OverviewChenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a
Chenega Professional Services' company, is looking for a
Automation and Assay Research Scientist to provide robotic liquid handling automation support for Therapeutics Discovery research efforts focused on current and emerging biological threats. The position supports basic and applied research programs through execution of high-throughput screening assays, enzymatic assays, molecular biology techniques, compound library screening, data analysis, assay development, and automation workflow development. The incumbent supports therapeutic screening programs evaluating antibacterial, antiviral, and antitoxin medical countermeasures while maintaining laboratory operations, robotic instrumentation, and associated laboratory equipment in support of biodefense and infectious disease research initiatives.
Responsibilities- Assist in the development, execution, and evaluation of high-throughput in vitro screening projects supporting antibacterial, antiviral, and antitoxin research programs.
- Support development of novel assays and methodologies for therapeutic discovery initiatives.
- Screen molecular compound libraries to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in support of medical countermeasure (MCM) development.
- Operate and maintain automated liquid handling platforms including Echo, Beckman Biomek, Perkin Elmer Janus, Viaflo, Viafill, Multi-drop Combi, HP dispensers, and related automation systems.
- Perform compound treatment and evaluation of therapeutic small molecules for enzymatic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitoxin activity.
- Conduct enzymatic assays, phenotypic cell-based assays, reporter assays, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays, plaque assays, and related screening methodologies.
- Develop and implement new automation workflows supporting high-throughput screening platforms and combination studies.
- Support scientific data analysis utilizing Spotfire, Genedata, and related analytical tools.
- Perform molecular biology techniques supporting development of novel cell-based and enzyme-based assays.
- Develop and support in vitro enzymatic assays involving kinases, proteases, and related biological targets.
- Assist with preparation and management of technical reports, manuscripts, standard operating procedures, and compound library documentation.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences, laboratory meetings, and internal technical discussions.
- Maintain robotic instrumentation, associated laboratory equipment, and laboratory operational readiness.
- Monitor laboratory supply inventories and coordinate procurement activities with division resources.
- Ensure assigned laboratory areas remain organized and compliant with applicable regulatory requirements.
- Prepare and submit monthly Therapeutic Screening Scientific Research Technical Progress Reports to the TPOC.
- Present research findings during monthly laboratory meetings and participate in weekly scientific discussions.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline.
- BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
- Experience consistent with a Scientist 1 labor category supporting scientific research, laboratory testing, data analysis, and technical reporting.
- Experience supporting high-throughput screening, laboratory automation, assay development, or therapeutic discovery programs.
- Experience operating automated liquid handling systems and laboratory instrumentation.
- Experience conducting biological assays, screening studies, or molecular biology procedures.
- Experience collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting research data.
- Experience preparing scientific reports, SOPs, technical documentation, manuscripts, or presentations.
- Ability to communicate scientific findings in written and oral formats.
- Ability to work in BSL-2 laboratory environments and support future work in higher containment environments when required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Biomedical Science, or a related scientific field.
- Experience supporting biodefense, infectious disease, therapeutic discovery, or medical countermeasure research programs.
- Experience operating Echo, Beckman Biomek, Perkin Elmer Janus, Viaflo, Viafill, Multi-drop Combi, HP dispensers, or similar automation platforms.
- Experience supporting compound management and molecular library screening activities.
- Experience utilizing Spotfire, Genedata, or comparable scientific analytics platforms.
- Experience developing automation workflows for high-throughput laboratory systems.
- Experience performing enzymatic assays, MIC assays, plaque assays, reporter assays, or cell-based screening assays.
- Experience preparing technical reports, SOPs, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.
- Experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences or technical meetings.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of laboratory automation, high-throughput screening, and therapeutic discovery methodologies.
- Knowledge of robotic liquid handling systems and automated laboratory workflows.
- Knowledge of antibacterial, antiviral, antitoxin, and medical countermeasure research concepts.
- Knowledge of enzymatic assays, cell-based assays, reporter systems, MIC testing, plaque assays, and compound screening procedures.
- Knowledge of molecular biology techniques and assay development methodologies.
- Knowledge of scientific data analysis platforms including Spotfire, Genedata, and related analytical tools.
- Knowledge of laboratory operations, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and quality practices.
- Ability to develop and implement automation workflows supporting scientific research programs.
- Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate scientific data.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, SOPs, scientific summaries, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Ability to maintain automated screening platforms and laboratory instrumentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary research environments.
- Strong analytical, technical writing, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
