Job Description

Summary:

The Research Scientist III provides advanced scientific expertise and leadership in support of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) Research Directorate. The position is mission-essential and directly supports combat casualty care research across the five USAISR research pillars: Blood & Shock Resuscitation, Hemorrhage & Vascular Dysfunction, Organ Support & Automation Technology, Combat Wound Care, and Pain & Sensory Trauma.

The Research Scientist III serves as a principal investigator-level scientist responsible for planning, executing, supervising, and reporting protocol-driven research in trauma, hemorrhage, burns, immunomodulation, craniofacial injuries, directed energy health effects, and other military medicine priorities. This role includes supervising junior scientists, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and quality standards, and contributing to groundbreaking solutions for battlefield medicine.

About the Role:

Research & Laboratory Support

• Design, conduct, and oversee complex preclinical and translational research studies in trauma, shock, organ failure, wound progression, and pain/sensory injury.
• Develop and validate in vivo and in vitro model systems; oversee animal preparation, surgical procedures (survival and non-survival), post-operative care, and sample collection in accordance with IACUC, AALAS, and GLP (21 CFR 58) standards.
• Perform and/or supervise advanced laboratory techniques including:
• Molecular assays: PCR, western/northern/southern blots, ELISA, multiplex bead arrays.
• Cell biology: aseptic cell culture, cytotoxicity and effectivity assays, microscopy (bright-field, confocal, electron).
• Analytical chemistry: HPLC, LC-MS/MS, coagulation assays (TEG/Rotem), biochemical analyses.
• Imaging technologies: radiography, luminescence, laser speckle, spatial frequency domain imaging.
• Flow cytometry (high-definition spectral): operation, analysis, and troubleshooting.

Leadership & Supervision

• Provide scientific and technical guidance to junior contract scientists and research associates in the preparation of research protocols, SOPs, reports, and manuscripts.
• Supervise contract personnel engaged in laboratory operations, experimental procedures, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Ensure laboratory operations, inventories, chemical management, and equipment calibration/maintenance comply with OSHA, DoD, FDA, EPA, and Army regulations.

Scientific Writing & Communication

• Author and review protocols, SOPs, research proposals, grant applications (extramural/intramural), manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and final technical reports.
• Develop CRADA work statements and ensure compliance with collaborative research agreements.
• Present findings at local, national, and international scientific conferences and represent USAISR research in technical forums.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance

• Maintain Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, accurate research documentation, and auditable laboratory notebooks.
• Support regulatory submissions and interface with oversight bodies including IACUC, Institutional Review Board (IRB), FDA, and Army Human Research Protection Office.
• Uphold Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) standards and contribute to CPARS excellence ratings.

Mission-Essential Duties

• Serve as a Mission-Essential Scientist during USAISR emergencies, closures, or elevated FPCON conditions.
• Support extended hours, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations as needed for live protocols, animal studies, or urgent mission requirements.
• Provide technical expertise in blood donor operations, including donor screening, sample processing, transfusion product handling, and compliance with clinical laboratory standards.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• PhD or other doctorate in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Microbiology, Immunology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering).
• Licensure & Certifications (Current & Unrestricted):
• Current certification in one of the following:
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Course
• American Red Cross CPR (or equivalent)
• Experience:
• Minimum of seven (7) years relevant research experience in trauma, critical care, or related biomedical sciences.
• Documented experience in supervising scientific teams, preparing animal/human use protocols, and managing complex research projects.
• Security & Background Check:
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a CAC.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
• Additional Requirements:
• Willingness to comply with the government vaccination requirements.

Preferred Qualification(s):

• Demonstrated experience with DoD/Army medical research programs and knowledge of military operational environments.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, grant writing, and conference presentations.
• Expertise in genomics, molecular biology, or flow cytometry strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with DoD QMS, ISO 9001, and quality assurance systems.

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