Planetary Protection Intern (kbr)

Job Description

Title:

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! 

KBR is a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers; but we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to Belong, Connect, and Grow and we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive workplace that places an emphasis on valuing our people, delivering for our customers, working with integrity, empowering our employees, and working as a team of teams.

Planetary Protection Intern

Join us and work on projects to explore the planets and planetary bodies.  We are currently staffing for a Biology Intern to support a multi-Center NASA metagenomics project related to Planetary Protection, which is a biology-focused set of requirements for missions that visit other planets and moons looking for evidence of present or past biological life.

Job Description

This job includes developing and implementing controls and operations for spacecraft, instruments, and associated hardware at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and will involve collaborations with other NASA Centers.  You will work with Planetary Protection Engineers and other Engineers to help them test and implement new metagenomics procedures for characterizing the microorganisms found in cleanrooms and on spaceflight hardware. Under the guidance of others, you will also monitor, evaluate, and verify implementation of Project contamination control requirements and assist in troubleshooting and solving contamination problems.  It is important for you to be agile and adaptable as this can be a rapidly evolving environment, sometimes with short turnaround needed to respond to Project needs.  These activities will be primarily in-person, on site at GSFC (Greenbelt, Maryland) and often in a laboratory setting.  Being comfortable working in a lab environment, adhering to lab safety practices and being able to learn specialty skills in this area are important for this position. 

Requirements

Education:  Bachelor of Science (in progress)     

Preferred Discipline: Biology, Sophomore or higher

Required Skills & Experience:  This position requires relevant experience working in a biological laboratory, and compliance with associated safety protocols, plus a willingness and demonstrated ability to learn on the job.  We're looking for a Biology major, specifically microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, or cellular biology. Other subcategories of biology may also be considered. 

Equally important are good communication skills, including across disciplines and technical knowledge levels.  You will need to work well in a team, accept direction from more experienced scientists and engineers, and with engineers in various disciplines, as well technicians and management staff. 

Desirable Skills, Experience:  Microbiological lab experience, such as working with bacterial cultures, is highly desirable. Knowledge of molecular biology lab techniques and DNA sequencing are valuable.

LOCATION - This work will be performed in an on-site working environment. Attendance to the GSFC facility at Greenbelt, MD site.

Basic Compensation:

$21.92/hr. - $32.84/hr.

The offered rate will be based on contract affordability and the selected candidate's working location, knowledge, skills, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Experience and/or Education in lieu of these qualifications will be reviewed for applicability to meet these requirements.

KBR Benefits​

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule.  We support career advancement through professional training and development.​

Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture.  These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company.  That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. 

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.