Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Associate Scientist – Biological Materials and Processing
AeroVironment isseekinga highly motivatedAssociate Scientistto join the Biological Materials and Processing Research Team at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. The successful candidate will support a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers conducting research focused on the development of novel biomaterials and biosynthetic approaches for Air Force-relevant applications.
The Associate Scientist will work under the direction of experienced scientists and engineers and will contribute to laboratory research involving molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, protein characterization, and biomaterials processing. The ideal candidate will have aBachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field and a strong interest in developing practical laboratory and research skills.
This positionprovidesan opportunity to work collaboratively with Materials Scientists, Engineers, Bioinformaticians, Chemists, and Microbiologists while gaining experience with a variety of research techniques and analytical methods. As projects evolve, the Associate Scientist may have opportunities to expand their technical knowledge and contribute toadditionalbiomaterials research activities.
Support laboratory research activities related to the identification, characterization, and evaluation of genes, proteins, and biological materials.
Assistwith the expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins and peptides using established laboratory techniques, including affinity chromatography.
Assistwith the characterization and evaluation of materials using laboratory analytical techniques and instrumentation, including DMA, TGA, DSC, and microscopy, asappropriate.
Maintainaccurate, organized, and thorough laboratory records, including experimental procedures, observations, measurements, and results.
Communicate research methods, observations, and results to team members through written documentation, informal discussions, and presentations.
Maintain laboratory equipment, work areas, samples, and research materialsin accordance withestablished procedures.
Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
Academic, laboratory, internship, or research experience with molecular biology and biochemical techniques.
Familiarity with productivity software such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace for email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, file sharing, and virtual collaboration.
Research or laboratory experience involving molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, protein science, or biomaterials.
Familiarity with microscopy techniques, including light microscopy, confocal microscopy, or scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Familiarity with thermal and mechanical characterization techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This position involves working primarily in a laboratoryandresearch environment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The employee will work with biological materials, laboratory equipment, analytical instrumentation, and computer-based research and documentation systems. The position requires adherence to applicable laboratory safety procedures, security requirements, and organizational policies.
The Associate Scientist will work under established procedures and the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers while progressively developing the knowledge and skills necessary to perform increasingly complex research activities.
Clearance Level
No Clearance
The salary range for this role is:
$69,500 - $106,000
AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
ITAR Requirement:
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
About AV:
AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
U.S. Citizenship required