Actox

Leidos Health & Civil Sector is seeking an experienced Research Scientist, Scientist I, to perform Inhalation Toxicology Research in support of biomedical research in the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory (EHEL) at the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, OH. The successful candidate will serve as Project Lead in cell-based and animal use research studies on environmental and occupational exposures to identify health effects before health and operational performance is compromised in the warfighter.

Responsibilities

• Work with a diverse team of scientists, including toxicologists, engineers, neuroscientists, chemists, psychologists, animal behaviorists and biologists, to accomplish the mission of understanding the health effects of operating in military settings.
• Design and conduct scientific research on the inhalation toxicological effects of exposure to chemicals/mixtures; these may be in combination with extreme environmental hazards or stressors, to include temperature, humidity, altitude, vibrations, and noise, and/or physical demand.
• Utilize animal models to evaluate the short- and long-term health and performance effects of acute and chronic exposure to chemicals, mixtures, environmental hazards and stressors.
• Provide scientific expertise in the field of inhalation toxicology regarding all organ systems, including pulmonary, neurological/cognitive and developmental and reproductive effects.
• Identify, devise, propose and execute military relevant studies and collect data from animal subjects (primarily rodent).
• Develop appropriate exposure systems, including analytical techniques for identifying toxicants and/or aerosols.
• Contribute substantially to the design and building toxicant generation and other exposure systems.
• Perform risk assessments based on collected toxicological data.
• Assist other investigators in the design and execution of research protocols on inhalation toxicology and environmental exposure issues of interest to the Navy.
• Operate and maintain standard and specialized laboratory equipment.
• Assist and educate entry level research assistant personnel in the understanding and performance of their duties.
• Collect pulmonary/respiratory data, or other appropriate endpoints, from animal subjects following exposure.
• Perform statistical analyses using SigmaPlot, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) or Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Examples of the typical analyses required for successful performance include T‑tests, Chi‑Square, Analyses of Variance, Multivariate Analyses of Variance, analyses of covariance, multivariate analyses of covariance, correlations, linear regressions, multiple linear regressions, and power analyses.
• Use multiple computer software packages to create spreadsheets and perform statistical routines.
• Independently and proactively prepare mission‑relevant proposal applications for toxicological, physiological, psychological, medical, and performance studies.
• Independently and plan, manage, oversee, and carry out research proactively ensuring that those assisting in project coordination are fully informed and able to perform proposed/funded research, meeting all project deadlines.
• Develop technical reports, presentations, and publications.
• Be willing and able to work nontraditional hours (e.g., nights, weekends) as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Toxicology or a related scientific field with specialized study in inhalation, pulmonary and/or respiratory toxicology.
• Extensive experience proposing and conducting original research, including the design and implementation of protocols with animal models, data collection and analysis, and report production.
• Extensive experience in toxicology studies utilizing small animals, with a specialty in inhalation research.
• Strong background in toxicology research methodology with experience in research methods, design, and statistical analysis in a research setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Proficiency in the use of common statistical analysis software, to include SigmaPlot, SPSS and SAS.
• Strong technical writing background with experience in writing research proposals, standard operating procedures, animal use protocols for approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (human use/Institutional Review Board protocols a plus), technical reports, journal articles, and conference papers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Self‑motivated and capable of working independently and with others.
• Ability to obtain Secret Clearance.
• US Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD plus 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in a military or medical research environment is highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience and success responding to research funding and grant requests for proposals.
• Experience in modeling (e.g., quantitative‑structure activity relationships, benchmark dose, etc.) a plus.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.