up-to-date laboratory SOPs and best laboratory practices in coordination with the PI and other research staff.
• Develop and demonstrate excellent and professional rapport with research assistants in the laboratory, and other Institute personnel.
• Proactively manage and engage in multiple ongoing laboratory efforts simultaneously to include managing lab calendar to ensure lab resources and personnel are allocated according to lab priorities with input from the PI.
• Manage orderly storage and inventory of purchased supplies, equipment and materials necessary to conduct experiments and maintain the laboratories, to include laboratory animals; Initiate and track purchase requests for supplies and animals with input from the PI.
• Draft administrative documents for submission through internal processes with minimal oversight from the PI to include but not limited to minor IACUC amendments, CAPR requests, agreement requests, purchase requests, ARC requests, PBAC requests and annual and other protocol censuses.
• Orient new technicians to laboratory procedures and standards as needed; coordinate lab member orientations and document proficiencies in technical skills for lab members.
• Coordinate with oversight departments to ensure compliance with WRAIR regulations.
• Be proficient in productivity software programs including Word, Excel, GraphPad Prism, SPSS Statistics, and others.
• Adhere to scientific standards of responsible conduct of research, and scientific integrity.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 6-8 years experience required or Master's Degree and 2 years experience in preclinical research.

• 7 years experience or more in research administration can be considered

Licences and Certifications

• NextMT(ASCP) or equivalent education experience in microbiology

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of a wide variety of laboratory techniques.

• A good understanding of CLIA, OSHA, and CAP requirements.

• Should have a minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience.

• Should have technical knowledge of scientific disciplines.

• Has written standard operating procedures or laboratory protocols necessary for accreditation.

• Developed and maintained research study involving testing in the laboratory.

• Has some knowledge in research testing validation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigned Lead: May recommend the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, and starting salaries. Provide input on employee performance evaluations.

Physical Capabilities 

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 10 lbs.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Some positions or sites may require the incumbent to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination or an approved religious or medical accommodation will be required.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable.  Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)