Bacteriology Research Scientist

Cherokee Federal•Frederick, MD

11h•$85,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Cherokee Nation Integrated Health (CNIH) is seeking a Research Scientist, Bacteriology to support basic and applied research focused on bacterial threats and the development of medical countermeasures at Fort Detrick, Maryland. The successful candidate will support the planning, execution, and analysis of complex in vitro and in vivo studies, including research involving bacterial pathogenesis, small-molecule and antibiotic discovery, animal models, and advanced biological systems such as organoids and microphysiological systems. This position requires a strong background in bacteriology, infectious disease research, animal physiology, or a related scientific discipline, with demonstrated experience designing, executing, and analyzing complex research studies. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary scientific teams and will be expected to conduct research in high-containment laboratory environments, maintain laboratory operations and documentation, and communicate scientific findings through technical reports, protocols, manuscripts, and presentations.

Requirements

Ph.D. or D.V.M. with at least two years of relevant research experience, or a Master’s degree with at least seven years of relevant research experience, in bacteriology, microbiology, infectious disease, small-molecule or antibiotic discovery, animal physiology, organoids/microphysiological systems, or a related scientific discipline.
Demonstrated experience designing, executing, and analyzing complex scientific studies, including in vitro and/or in vivo research.
Experience with bacterial pathogenesis, infectious disease research, antimicrobial research, drug discovery, or development of medical countermeasures.
Experience analyzing experimental data and communicating scientific findings through technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, and other scientific documentation.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, scientific writing, and oral communication skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary laboratory and research teams.
Exceptional attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation in a highly regulated research environment.
Must be able to obtain and maintain BPRP and CS-PRP enrollment in accordance with contract requirements and applicable regulations.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.
Requires an active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
Must be a US Citizen.

Nice To Haves

Experience with biological models such as tissue culture, organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, microphysiological systems, or laboratory animal models preferred.
Experience working in high-containment laboratory environments, including BSL-3 and/or ABSL-3, preferred.
Experience conducting research involving bacterial infectious disease models and medical countermeasure development.
Experience with small-molecule or antibiotic discovery and evaluation.
Experience with animal studies and development or implementation of animal care and use protocols.
Experience working with organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, or other microphysiological systems.
Experience working in BSL-3 and/or ABSL-3 environments.
Experience preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific presentations, study protocols, and technical reports

Responsibilities

Plan, manage, execute, and analyze basic and applied research studies supporting bacterial threat characterization, pathogenesis, and development of medical countermeasures.
Design and conduct complex in vitro studies using tissue culture, organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, microphysiological systems, and other relevant models to investigate infectious disease and therapeutic responses.
Support the planning and execution of in vivo studies using appropriate laboratory animal models and assist with development and implementation of study procedures and animal care and use protocols.
Conduct and support laboratory assays and research activities under applicable BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions, consistent with approved protocols, laboratory requirements, and applicable regulations.
Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data and contribute to the preparation of scientific results, contributing scientist reports, technical reports, and research summaries.
Support research focused on bacterial threats and medical countermeasures, including studies involving bacterial pathogenesis, antimicrobial activity, small-molecule discovery, and therapeutic development.
Prepare and contribute to animal protocols, study protocols, technical reports, manuscripts, and other scientific documentation; support the development of at least one peer-reviewed manuscript annually.
Review, organize, and analyze study documentation and data generated from research activities and maintain accurate and timely scientific records.
Support laboratory maintenance and sustainment activities, including appropriate accountability and documentation of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) and other regulated materials, in accordance with applicable requirements.
Present research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific discussions and provide a Bacteriology Research Scientist Monthly Report to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) by the last working day of each month.