Sr. Research Associate, Microbiology (#1918)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a unique facility located at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Established in response to biodefense gaps identified after the Amerithrax attacks of 2001, NBACC has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006.

NBACC supports DHS and national biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization, and bioforensic analyses. It addresses critical scientific knowledge gaps regarding biological agents to protect the public and defend the nation against biological threats- whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. NBACC also provides federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and the protection of the U.S. bioeconomy.

NBACC is comprised of two centers:

• National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC): Conducts technical analyses to support federal law enforcement investigations.
• National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC): Conducts experiments and studies to gather data for understanding biological vulnerabilities and hazards.

Together, these centers serve as a national resource for assessing risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies, informing biodefense policy and response planning, and supporting the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs analysis of bacteriological samples utilizing standard techniques such as plating, Gram staining, colony counting, as well as phenotypic, biochemical, and/or genetic analyses.
• Serves as a member of a team in developing, validating, and maintaining methods for identifying and characterizing biological threat agents.
• Provides technical support to multiple bacteriology and aerobiology projects simultaneously.
• May support other research areas of NBACC with appropriate training to meet program requirements.
• Proactively identifies issues and recommends solutions to improve laboratory protocols, procedures, and experimental plans, and participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols to improve NBACC’s ability to serve its customers.
• Assists in developing high-quality draft protocols, task-specific procedures and SOPs with minimal supervision, maintaining records and supporting Principal Investigators during the writing of technical reports delivered to the NBACC laboratory directors.
• May act as a Technical Lead to coordinate day-to-day project logistics and scheduling, perform summary-level analyses of data and provide drafts of project administrative documents.
• Mentors/cross trains other technical staff on bacterial procedures and SOPs.
• May be appointed as a Lab Space Manager (LSM), and/or Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) designee.
• Willingness to adapt to new work assignments, and perform assignments outside area of expertise, while managing resources efficiently.
• Works on assignments requiring considerable judgment and initiative, while understanding the implications of work and making recommendations for solutions.
• Receives little instruction on daily work, general instructions on newly introduced assignments, and has the ability to mentor personnel within the group, while identifying and communicating promptly and with recommended solutions.
• Participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols including writing and updating NBACC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions and forms to improve NBACC’s ability to serve its customers.
• Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
• With minimal supervision, operates, maintains, and characterizes the performance of the equipment ensuring the reagents and supplies are maintained and used properly.
• Develops techniques, prepares samples and performs test according to appropriate SOPs.
• Serves as a member of a team in developing, validating, and maintaining methods for identifying and characterizing biological threat agents.
• Exhibits teamwork, clear communication, openness to ideas, and patience with colleagues.
• Demonstrates the ability to multitask, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks in a complex, high containment environment.
• Is a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintaining flexibility, adapting to change productively, learning new concepts, and using critical thinking to resolve complex technical problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other duties as assigned/authorized.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline and a minimum of 6 years of related experience or a Master’s degree and a minimum of 4 years of related experience.
  • Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered as substitution for the specific requirements outlined above.
• Must have experience with standard bacteriological methods including phenotypic, biochemical and/or molecular analysis of bacterial agents.
• Relevant experience in ANY of the following areas:
  • Techniques for managing workflows associated with animal tissue processing.
  • Preparation and optimization of PCR assays, including qPCR.
  • Design, optimization and validation of ELISA assays.
• Advanced scientific proficiency in laboratory functions. Possesses the ability to identify issues and recommend solutions to laboratory protocols, procedures, and experimental plans.
• Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
• Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination is desirable.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC’s management system (e.g., ISO).

SECURITY/ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
• Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program, and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• May be required to participate in NBACC’s alternative work and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.