Akima Systems Engineering (ASE) is hiring a qualified and experienced Biologist to perform the tasks described below and within written established guidelines in support of The National Wildlife Heath Center (NWHC). The work required is to design and perform scientific experiments, generate scientific data, and conduct appropriate analysis in support of experimental conclusions. Experimental designs, hypotheses, results, and conclusions shall be documented, and records shall be submitted documenting progress towards task accomplishment. The Biologist will collaborate with USGS staff and scientists to collect data, perform analyses, and write and publish USGS report products, in accordance with fundamental science practices and quality assurance standards.

This Hybrid position requires that you live within commuting distance from Madisson WI.

Travel:

Some may be required to support program tasks, including occasional attendance of professional society meetings workshops or travel to pick up and drop off samples.

Laboratory and office facilities are located at:

U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center

6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711

About The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC):

Is a science center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with specialized laboratories dedicated to wildlife disease detection, control, and prevention. Their mission is to advance wildlife health science for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment and involves the performance of scientific research to better understand the biology of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and the effects of the disease on cervids and other susceptible mammals. Akima is hiring a Biologist III to collaborate with government scientists to deepen understanding of CWD and CWD prion biology.

CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative contagious prion disease of cervids. Like other prion diseases, CWD involved interactions between the agent PrPCWD and a host factor PrPC. CWD is spreading across the United States and increasing in prevalence in those areas where it is endemic. CWD is currently affecting white-tailed and mule deer, elk & moose. Research areas being addressed include detection approaches to discriminate different variants of CWD prions, diagnostic techniques for CWD prions, environmental persistence of prions, transmission of CWD, CWD pathobiology and animal host susceptibility.

The Biologist will perform laboratory studies of prions and chronic wasting disease to include the following:

• Collect, curate, and prepare biological and environmental samples that may contain CWD prions.
• Assist in developing protocols for prion detection from a wide range of biological and environmental samples.
• Prepare preliminary experimental designs to perform laboratory experiments for review.
• Operate laboratory equipment (balances, centrifuges, incubators, shakers, pipettes, thermal cyclers, spectrophotometers, etc.).
• Purify recombinant prion proteins from E. coli suitable for use as substrates in real time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays.
• Perform and troubleshoot RT-QuIC assays.
• Examine tissue and environmental samples for the presence of disease-associated prion proteins.
• Extract prions from multiple matrices for detection and analysis.
• Quantitate the abundances of relevant proteins from tissue samples.
• Extract nucleic acids from tissue samples.
• Prepare nucleic acids for genotyping and sequencing.
• Provide preliminary analysis of data to support the conclusions of the experiments.
• Assist to assemble, evaluate, and analyze data for presentation in a scientifically appropriate manner.
• Assist to assemble, evaluate, and analyze data for inclusion in research products.
• Generate laboratory reports describing the completion of research segments.
• Maintain laboratory supplies and equipment and ensure all laboratory safety standards are met.

• Must be a US Citizen able to obtain and maintain a Department of Interior PIV card (this can take up to 30 days from offer).
• Bachelor's degree in a science related field.
• Two (2) - Four (4) years of work-related experience with research, working on experiments from beginning to conclusion, genotyping and sequencing, etc.
• Ability and willingness to do some travel to support program tasks, including occasional attendance to professional society meetings workshops or travel to pick up and drop off samples.
• Familiar with a variety of biology concepts, practices, and procedures.

Work Where it Matters

Akima Systems Engineering (ASE), an Akima company, is not just another federal systems support contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At ASE, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, ASE provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, ASE delivers solutions in maritime IT, systems engineering, and integration across the Department of Defense and stands ready to help improve operational performance at a reasonable and sustainable cost.

As an ASE employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.