SUMMARY
Provide research engineering support for research, analysis, and investigations in supporting design, preparation, execution, and analysis of studies and experimentation; selecting, installing, and maintaining instrumentation; performing laboratory procedures, field studies, testing, and research activities; and other scientific and administrative tasks in fields such as mechanical or biomedical engineering, injury biomechanics, biomechanics, or other related field with minimal supervision.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist with all levels of documentation, particularly engineering and technical aspects, development of testing procedures and equipment, collection of data, assessment and mitigation of risks, and evaluation and maintenance of functionality and safety of unique research assets and facilities.
- Advise Principal Investigators, Group Leadership, and study teams in administration and execution of RDT&E, analysis, and investigations.
- Provide advanced services related to the Injury Biomechanics RDT&E program, particularly related to Post Mortem Human Specimen (PMHS) or human research volunteers; material testing; biomedical instrumentation; ATDs; and data acquisition and analysis, including the development of research proposals, plans, and protocols to address existing or newly defined research needs/gaps according to policy and procedures of USAARL.
- All aspects of RDT&E are included, such as Human Subject Research, Research Not Involving Human Subjects (RNIHS), animal and cadaveric studies, and Test and Evaluations.
- Provide services related to preparing reports, presentations, manuscripts, and other documentation on research progress and findings, that will be ready for distribution and presentation (by incumbent or others) within the laboratory and/or at small or large scientific, professional, technical, or programmatic forums within and outside of USAARL.
- Work independently with minimal strategic and application and with no technical direction to address analytic, theoretical, scientific, and operational questions, solve analytic and technical problems, and execution analytic, theoretical, scientific, and administrative solutions – creativity and latitude are expected.
- Provide scientific analytical, engineering problem solving, design efforts, and experienced-based solutions related to creating, measuring, and evaluating biomechanical, kinematic, and physiologic responses (including determining bio-fidelity, injury risk, and human tolerance) for Soldier injury prevention through scientifically sound and approved protocols, policies, and/or research and test plans to ensure quality, accuracy, reproducibility, and relevance of data/results.
- (e.g., by following procedures, recording and documenting efforts and results, and properly handling and storing data).
- Provide engineering expertise in developing and writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will ensure scientific and sound engineering principles and safety procedures are implemented and followed per USAARL and MRMC approval process and existing policies.
- Such SOPs will be used during the execution of research protocols and research/test plans that may include volunteers, cadaveric specimens, animals, and/or other biological/biomedical and non-biological materials and devices, such as PPE. Such SOPs may include the operation of data acquisition, instrumentation, mechanical material characterization equipment, and impact devices.
- Provide engineering expertise in preparing for classical and injury biomechanics research studies, including collaborative work with industrial and academic partners, design work for fabrication of biomechanical test equipment/devices, troubleshooting instrumentation and other equipment necessary for research purposes, and selection and justification of materials/supplies/equipment necessary for successful injury biomechanics research.
- Actively conduct (theoretically and hands-on) PMHS research, volunteer research, quality assurance, data analysis, BSL-2 good laboratory practice, and publication of project findings.
- Ensure all team members follow laboratory safety and biosafety requirements, in coordination with Group Leadership, Investigators, or other relevant staff.
- Develop and provide recommendations to improve, laboratory safety and biosafety requirements, in coordination with Group Leadership, Investigators, or other relevant staff.
- Execute biomechanical and/or biomedical protocols and analyze data
- Provide guidance to and participate within a study team, including assignment and execution of tasks to develop research work plans, proposals, data collection and analyses, and agreements:
- Develop testing procedures and data collection necessary to execute project goals.
- Acquiring, analyzing, evaluating, and management of data gathered during research
- Maintain customer and collaborator relations.
- Perform other data-related and research equipment/facilities support functions, including physical packing, moving, shipping, inventory, relocation, and re-organization, as needed.
- Fly on military aircraft or ride in military vehicles in the official conduct of duties of the position on written authority of the Laboratory Commander.
- Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of commonly used and advanced concepts, practices, standards, and procedures within injury biomechanics, mechanics, dynamics, strengths of materials, and mathematics as demonstrated through a relevant engineering degree and coursework from an ABET accredited program and demonstrates experience and skill with a large variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures through publications.
- Experience in programming, data acquisition, instrumentation, kinematic and video motion capture, and use of MATLAB.
- Demonstrated experience with most of the following research tool groupings: FDA and/or IRB approval processes, numerical analysis, trauma research, finite element and/or computational fluid modeling, shock tubes, blast, impact, and/or mechanical testing devices, vehicle (air, ground, water) safety systems, personnel protective equipment (PPE), biomedical imaging and imaging analysis tools (including CT, MRI, and x-rays), mathematical analysis software (MATLAB), high speed imaging and analysis tools, instrumentation (load cells, accelerometers, pressure gauges, etc.), data acquisition equipment (high rate, high quality), biomechanical research and testing with demonstrated injury biomechanics research; PMHS (post mortem human specimen) research and data, and/or with ATDs (Anthropomorphic Test Devices).
- Serve as a credentialed Associate Investigator (AI) or Principal Investigator (PI)
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Secret Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
- Must obtain and maintain any necessary security access and/or background checks
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
- Ability to coordinate multiple projects and initiatives at one time.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and a solid understanding of Government contracting and the professional services industry.
- 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.
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.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
Ability to Relocate:
- Fort Novosel, AL: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person