Polysomnographic Technician at Knowesis, Inc. in silver spring, Maryland

Job Description:

Knowesis is currently seeking an experienced Polysomnographic Technician to support the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Biomedical Research Support contract to assume a lead role in various research and development activities related to sleep, PTSD, personality, stress, and psychological studies. *This position is contingent upon contract award.*

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist in conducting and scoring polysomnographic studies.


• Conduct all aspects of scientific research experiments according to individually reviewed protocols.


• Communicate and correspond with the lead investigator(s) regarding experimental procedures, study progress, concerns about the study, and changes in procedure on a regular and ongoing basis.


• Perform routine and specialized behavior tests and procedures on animals and humans.


• Generate, organize, copy, store, and archive day-to-day data files and summary files for the studies.


• Independently report and solve study problems (when feasible) that arise (e.g., equipment malfunctions), conferring with the lead investigator and/or COR when necessary.


• Maintain orderly storage of purchased supplies and materials necessary to conduct experiments and maintain the laboratories.


• Follow all SOPs for laboratory cleaning and maintenance daily, during workdays.


• Shall be physically able to handle laboratory equipment, chemicals, and/or hazardous biological material.


• Assist in the preparation of scientific and technical manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.; shall perform literature searches and literature reviews as part of protocol development and manuscript-writing process.
  
  
  
  • Shall be comfortable with written English and capable of writing in scientific prose.
  
  
  
  


• Assist in the preparation of any progress reports and/or final reports submitted to the entities who are serving as the research sponsors.


• Order and maintain inventories of laboratory supplies.


• Serve as a technical resource to the research team including being a subject matter expert for the Government and training other members of the research team, as appropriate.


• Follow established procedures for collection and/or processing and analyses of blood, urine, saliva, etc., for both rodents and humans as needed in research protocols.


• Assist with maintaining research administrative paperwork (i.e. Laboratory Notebooks, Research Protocols, Quarterly reports for a sponsor, IRB, and inventory).


• Collect and analyze data and present preliminary findings at military, national, and international scientific conferences.


• Serve as author or co-author on manuscripts resulting from data collection efforts, incorporating computer-generated displays into a written document.


• Assist other researchers in scientific investigations through discussion, site visits, and collaborative efforts and participate in branch and research team meetings and conferences.


• Collect, process and prepare data for computer entry as well as create computer database files for the purpose of analyses and archiving.


• Advise on the use of appropriate statistical and other analyses on collected data, perform standard and advanced statistics, using computer-based programs such as SPSS, SAS, etc.


• Help secure intellectual property through the timely submission of invention disclosures.


• Train, mentor, and lead Contractor and other junior research staff under this contract.


• Comply with occupational health and safety standards and other applicable regulations and guidelines, which may include medical surveillance.


• Provide scientific and technical support for the development, validation, and application of animal models (i.e. rodent, ferret, swine, non-human primate).


• Weigh and feed rodents daily during workdays, maintaining weights at prescribed levels and maintaining associated recording procedures to include any noted health problems.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Knowesis will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Experience

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience.


• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.


• Active registry certification for the profession.


• Possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in multiple Behavioral Biology research domains, including but not limited to sleep, PTSD, personality, combat stress, psychological resilience, and psychological distress, to advise and guide leadership and branch chiefs in the development of strategic research efforts and program.


• Possess the ability to appropriately handle rodents and other laboratory species requiring manual dexterity, as well as the ability to prepare rodent behavioral data in a variety of graphical formats.


• Possess the ability to work with computer-controlled and specialized behavioral interface equipment and custom-written behavioral assessment software.


• Be able to function effectively as a leader of an interdisciplinary team composed of researchers from a variety of backgrounds/institutions including WRAIR, MRMC, NIH, various universities, etc.


• Must be proficient in software such as Word, Excel, SigmaPlot, and/or other relevant tools and software.


• Must possess an understanding of basic descriptive statistics.


• Must possess the ability to engage in and oversee multiple tasks simultaneously and engage professionally with other Institute staff.


• Must be skilled in presentation techniques including design, construction, and public speaking skills.

Education

• Bachelors or better

See job description