Palmer Research Associate

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If this sounds like an environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

In accordance with overall technical direction, guidance, and protocols provided by grantees, subcontractors, and the National Science Foundation, the Research Associate position supports a variety of scientific research projects in the physical and astrophysical sciences at remote Antarctic field stations, works with advanced scientific instrumentation, assists in the collection of data, and carries out research protocols for NSF grantees.  

***This position requires deployment to Antarctica and has a contract length of 8 months from approximately March to October (Austral Winter).**  

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.

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:

• Maintains, trouble shoots, and repairs a variety of equipment used in the long-term monitoring of physical phenomena including (but not limited to) UV spectroradiometers, GPS receivers, VLF radio receivers, neutron and radio-nuclide detectors, seismometers, magnetometers, photometers, interferometers, air sampling units, and other instruments.

• Collects, archives, and transmits data and status reports to project researchers.

• Collects and prepares samples for shipment, maintains inventory of flasks and works with logistics department to ensure adequate flask inventory for the next season.

• Regularly employs ingenuity and creativity to develop new technical solutions and systems in order to achieve functional objectives.

• Uses digital and analog electronic equipment to diagnose and repair instruments and computer hardware failures.

• Supports Grantees by ensuring timely problem resolution, minimizing data collection interruptions, and notifying grantees of outages, issues, and maintenance schedules.

• Maintains appropriate project logbooks, documents and email records. Updates standard operating procedures.

• Administers, operates, and maintains computer-based data acquisition systems. Coordinates with the IT department on computer configurations and networking topology issues such as firewall access and IP addresses.

• Receives and inventories capital equipment, instruments, materials, and supplies. Maintains accurate inventory of spare parts for equipment and instruments, and prepares resupply lists. 

• Assists with life-cycle management and informs grantees or staff on replacement timelines.

• Occasionally conducts briefings on research and tours of facilities for distinguished visitors. 

• Calibrates and repairs meteorological, thermosalinograph, and tide gauge instrumentation. Collects and distributes encoded synoptic weather reports in conformance with WMO standards.

• Operates and maintains a weather satellite tracking antenna. Knowledge of low-earth-orbit (LEO) and polar orbit satellite systems, and multi-spectral image processing. Demonstrates understanding of visible, infrared, and microwave imagery products.

• Provides real-time imagery, remote-sensing support, and other data as needed for logistical and operational concerns as requested by research vessel or operations personnel.

• Maintains, operates, and repairs meterological equipment and weather towers, including programming MATLAB, python, Access, SQL and powershell scripts to integrate data with network.

• Manual labor as needed including excavating buried experiments and station maintenance.

• Community duties which will include washing dishes and cleaning common areas.

• Participation on an Emergency Response Team (ERT) is highly recommended. Examples are the Fire Brigade, Trauma Team and Search and Rescue.

• Performs other duties as required. 

What Sets You Apart:

• Requires deep understanding of and ability to apply principles, theories, and concepts of technical domain and has broad understanding of other related specialty areas.

• Typically requires BS and 4+ years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2 – 6 years of prior relevant experience.

• Must be able to work independently to achieve day-to-day objectives with significant impact on operational results or project deliverables.

• Good organizational and time management skills 

• Fluency with networking topics and file transfer tools required. Administrator familiarity for Macintosh and Linux/Unix platforms required. 

You May Also Have:

• Master’s degree or higher in Physics, or other engineering discipline is preferred. 

• A background in an academic research environment providing direct support to science projects is preferred.

• Basic soldering, familiarity with circuits and radio transmission (UHF, VHF) is preferred.

• Experience in general computer repair including IBM-PC, Macintosh and network equipment preferred.

• Experience with Powershell, Python, Access, and SQL databases; RA should be able to write and repair scripts for automation and reporting, including visualizations. 

Original Posting Date:

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:

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.