Molecular Virology Lead - Scientist III

Chenega Corporation•Frederick, MD

7d•$105,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance! Chenega Professional and Technical Services, a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for a Molecular Virology Lead Scientist (Scientist III) to support the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). The contractor will serve as a lead scientist within the Molecular Virology Branch, primarily assisting with research aimed at the discovery and development of medical countermeasures targeting viruses that pose a threat to the military and require high containment. Focus will be on work that requires compliance with and a working knowledge of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP), Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), or Good Clinical Practices (cGCP). The Contractor will work in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories; therefore, they must hold and maintain BPRP status, IAW the provisions of this contract and applicable regulations. The Contractor will work with controlled substances and therefore must hold and maintain CS-PRP status, IAW the provisions of this contract and applicable regulations. The Contractor will maintain a GLP training file and be skilled in duties required of a study director. Laboratory work will support Phase1, Phase 2, Phase 3, or FDA Animal Rule studies, as well as characterization of medical products manufactured for clinical research. Skills and knowledge include knowledge and application of current FDA non-clinical, clinical, and pivotal animal study research. Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, innovative solutions for our clients.

Requirements

Active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
PhD degree in virology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences. Master’s degree with extensive experience may be considered.
Minimum of five (5) years of post-degree laboratory research experience in virology, infectious diseases, or related biomedical research.
Eligibility for and ability to maintain Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and Chemical Surety Personnel Reliability Program (CS-PRP) enrollment.
Demonstrated experience performing immunological and molecular assays including ELISA, Western blot, flow cytometry, plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT), and related techniques.
Experience supporting in vivo animal studies, including small animal models; experience with non-human primate studies preferred.
Experience conducting laboratory research in high-containment environments including BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories; ability to work in BSL-4 laboratories.
Experience analyzing experimental data and assisting in preparation of technical reports and scientific manuscripts.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in high-containment laboratory environments, including BSL-3 or BSL-4 laboratories.
Experience supporting small animal and non-human primate studies related to infectious diseases.
Experience contributing to grant proposals, technical reports, and peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Experience presenting research findings at scientific meetings or professional conferences.
Strong knowledge of virology, viral pathogenesis, and development of medical countermeasures.
Proficiency in immunological and molecular biology techniques including ELISA, PRNT, flow cytometry, Western blot, and related assays.
Ability to analyze and interpret complex scientific data and communicate results clearly in written and oral formats.
Ability to work safely and effectively in high-containment laboratory environments including BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories.
Ability to comply with biosafety, biosecurity, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Perform research aimed at the development of medical countermeasures to prevent and treat viral diseases of importance to the military. Research includes performing hands-on in vitro work in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment; and hands-on in vivo work in ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 containment.
Assist in the design and development of research projects. Oversee the execution of approved research projects including both small animal and nonhuman primate studies. The employee will analyze the data from these studies, assist the PI in generation of reports, and assist in planning the next studies.
Assist the PI in the writing of animal protocols for submission and approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Perform immunological assays to characterize responses to infection including, but not limited to, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), Western Blot, flow cytometry, plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Assist in the preparation of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 labs for Safety, Bio-surety, CDC, and Department of Army Inspector General inspections. Use laboratory experience and expertise to provide training, perform laboratory supervisor duties and participate in laboratory containment working group(s) as needed to help ensure the labs, lab personnel, and procedures performed in the laboratory meet the applicable standards and regulations.
Assist PI in pursuit of funding from DTRA and other funding agencies in collaboration with the Government and USAMRIID to further the research portfolio of the Division and USAMRIID. The employee will assist with the preparation of grants and proposals for prospective funding opportunities per year to the institute’s portfolio management committee or equivalent for consideration.
The employee will prepare technical reports describing the status of projects to appropriate funding agencies. Frequency of delivery is quarterly or as defined by the reporting requirements of the department, division and funding sponsor.
Author manuscripts related to research findings and submit for publication in relevant scientific journals at least one manuscript per year. The employee may be required to present work at Scientific Meetings which may require CONUS and OCONUS travel.
Develop or conduct annual reviews of SOPs for the Virology Division as assigned.
Provide the TPOC a PI Technical Report NLT the last working day of each month.
Other duties as assigned.