Senior Scientist — Optical Radiation Bioeffects & Safety

Job Overview

AV is hiring a team to support the ORBS (Research Support for Optical Radiation Bioeffects and Safety) contract located at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), San Antonio, Texas. The program focuses on advanced human‑relevant cellular models to understand bioeffects from high energy laser and nuclear flash exposures, and requires independent self‑starters with strong organizational, communication and collaborative skills. The primary location is on‑site JBSA with expected start dates post‑award in October 2026.

Ideal candidate: Hands‑on expertise in mammalian cell culture, experimental execution, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Responsibilities: Perform assays including next‑generation sequencing library preparation, microscopy, cytokine/inflammatory analysis, and other cellular assays.

Ideal candidate: Experience analyzing bioeffects data from laser exposure and wounding using advanced cellular models.
Responsibilities: In vitro laboratory research collaborating with the team on library preparations, barrier integrity assessments, cell viability tests, DNA/RNA extractions, and other in‑vitro assays.

Ideal candidate: Skilled in lab operations, project tracking, inventory and equipment management.
Responsibilities: Support scientists and technicians, ensuring smooth project execution and accurate documentation.

Ideal candidate: Experience overseeing vivarium operations, coordinating animal studies, inventory and scheduling.
Responsibilities: Support scientists, veterinarians and technicians, ensure protocol adherence, regulatory compliance and documentation.

Ideal candidate: Ability to design and execute animal exposure studies, perform ocular assessments, analyze data, and contribute to publications and technical reports.

Ideal candidate: Design and execute animal exposure studies, detailed ocular assessments, data analysis, and publication support.

Ideal candidate: Skills in design and evaluation of protective technologies, data‑driven assessments, transition of LEP concepts.
Responsibilities: Support documentation and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Ideal candidate: Creative problem‑solving and engineering skills to design, test and operate lab test infrastructure.
Responsibilities: Develop and maintain test infrastructure integrating COTS and custom hardware, software, data acquisition; support planning, execution and post‑test analysis.

Ideal candidate: Engineering expertise to develop EO solutions for critical laboratory testing.
Responsibilities: Maintain and operate optical characterization equipment, establish advanced laser and optical measurement techniques, design experiments for laser alignment and characterization.

AV offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

AV is an Equal‑Employment-Opportunity Employer and welcomes qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other protected characteristics.

This position requires access to information subject to ITAR and/or EAR compliance. Applicants must provide documentation to verify U.S. person status. Some positions may require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.