The Leidos Corporation is seeking a Supervisor of Laboratory Operations for the Crary Science and Engineering Center (CSEC). The CSEC is a multi-purpose laboratory and office facility supporting a wide range of scientific disciplines at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The laboratory facilities include analytical chemistry, microbiology, microscopy, molecular biology, radioisotope, seawater aquaria, and general use laboratories configured to support biology, chemistry, oceanography, limnology, atmospheric physics, geology, and glaciology projects.

The Supervisor will be responsible for laboratory science support provided at McMurdo Station including: Overseeing operations and ensuring safety at CSEC and across other science facilities at McMurdo. Ensures all staff, grantees, and customers have the resources and information needed. Provides guidance to all staff in the building requiring science support. Creates the major resource (laboratory, offices, lab equipment) usage schedules for grantee and USAP seasonal requirements. This individual is also considered the ASC subject matter expert for laboratory practice and equipment.

McMurdo: Deploys to McMurdo Station for the summer season to run the laboratory facilities and supervise ASC laboratory and technical support personnel. Primary on-site POC for all CSEC activities, including ASC departments, NSF, and grantees. Reallocates lab/office space and equipment as requirements change throughout the season.

Remote: Assists in hiring contract/seasonal staff and provides direction to the Winter Lab Assistant at McMurdo Station. Coordinates the purchase of laboratory supplies for the following season and track the shipment of all purchases for the laboratory. Assists in budget planning and long range investment planning. Allocates all laboratory resources (including laboratories/offices, equipment) for the following season.

*** Deployment to Antarctica will be necessary of this role (approximately 5 months/year). 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 $96,000 - $102,000 annually, along with a percentage increase while deployed.

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:

Assists in review of research requirements, planning, and scheduling of laboratory support for science events and projects.

Creates a safety culture as outlined in the NSF Code of Conduct and Chemical Hygiene Plan for all personnel in the CSEC.

Provides input to the Annual Program Plan for material budgets, sub-contracts, and personnel resource scheduling. Monitors the laboratory budget and procurements. Assists in researching, evaluating, justifying, and procuring laboratory and field instruments and equipment based on funded science and investment plan. Assists in maintaining appropriate and accurate inventories of spare parts.

Provides input to the S&TPS McMurdo Implementation Manager on suggested improvements to the laboratories and the associated systems that would enhance their use as research facilities.

Manages the allocation of all office, aquarium, and laboratory space in the CSEC.

Assists in hiring all seasonal staff; provides primary tasking to laboratory staff while deployed to McMurdo. Leads regular/weekly laboratory staff meeting.

Provides instructions for care, usage, maintenance, purchase, and disposal of CSEC owned materials, instruments, equipment, and engineered facility safety systems.

Provides educational tours to Distinguished Visitors from NSF, US Military, US Government Officials, Corporate Officials, and International Antarctic Program visitors. Briefing various agencies and ASC departments on current research; providing tours of laboratory facilities.

Coordinates permits for sample shipments through New Zealand; maintains communication system for hand-carry samples moving through New Zealand.

Coordinates staging space within CSEC and around McMurdo for staff and grantees.

Coordinates the facility accessibility (clearing snow, water drainage, vehicle fumes, etc.).

Monitoring the Duty Pager and being on-call 24/7 for alarms or issues approximately one week of every month.

Fosters and cultivates relationships with all supporting departments across ASC, NSF, and technical/operational grantees.

Prepares weekly, monthly and end of season status reports, as necessary. Creating and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as necessary.

What Sets You Apart:

The successful candidate must demonstrate a deep understanding of and ability to apply principles, theories, and concepts of the scientific and technical domain and has broad understanding of other related specialty areas.

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of prior relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 2+ years of prior relevant experience; in the natural or physical sciences.

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 4-6 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:

4+ years of laboratory management/leadership experience.

Previous supervisory experience.

Remote field work and/or polar experience.

Comfortable with public speaking.

Experience with coordinating facility maintenance and facility access control systems.

Experience with Inventory Control Systems; preferably Maximo.

Purchasing/budget tracking experience.

Original Posting Date:2024-12-19

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:Pay Range $72,150.00 - $130,425.00

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.