Molecular Virology Research Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance ! Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC. , a Chenega Professional Services ’ company, is looking for a Molecular Virology Research Scientist to support research focused on viral infection, pathogenesis, and the development and evaluation of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, antibody-based therapeutics, and drugs. The Molecular Virology Research Scientist will provide downstream support for studies of viral infection in animal systems and conduct immunogenicity assessments using techniques including Luminex, ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISPOT, and other immunological methods. The position will also design and implement in vitro cell culture and microphysiological systems, including organ tissue equivalents, organs-on-a-chip, and/or organoid systems, to evaluate viral replication, pathogenesis, and medical countermeasure development. The position works within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories, handles controlled substances, and serves as a BSL-3 and BSL-4 mentor. The role collaborates with scientists within the Division and Institute to advance the antiviral vaccine and therapeutic portfolio and requires maintaining CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment in accordance with applicable contract requirements and regulations. 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, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients.

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, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide downstream support to study viral infection in animal systems for evaluating pathogenesis and the protective efficacy of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, antibody-based therapeutics, and drugs. Perform hands-on research in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories and handle controlled substances as required.  
• Coordinate and collaborate with scientists within the Division and Institute on in vivo and in vitro studies to evaluate medical countermeasures against infectious diseases. Support approximately ten (10) small animal studies in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories by autonomously conducting downstream analysis, including assessment of viral replication, transcriptomic analysis, blood chemistry, viral antigen and/or antiviral antibody detection, and cytokine and chemokine analysis. Assist with the review, organization, and analysis of study data and report study data to the PI as required. 
• Perform immunogenicity studies assessing cellular and humoral immune responses using Luminex, ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISPOT, and other immunological techniques.
• Design and implement in vitro cell culture systems, including single cells and microphysiological systems, to evaluate viral replication in the context of pathogenesis and medical countermeasure development. Culture and maintain microphysiological systems, including organ tissue equivalents, organs-on-a-chip, and/or organoid systems, and assist in planning, managing, and executing complex in vitro studies using these systems.
• Design and perform basic and specialized molecular biology techniques including, but not limited to, PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA preparation and purification, cloning, transformations, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), flow cytometry, Western blot, IFAs, high-content imaging, plaque assays, PRNTs, and other molecular biology techniques and assays to support ongoing projects.
• Perform basic cell culture, oversee cryopreservation and thawing of cell lines, transfect cells to conduct protein and antibody purification, and produce and characterize viral stocks.
• Serve as a BSL-3 and BSL-4 mentor.
• Perform technical literature searches and assist in the preparation of at least one proposal, at least one technical report, and one peer-reviewed manuscript for publication each year. May be required to present work at approximately one Scientific Meeting per year, which may require CONUS or OCONUS travel.
• Present protocols and data generated at weekly virology meetings as required. 
• Assess and maintain laboratory supplies in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories. Ensure supplies are ordered or order supplies using GFEBS and/or DMLSS ordering systems.
• Be responsible for the accountability, management, safeguarding, and storage of BSAT, animal tissue samples, and working stock samples. Ensure current records are maintained and communicated to the FSAP-registered PI as required.
• Assist with the annual conduct of Equipment Inventory Management in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories.
• Provide the TPOC with a PI Technical Report NLT the last working day of each month.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with at least five (5) years of related laboratory post-degree experience in Biomedical Science, Microbiology, or Virology.
• Knowledge of a relevant life sciences field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and using microphysiological systems.
• 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 immunogenicity studies assessing cellular and humoral immune responses using Luminex, ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISPOT, and other immunological techniques.
• Ability to work in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories as required.
• Ability to work with controlled substances.
• CS-PRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the contract and all applicable regulations.
• BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the contract and all applicable regulations.
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting medical countermeasure development for viral diseases of military importance.
• Experience working in BSL-3 and/or BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Experience serving as a BSL-3 and/or BSL-4 mentor.
• Experience developing and using microphysiological systems, including organ tissue equivalents, organs-on-a-chip, and/or organoid systems.
• Experience performing molecular biology techniques including PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA preparation and purification, cloning, transformations, FISH, flow cytometry, Western blot, IFAs, high-content imaging, plaque assays, and PRNTs.
• 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, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of molecular virology, infectious disease research, biodefense programs, and medical countermeasure development.
• Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory operations and high-containment research requirements.
• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques including PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA preparation and purification, cloning, transformations, FISH, flow cytometry, Western blot, IFAs, high-content imaging, plaque assays, and PRNTs.
• Knowledge of immunological techniques including Luminex, ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISPOT, and related cellular and humoral immune-response methods.
• Knowledge of microphysiological systems, including organ tissue equivalents, organs-on-a-chip, and/or organoid systems.
• Ability to maintain laboratory supplies and equipment inventories and support the accountability, management, safeguarding, storage, and documentation of BSAT, animal tissue samples, and working stock samples.
• 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.
• 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.