Amentum is seeking a highly qualified mid-level scientist to contribute to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) through the Homeland Security and Materials Management Division (HSMMD). Based at Fort Meade’s Environmental Science Center (ESC), this role offers the candidate the chance to engage in innovative research while benefiting from a collaborative, development-oriented environment. **Primary Responsibilities:** + **Project Collaboration:** + Actively participate in projects as assigned, working closely with team members and project leaders to support research objectives. + **Quality Assurance:** + Comply with Fort Meade laboratory quality assurance standards, including SOPs, study protocols, and QAPPs. + Ensure data integrity and suggest enhancements to existing quality systems. + **Documentation:** + Maintain accurate records of laboratory activities and observations in line with EPA and Amentum protocols for records management. + **Safety and Protocol Compliance:** + Uphold Jacobs and EPA safety standards in all laboratory practices, ensuring a safe and compliant work environment. + **Ideal Candidate Profile:** + Demonstrates a high level of teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability to evolving research demands. + Enthusiastic about professional growth and continuous learning. + Committed to maintaining stringent laboratory practices and safety protocols. + **Professional Development Opportunities:** + Work on state-of-the-art research initiatives in environmental science and homeland security. + Continuous growth within a supportive and innovative team. **Education and Experience:** + **Education and Experience:** + Minimum 2 years of practical experience in microbiology or a related field. + Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a similar discipline, or a combination of relevant education and experience. + **Laboratory Competency:** + Skilled in independent laboratory work with hands-on experience in BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments, handling viruses, bacteria, or fungi. + Knowledge of media preparation, organism spiking for survivability tests, and GLP standards. + Proficient in PCR, bacterial colony enumeration, cell culture, and various bacteriophage and virus propagation techniques. + Competence in aseptic techniques, serial dilutions, microscopy, and agar plating for both bacterial and phage assays. + Detailed lab notebook documentation, strictly maintained on-site according to established protocols, with adherence to data accuracy and confidentiality. + Capacity to oversee chemical, reagent, and media inventories and manage lab equipment at Fort Meade. + **Additional Skills:** + Strong detail orientation, adherence to protocols, and ability to follow instructions effectively. + Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and proactive approach. + Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. + **Clearance and Schedule Requirements:** + Must comply with security and safety protocols set by Fort Meade, as well as Jacobs and EPA regulations. + Core on-site hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with an 8-hour workday. Any deviation from these hours, including weekend work, requires prior approval. + Off-site work needs to be scheduled a minimum of 2 weeks in advance to be considered for approval. It will require email notification to both the EPA Task Order Lead and Amentum’s Project Manager. **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** **Unusual or Special Physical Requirements of Position** + Lifting: 35 lbs, 10% + Special clothing/equipment (wearing): Industrial PPE (safety glasses, protective shoes, lab coats, dust masks), 100% + Other: Must be comfortable working in in a laboratory environment, 100% **Description of Work Environment** + Inside? Outside? Combination? Where? Laboratory or Indoor setting, 100% **Equipment and Machines Involved in Work Tasks (specify and provide % of time required)** + Office equipment/machines electrically/battery operated - which? Laptops + Tools used in trade - which ones? hand tools, + Other: Laboratory equipment including temperature, pressure, flow rate measurement devices, sifting equipment, 60% **Criticality of Attendance** + Overtime, regular days, off days: Regular days + Shift, 1st, 2nd, 3rd: 1 st shift, core hours 9:00AM - 3:00PM + Necessity for regular attendance: Critical + Urgency for punctuality: Urgent