Description

The Leidos Military and Veterans Health Solutions group currently has an opening for a Physiology and Nutrition Research Assistant to work within the Food Utilization and Energy Laboratory (FUEL) Research Team within the Warfighter Performance Department at the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, CA. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to improve the health and performance of warfighters and military personnel.

The Physiology and Nutrition Research Assistant will perform laboratory and/or field experimental work, undertake research projects in collaboration with government and contract principal investigators,

and make innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory and/or field experimental procedures. The primary responsibility for the Physiology and Nutrition Research Assistant is to conduct research studies with a focus on physiology and performance as it relates to improving operational performance of service members and improving rehabilitation of injured Warfighters in laboratory and field-based environments.

The Physiology and Nutrition Research Assistant is responsible for researching, developing theories, and devising methods to study Warfighter Performance in areas such as physiology, nutrition, psychology, and related areas. Duties include reviewing and analyzing data from research studies, developing reports and conclusions based on that data, making recommendations regarding areas of investigation needed in specific research program areas (extreme environmental physiology, tactical stress physiology, musculoskeletal injury risk and prevention, nutrition and metabolism), and creating products such as research protocols, presentations, and publications to accomplish specific research goals. The Physiology and Nutrition Research Assistant will develop products, solutions, and processes using basic principles, theories and concepts within the areas of exercise physiology, nutrition and metabolism, kinesiology, sleep and fatigue science.

The Physiology and Nutrition Research Assistant will communicate with peers, project leads, and the government customer to explain facts, basic analyses, processes, and practices related to Warfighter Performance research projects and related program efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Recruitment of active duty, wounded warrior, and civilian subjects for human subjects research protocols; conduct pre-screening and meetings to obtain informed consent per human-use approved principles

• Write human-use Institutional Review Board protocols for government research studies; seek appropriate approvals and monitor modifications and changes required

• Identify and assist with procurement of laboratory equipment; use and maintain laboratory equipment for research studies; create standard operating procedure documents for equipment

• Assist in performing inventory and keeping equipment secure

• Interact with and collect physiological, biological, cognitive, and health data from human subjects, abiding by human research protection regulations.

• Conduct experimental preparation, testing and data collection, and organization in field and laboratory settings

• Travel to various settings including field/operational settings and conferences, as needed for data collection, conference presentations, meetings, and other customer requirements

• Conduct data management and data analysis and use data and statistical analysis software

• Demonstrate database skills and have a background in technical/scientific writing in order to assist with generation of scientific and research documents

• Independently collect, process, analyze, and report on study data

• Collect, input, organize, and manage data from all laboratory testing instruments.

• Prepare abstracts, reports, presentations, and publications for military and academic medical and research communities

• Assist in the development and writing of funding opportunities (grants, proposals, etc.)

• Follow all established standing operating procedures

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required for the customer research mission

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nutrition, biology, physiology, exercise science, psychology, or a related scientific field from an accredited college or university.

• Two or more years of professional experience is required.

• Previous experience with laboratory equipment used for human subjects physiological data collection.

• Previous experience with dietary intake assessment and dietary analysis software.

• Understand usage and maintenance of equipment necessary to obtain and analyze data. Strength in troubleshooting and testing new equipment is desired.

• Strong technical ability to work with wearable and non-wearable biosensor technologies and software applications

• Solid background in human physiology research methodology. Ability to interact positively and in a professional manner within a research environment.

• Proven ability to read, comprehend, and discuss research materials.

• Excellent critical thinking with problem-solving skills and an ability to work cooperatively in a team setting. Flexibility in responding to changing demands, timelines, and priorities.

• Ability to work non-regular hours (e.g., nights and weekends) as needed for data collection.

• Ability to travel, up to 50% time, as needed for customer-directed requirements.

• Strong computer skills and experience with software such as MS Excel, Word, and other programs for the PC; able to operate and troubleshoot, as necessary, laboratory machinery that is computer controlled.

• Ability to work professionally with military service members and the ability to perform human subjects data collection from an active duty military population undergoing training and operations while not inhibiting or otherwise negatively impacting those training and operations procedures.

• US Citizenship required.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred

• Completion of dietetics internship or equivalent education and experience

• Experience working with a military population preferred

Naval Health West - NHW

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.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.