Research Scientist III

Description

Position:
Research Scientist III

Location:

Natick, MA

The Leidos Defense Sector is seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to join our team in Natick, MA supporting the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC‑SC). This role offers an exceptional opportunity to apply your scientific expertise in support of the U.S. Army's mission to advance food protection, innovative packaging, and soldier sustainment technologies.

• Spectral Imaging & Contamination Detection
  • Collaborate with the Food Protection and Innovative Packaging team to identify potential contamination on diverse surfaces using spectral imaging technologies.
  • Conduct inoculation trials, perform efficacy studies, generate spectral images, and interpret imaging data to validate pathogen reduction treatments.
  • Analyze spectral signatures to support contamination detection and quality assessment.
• Food Quality & Degradation Studies
  • Support spectral imaging research on operational ration components, fresh produce, and other food items.
  • Correlate imaging results with indicators of product quality, freshness, and degradation.
• Pathogen Reduction & Treatment Validation
  • Design and execute bacterial and viral reduction studies using sanitizers, UVC, and combinations of multiple treatment methods.
  • Perform pathogen propagation, data collection/analysis, and determine next step experimental directions based on results.

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or a related technical discipline and 4+ years of relevant experience (Additional experience, training, or certifications may substitute for degree requirements.)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government Common Access Card (CAC)
• Demonstrated experience with spectral or microscopy imaging and data analysis
• Hands‑on experience with bacterial and viral propagation, enumeration, and culturing
• Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Graph Pad, SAS, or equivalent
• Experience generating, analyzing, and interpreting benchtop spectral imaging data
• Prior work in a BSL2 laboratory, including safe handling and disposal of pathogenic organisms
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks
• Excellent analytical, technical, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

• Master's degree in Microbiology or a related technical field with 2+ years of relevant experience
• Experience working with military food systems or commodities
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex scientific challenges

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:
January 15, 2026

For U.S. Positions:
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.

Pay Range: $87,100.00 - $

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at

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