Research Scientist I - Virology

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance ! Chenega Professional & Technical Services, a Chenega Professional Services ’ company, is looking for a Research Scientist I – Virology to support the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).

The Research Scientist I – Virology provides advanced scientific and technical support to virology research programs focused on viral pathogenesis and evaluation of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, antibody-based therapeutics, and antiviral drugs. This role supports in vivo and in vitro studies, develops and applies advanced immunological and molecular biology assays, and operates in high-containment laboratory environments (BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4).

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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a mentor in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Coordinate and collaborate with scientists within the Division and Institute on in vivo and in vitro studies evaluating medical countermeasures against infectious diseases.
• Support approximately ten (10) small animal studies across BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories, including autonomous execution of downstream analyses.
• Perform assessments of viral replication using plaque assays and RT-qPCR; conduct transcriptomic analyses (spatial, single-cell, and/or bulk); evaluate blood chemistry; and measure viral antigens, antiviral antibodies, cytokines, and chemokines using Luminex and ELISA platforms.
• Design, implement, and maintain in vitro cell culture systems, including single-cell cultures and micro physiological systems such as organoids and organs-on-a-chip.
• Plan, manage, and execute complex in vitro studies to evaluate viral pathogenesis, replication, and medical countermeasure efficacy; review, organize, analyze, and report study data to the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Perform molecular biology techniques including PCR, qRT-PCR, cloning, transformations, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), flow cytometry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence assays (IFAs), high-content imaging, plaque assays, PRNTs, and related methodologies.
• Conduct routine and advanced cell culture activities, including cryopreservation, thawing of cell lines, transfection, protein and antibody purification, and viral stock production and characterization.
• Present protocols and research data at weekly virology meetings.
• Assess, manage, and maintain laboratory supplies in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories, including ordering through GFEBS and/or DMLSS systems.
• Perform technical literature reviews and assist in the preparation of proposals, technical reports, and peer-reviewed manuscripts; may present work at scientific meetings requiring CONUS or OCONUS travel.
• Ensure accountability, management, safeguarding, and storage of BSAT, animal tissue samples, and working stock samples, maintaining required records for FSAP-registered Principal Investigators.
• Assist with annual equipment inventory management in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories.
• Provide a monthly PI Technical Report to the TPOC no later than the last working day of each month.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of virology research operations

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biomedical science, microbiology, virology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five (5) years of post-degree laboratory experience in virology or related biomedical research.
• Demonstrated experience with immunological assays, including Luminex, ELISA, flow cytometry, and ELISPOT.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and using micro physiological systems for viral research.
• Ability to work in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Eligibility for and ability to maintain BPRP and CS-PRP enrollment in accordance with contract requirements and applicable regulations.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting antiviral vaccine and therapeutic development programs.
• Experience with transcriptomic analyses (single-cell, spatial, or bulk).
• Experience presenting scientific data at professional or scientific meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of virology, viral pathogenesis, and medical countermeasure evaluation.
• Proficiency in advanced molecular biology, immunology, and cell culture techniques.
• Ability to independently analyze complex scientific data and clearly communicate results.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to comply with strict biosafety, security, and regulatory requirements.