Molecular Virology Research Scientist

Chenega Services & Federal Solutions•Ft Detrick, MD

2d•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is seeking a Molecular Virology Research Scientist to support research focused on discovering and developing medical countermeasures against viral threats of military importance. The work involves high-containment laboratory operations in BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 environments, and requires knowledge of FDA-related research requirements, including GLP, GMP, GCP, non-clinical and clinical research, pivotal animal studies, and FDA Animal Rule-related activities. The scientist will assist with research project design and development, oversee approved research activities, support animal protocol preparation, conduct immunological assays, analyze study data, prepare reports and manuscripts, contribute to funding proposals, support scientific presentations, and help maintain laboratory readiness and required CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment. The role also includes training and laboratory supervisory duties as needed, participation in containment working groups, SOP reviews, and support for inspections. Scientific meetings may require CONUS and OCONUS travel.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Science, Infectious Disease, or a related life sciences discipline.
Experience or demonstrated research capability consistent with a Scientist 1 labor category, including the ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and report research.
Knowledge of a relevant life sciences field.
Experience conducting or supporting virology, infectious disease, biodefense, medical countermeasure, or related biomedical research.
Experience supporting in vitro and/or in vivo research studies.
Experience preparing or contributing to scientific reports, publications, presentations, research documentation, or technical summaries.
Experience performing immunological assays such as ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry, PRNT, and immunohistochemistry.
Knowledge of FDA-related research requirements, including GLP, GMP, GCP, non-clinical and clinical research, pivotal animal studies, or FDA Animal Rule-related activities.
Ability to work in BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 environments as required.
Ability to work with controlled substances.
Ability to obtain and maintain CS-PRP enrollment.
Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment.
Successfully pass background and drug screening.
Good written and oral communication skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific research teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting medical countermeasure development for viral diseases of military importance.
Experience working in BSL-3 and/or BSL-4 laboratory environments.
Experience supporting ABSL-3 and/or ABSL-4 animal research studies.
Experience supporting FDA-regulated research, FDA Animal Rule studies, pivotal animal studies, or clinical product characterization efforts.
Experience assisting with animal protocol preparation for IACUC review and approval.
Experience preparing laboratories for Safety, Biosurety, CDC, or Department of the Army Inspector General inspections.
Experience preparing technical reports, manuscripts, grants, proposals, and sponsor-facing documentation.
Experience presenting research findings at scientific meetings or technical forums.
Experience developing or reviewing Virology Division SOPs.
Experience participating in laboratory containment working groups or supporting laboratory training activities.
Knowledge of molecular virology, infectious disease research, biodefense programs, and medical countermeasure development.
Knowledge of FDA non-clinical, clinical, pivotal animal study, GLP, GMP, GCP, and FDA Animal Rule-related research requirements.
Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 laboratory operations and high-containment research requirements.
Knowledge of immunological assay methods, including ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry, PRNT, and immunohistochemistry.
Knowledge of animal study support, animal protocol development, and IACUC submission processes.
Knowledge of laboratory inspection readiness, biosafety, biosurety, CDC inspection support, and Department of the Army Inspector General inspection preparation.
Ability to support research project design, study execution, data analysis, technical reporting, and follow-on study planning.
Ability to prepare technical reports, manuscripts, SOPs, grant materials, proposals, monthly reports, and scientific presentations.
Ability to share research findings with project team members and communicate findings in written and oral formats.

Responsibilities

Perform research to develop medical countermeasures to prevent and treat viral diseases important to the military, including in vitro work in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 containment and in vivo work in ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 containment.
Assist in designing and developing research projects and oversee approved projects, which may include up to ten small animal studies and up to five nonhuman primate studies per year.
Analyze study data, assist the PI with reports, and help plan follow-on studies.
Assist the PI with preparing animal protocols for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee submission and approval.
Perform immunological assays, including ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry, PRNT, and immunohistochemistry.
Help prepare BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories for Safety, Biosurety, CDC, and Department of the Army Inspector General inspections, at least four times per year.
Provide training, perform laboratory supervisor duties, and participate in laboratory containment working groups as needed to help ensure laboratories, personnel, and procedures meet applicable standards and regulations.
Assist the PI in pursuing funding from DTRA and other funding agencies in collaboration with the Government and USAMRIID, including preparing at least three grants and proposals per year for portfolio committee consideration.
Prepare technical project-status reports for funding agencies quarterly or as otherwise required by the department, division, and funding sponsor.
Author and submit at least one research manuscript per year to a relevant scientific journal.
Present work at approximately one to two scientific meetings per year as required; travel may include CONUS and OCONUS destinations.
Develop or conduct annual reviews of Virology Division SOPs as assigned.
Provide the TPOC with a PI Technical Report by the last working day of each month.
Perform other duties as assigned.