Molecular Virology Research Scientist

Chenega Corporation•Frederick, MD

About The Position

Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services company, is seeking a Molecular Virology Research Scientist to support research into the discovery and development of medical countermeasures against viral threats of military importance. The role involves high-containment research in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories and ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 animal environments. It requires working 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 support research project design and execution, animal protocol preparation, immunological assays, study-data analysis, technical reporting, manuscript preparation, and scientific presentations. The role also includes laboratory inspection-readiness and training support, participation in containment working groups as needed, and maintaining required CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment. Scientific meetings may require CONUS and OCONUS travel. The company describes a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, teamwork, performance recognition, and promotion opportunities. The estimated salary range is USD $85,000 to $100,000 per year.

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 research, 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.
Knowledge of molecular virology, infectious disease research, biodefense programs, and medical countermeasure development.
Knowledge of high-containment laboratory operations and research requirements.
Knowledge of animal study support, animal protocol development, and IACUC submission processes.
Knowledge of laboratory inspection readiness, biosafety, biosurety, and 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.
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.

Responsibilities

Conduct research to develop medical countermeasures to prevent and treat viral diseases of military importance, including hands-on 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 research, which may include up to ten small-animal studies and five nonhuman-primate studies per year.
Analyze study data, assist the PI with reports, and help plan subsequent studies.
Assist the PI in 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, Bio-surety, 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, Government, and USAMRIID in pursuing DTRA and other funding; help prepare at least three grants and proposals per year for consideration by the institute’s portfolio management committee or equivalent.
Prepare project-status technical reports for funding agencies quarterly or according to department, division, and sponsor reporting requirements.
Author research manuscripts and submit at least one per year to relevant scientific journals.
Present research at scientific meetings as required, approximately one to two times per year; 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.