ARPA-H Biomedical Engineer: Whole Eye Transplantation Technical Advisor
ECS Corporate Services

ECS is seeking a ARPA-H Whole Eye Transplantation Technical Advisor to work in our Washington, DC (Hybrid) office. Please Note: This position is contingent upon [contract award OR additional funding].

Job Description:

ARPA-H Whole Eye Transplantation Technical Advisor

Are you a passionate and innovative biomedical scientist with expertise in ocular regenerative medicine, ophthalmic treatments, and/or organ transplantation?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) recently launched the Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program to make whole eye transplantation a reality for the recovery of vision loss in patients with total blindness from retinal and optic nerve disease. ARPA-H anticipates leveraging the latest advancements and technologies in donor eye viability, optic nerve reattachment, repair and regeneration, reattachment microsurgery, and functional assessments of vision to achieve this goal. The THEA program is broken down into three technical areas: tissue harvest and preservation (TA1), optic nerve reattachment and repair (TA2), and surgery, post-op care and assessment (TA3). High-level summaries of each THEA technical area are provided below:

TA1, Tissue Harvest and Preservation: Maintaining viability of the donor eye and the optic nerve between donor organ harvest and transplantation in the recipient. Solutions in tissue preservation may include but are not limited to bioreactors or kits for perfusion, or chemical/physiological methods for maintaining whole eye tissue viability for > 48 hours.

TA2, Optic Nerve Reattachment and Repair: Optic nerve repair requires supplementation with materials, growth factors, stem cells, and/or a variety of other factors to re-establish signal transmission to the brain via the optic nerve. Solutions in the field of optic nerve repair may include but are not limited to biomaterials, nerve wraps, physical structures for optic nerve repair, methods for neuroprotection and neuroenhancement, stem cell-based therapies and electrical stimulation for nerve regrowth.

TA3, Surgery, Post-Op Care, and Assessment: Several microsurgical procedures must be developed to support the reattachment of vasculature, musculature, and peripheral nerves in animal models, cadaveric models and ultimately in humans. This will involve taking successful outcomes from TA2 and implementing the surgical requirements of the advancements made in optic nerve repair strategies from TA2 performers. Post-op care involving strategies/therapies to mitigate immune reactions and/or inflammation are vital to surgical success.

• What you will do:
  • Provide technical advisory support to the Program Manager responsible for managing the THEA Program.
  • Provide technical input and support during the development of program reports, presentations, and other materials.
  • Participate in program meetings and events, providing technical expertise and guidance as needed.
  • Conduct technical assessments of the program's progress, identifying potential technical risks and providing recommendations for mitigation strategies.
• Stay current with scientific advancements:
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest scientific and technical developments in the field of whole eye transplantation and related areas, and provide recommendations for incorporating new technologies and techniques into the program.
  • Identify and propose emerging methodologies and technologies that could enhance the program's progress.
  • Participate in scientific discussions and presentations, contributing your expertise to the program's overall knowledge base.
• Collaborate effectively within a diverse team:
  • Build strong relationships with the Program Manager, Performers, and other technical advisors involved in the program.
  • Collaborate with external stakeholders, including industry partners, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies, to advance the program's technical objectives.
  • Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Actively participate in brainstorming sessions and problem-solving exercises to drive the program forward.

Required Skills:

Who you are:

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in biology or a closely-related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience acting in a technical role in a relevant field of research (e.g. ocular regenerative medicine, ophthalmic treatments, organ transplantation, and/or medical device development).
• Strong understanding of the "ARPA Model" used by ARPA-H and DARPA to manage transformative federal research programs.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and write scientific reports.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic and a passion for scientific discovery.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required.

ECS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. ECS promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.

ECS is a leading mid-sized provider of technology services to the United States Federal Government. We are focused on people, values and purpose. Every day, our 3800+ employees focus on providing their technical talent to support the Federal Agencies and Departments of the US Government to serve, protect and defend the American People.

General Description of Benefits

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