Bacterial Core Lead Scientist

Alakaina Family of Companies$90K — $120K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in a biological or life science and 7 years of relevant experience or Bachelor's Degree with 5 years of experience.
  • Expertise in HPLC-MS and animal manipulations.
  • Familiarity with in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assays and pharmacokinetic determinations.
  • Knowledge of animal study design and treatment protocol viability.
  • Experience with antibiotic determination methods from animal serum and tissues.
  • Ability to operate HPLC/Mass Spectrometer and develop relevant assays.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze data using computer software and produce graphical representations.
  • Prepare and present research findings at lab and scientific meetings.
  • Manage the maintenance and order of microscopy systems.
  • Ensure compliance with safety and inspection protocols in BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs.
  • Conduct animal health exams and execute small-animal studies under IACUC protocols.
  • Conduct ELISAs and process flow cytometry samples for research.
  • Maintain laboratory management operations including safety and chemical inventories.

Benefits

  • 401K plan with company match.
  • Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance.
  • Tuition reimbursement.
  • Paid time off and 11 paid holidays.
Full Job Description
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for a Bacterial Core Lead Scientist to support our government customer located in Frederick, MD at Fort Detrick.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Use computer to analyze data and prepare graphs, do statistics, write lab notes and reports.
  • Complete quarterly reports and annual progress reports per investigator
  • Present 2 research findings/presentations at lab meetings and approximately 23 lab meetings per year, and if required, attend approximately 2 scientific meetings or symposia (CONUS or OCONUS).
  • Attend twelve (12) division meetings per year and give one (1) presentation per investigator
  • Prepare one 1st author manuscript for publication per year
  • Prepare approximately 2 supporting author scientific papers for publication.
  • In charge of maintenance of ~6 microscope systems in laboratories.
  • Responsible for ordering microscopy systems and parts.
  • Prepare BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs for safety, bio-surety and CDC inspections.
  • Plan and perform in vitro minimum inhibition concentration (mic) testing or potential therapeutic compounds against tier 1 bacteria. We currently utilize 30-strain diversity sets of bacillus anthracis (anthrax), yersinia pestis (plague), francisella tularensis (tularemia), burkholderia mallei (glanders), and burkholderia pseudomallei (meliodosis), testing over 72 compounds per year against all 30 strains, in vitro.
  • Plan and participate in mouse, rat, and rabbit studies, which include preparation of antibiotics for administration, administering drugs and vaccines, orally and by intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration. In addition, collect animal body fluids and remove tissues with all small-animal studies executed. Upon execution of experiment all contractors will perform animal health exams to ensure study remains in compliance with IACUC approved protocols.
  • Participate in weekly lab meetings and assist in development and design with current and future in vitro and in vivo work. May be requested to present posters at 1 scientific conferences which may require work to be performed outside normal business hours.
  • Plan and participate in small-animal BSL-2 pharmacokinetics and toxicology studies; to include preparation of antibiotics for administration; administering drugs and vaccines, followed by blood and tissue collection of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics relationships and efficacy of optimized leads.
  • Support the in vivo pharmacology research program and contribute to the multidisciplinary research team to determine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics relationships and efficacy of optimized leads.
  • Assist in animal protocols working with bacterial pathogens.
  • Participate in testing and purifying b. Anthracis components for efficacy studies.
  • Write, plan and execute animal protocol.
  • Perform ELISAs.
  • Process flow cytometry samples
  • Test for endotoxin and perform endotoxin remediation when necessary.
  • Purify bacterial products from culture supernatants per year.
  • Conduct equipment inventory management twice a year in BSL-2 and BSL-3
  • Perform monthly laboratory management to include safety functions and chemical inventory.
  • Provide one (1) scientific support monthly report to include materials and methods, data and data analysis and should be updated monthly.
  • Maintain a GLP training folder and be compliant with all GLP regulations when applicable.
  • Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED DEGREE/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
  • Master's Degree in a biological or life science and seven (7) years of experience (preferred) or
  • Bachelor's degree and five (5) years' experience

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience in high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS).
  • Experience in animal manipulations.
  • Experience with in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay systems and be able to perform pharmacokinetic (PK) determinations on antibiotics from various animal species.
  • Possess knowledge of animal study design, including developing therapeutic treatment plans, dosing schedule, number of animals required, supplies required, and facilities needed if given a desired study endpoint. Possess some basic knowledge of animal physiology and be able to predict if client requested treatment protocols are viable.
  • Be familiar with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectroscopy (MS), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and other antibiotic determination methods from animal serum and tissues.
  • Have experience in operating an HPLC/Mass Spec instrument, to include development of qualitative and quantitative assays for various antibiotic classes.
  • Be able to prepare biological samples for assay of antibiotics and be able to prepare reagents and solvents for HPLC separations.

REQUIRED CITIZENSHIP AND CLEARANCE:
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Must pass NACI background check.
  • Must be willing to work in a BSL 3 laboratory.
  • Must be eligible to enroll in the BPRP and CS-PRP programs.


The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries. Eligible full-time employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 11 paid holidays.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans. We are proud to state that we do not illegally discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of any protected categories. If you are a person with a disability and you need an accommodation during the application process, please click here to request accommodation. We E-Verify all employees

"EOE, including Disability/Vets" OR "Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans"

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is comprised of industry-recognized government service firms designated as Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned and 8(a) certified businesses. The Family of Companies (FOCs) includes Ke`aki Technologies, Laulima Government Solutions, Kūpono Government Services, and Kāpili Services, Po`okela Solutions, Kīkaha Solutions, LLC, and Pololei Solutions, LLC. Alaka`ina Foundation activities principally benefit the youth of Hawaii through charitable efforts which includes providing innovative educational programs that combine leadership, science & technology, and environmental stewardship.

For additional information, please visit www.alakainafoundation.com

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