Research and Development Associate jobs in Dothan, AL

SUMMARY

Provide scientific support for the planning and execution of specialized research described in grants, proposals, and other legal agreements in accomplishment of USAARL’s Injury Biomechanics mission. Support team-based research, analysis, and investigations in collaboration with Government personnel and external partners. Perform human and human surrogate laboratory procedures, testing, research activities, and other tasks in biomechanics, human performance, and kinesiology.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform a variety of scientific and administrative tasks, with a certain degree of creativity and latitude supporting the objectives of Injury Biomechanics and Protection Group and specific projects, particularly those that investigate surrogate markers of human injury through human performance, fatigue, endurance, and other pre-injurious biomarkers from the field of kinesiology (the musculoskeletal system, nerves, kinematics, and sensor systems). All aspects of RDT&E are included, but particularly Human Subject Research, Research Not Involving Human Subjects (RNIHS), and cadaveric research.
• Interface with volunteers, collaborators, research team members, military personnel, military cadre members, and unit leadership. This includes, but is not limited to, recruiting and consenting volunteers; coordinating proposals, protocols, and data collections with collaborators; coordinating tasks with research team members; coordinating and briefing military personnel, cadre, and unit leadership.
• Support technical planning sessions and programmatic reviews, particularly when the Project PI is unavailable.
• Coordinate and communicate project, personnel, and resource schedules to ensure project and programmatic goals are achieved in a timely manner against project and programmatic timelines.
• Support and lead laboratory and offsite field studies for extensive periods of time, to include training and operational site visits, study preparation and packing, data collection, and study execution.
• Support the project team during preparation of protocol, test plans, and project design; documentation, design, assembly, and demonstration of scientific methodology and equipment required for project readiness reviews; collection of data, including documentation; and data handling, protection, and analysis.
• Develop research work plans, data collection logistics, and analyses to accomplish the goals of the projects assigned.
• Be responsible for documenting and reporting project data, data analyses, and analytical conclusions in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Organize and assist team members with identifying and obtaining needed supplies and equipment, assembling such items for research, packing such items for off-site data collection, and ensuring proper documentation of such items for inventory, transport, shipping, etc.
• Other research duties as assigned as a study team member for the preparation, execution, and analysis required for successful completion of study objectives as determine by Group leadership and the study Principal Investigator.
• Record all laboratory procedures, research project data, and results in government-authorized notebooks and electronic systems in accordance with applicable regulations, procedures, and naming conventions.
• Supports team members with identifying and obtaining needed supplies and equipment, assembling such items for research, packing such items for off-site data collection, and ensuring proper documentation of such items for inventory, transport, shipping, etc.
• Rely on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job, including but not limited to relevant standard operating procedures, national standards of research technical accuracy, and/or other written guidelines provided.
• Read, understand, and execute techniques and procedures within the quality standards and timelines prescribed by the research plan, protocol, Statement of Work, or test plan.
• Conduct injury biomechanics research with equipment and in field settings that may create potentially hazardous conditions.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering related field such as electrical, biomedical, mechanical, biomechanics, physics, etc.
• Must have a minimum six (6) years of experience in biomedical engineering or clinical.
• Experience in laboratory procedures, testing and research activities.
• knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, standards, and procedures within biomechanics and mathematics as demonstrated through a degree and coursework in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field from an accredited program.
• Experience in scientific programming and use of MATLAB.
• Must obtain and maintain any necessary security access and/or background checks.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Must be able to read, understand and execute techniques and procedures within the quality standards and timelines prescribed by the research plan.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and initiatives at one time.
• Good written communication skills and a solid understanding of Government contracting and the professional services industry.
• Good computer skills with advanced knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Proven ability to exercise mature judgment – specifically in recognizing and respecting the confidential nature of corporate and personnel matters.

TRAVEL

May travel CONUS or OCONUS to conduct RDT&E, attend working groups meetings, training, workshops, conferences or other relevant meetings. Expectation of multiple data collections per year. The expected travel time is less than 25%.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

Must have or be able to attain a valid state driver’s license and be insurable on the company’s automobile insurance policy.

Driving, with or without accommodation, may be required when traveling for training and/or short occasional amounts of local driving. The expected driving time is less than 25%.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, lying down or to be or remain in a position or state of inactivity. Lift and carry 50 lbs. individually and as a part of a team lift and carry operation; use hand tools to assemble and disassemble equipment, instrumentation, and test devices; climb and descend equipment, test devices, military vehicles, steps, or ladders. It is Katmai’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office and /or laboratory setting. Laboratory environment includes human testing, so exposure may include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogens, bio-hazardous waste, chemicals, fumes, vapors, communicable diseases, etc. Employee will be exposed to a wide variety of people in differing functions, personalities and abilities.

WORK SCHEDULE

Full-time. May work variable work hours to meet performance requirements (e.g., proposal and reporting deadlines, collaborations, and lab and field data collections), including occasional night and weekend hours.

Compliance:

To be considered for this position, all applicants must apply on the company website, https://katmaicorp.com/life-at-katmai/

We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. https://katmaicorp.com/life-at-katmai/#equal_opportunity

Preference will be given to Ouzinkie Shareholders, Descendants of Shareholders and Spouses of Shareholders in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g) and Title 42 U.S. Code 2000e - 2(i).

Executive Order 11246, as amended, protects applicants and employees from discrimination based on inquiring about, disclosing, or discussing their compensation or the compensation of other applicants or employees.