OverviewChenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC, is seeking a
Bacteriology Research Scientist to conduct and support basic and applied research on bacterial threat agents in support of biodefense and infectious disease programs. The position supports planning, execution, and analysis of complex in vitro and in vivo studies involving bacterial pathogenesis, medical countermeasure development, organoid and micro physiological system research, laboratory animal models, and high-containment bacteriology research. The incumbent performs scientific studies, bacterial assays, animal procedures, data analysis, technical reporting, manuscript development, and laboratory operations while supporting research conducted in BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-2, and ABSL-3 environments.
Responsibilities- Assist in planning, managing, and executing complex in vitro studies utilizing organoids, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and other microphysiological systems that model infectious diseases.
- Support studies focused on bacterial pathogenesis and development of medical countermeasures against plague, tularemia, melioidosis, glanders, anthrax, and Q-fever.
- Conduct research activities under BSL-2 and BSL-3 containment conditions.
- Perform animal manipulations including observations, injections, blood collection, and euthanasia procedures involving laboratory animals, including non-human primates.
- Support research conducted in ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 environments.
- Collect, collate, analyze, and prepare scientific reports involving radiographs, clinical chemistry, hematology results, and other disease outcome measurements.
- Draft animal protocols, study protocols, and technical reports.
- Assist in preparation of peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts.
- Maintain GLP training records and comply with GLP requirements when applicable.
- Review, organize, analyze, and maintain study documentation and scientific data generated from multiple research studies.
- Perform in vitro bacteriology procedures including bacterial propagation, bacterial burden enumeration, and PCR assays.
- Conduct research involving bacterial pathogens including Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Bacillus anthracis, Coxiella burnetii, Burkholderia pseudomallei, and Burkholderia mallei.
- Assist in designing, managing, and executing co-infection studies involving multiple bacterial species or bacterial and viral pathogens.
- Support development of new research procedures and animal care and use protocols.
- Perform laboratory maintenance and sustainment activities in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories.
- Maintain accountability and documentation for Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) and Investigational Agent Toxins (IAT).
- Conduct quality reviews of raw scientific data and ensure compliance with good documentation practices.
- Review relevant scientific literature and support scientific program activities.
- Assist in development and revision of standard operating procedures.
- Present scientific findings in written and oral formats internally and externally.
- Support scientific conference presentations and related travel requirements.
- Prepare and submit monthly Bacteriology Research Scientist reports to the TPOC.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Ph.D. in Bacteriology, Microbiology, Biology, Animal Physiology, Biomedical Science, Infectious Disease, or a related scientific discipline; OR Master's degree with seven (7) years of relevant research experience.
- Typically requires qualifications consistent with a Scientist 1 labor category.
- Minimum two (2) years of research experience in bacteriology, animal physiology, organoids, microphysiological systems, infectious disease research, or a related scientific field.
- Demonstrated experience designing, executing, and analyzing complex scientific studies.
- Experience supporting research activities associated with FDA Animal Rule requirements.
- Experience supporting in vitro and in vivo infectious disease studies.
- Experience performing bacteriology assays, animal procedures, data collection, and scientific data analysis.
- Experience preparing technical reports, study protocols, scientific documentation, and manuscripts.
- Ability to work effectively in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments.
- Ability to work with controlled substances.
- Ability to obtain and maintain CS-PRP enrollment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting biodefense, infectious disease, bacterial pathogenesis, or medical countermeasure research programs.
- Experience working in BSL-3 and ABSL-3 containment environments.
- Experience utilizing organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, or microphysiological systems for infectious disease modeling.
- Experience supporting non-human primate research studies.
- Experience conducting bacterial propagation, bacterial burden studies, and PCR analyses.
- Experience supporting co-infection models involving bacterial and viral pathogens.
- Experience preparing animal protocols, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications.
- Experience supporting FDA Animal Rule-related studies.
- Experience presenting scientific findings at professional meetings and conferences.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of bacteriology, microbiology, infectious disease research, and bacterial pathogenesis.
- Knowledge of organoid systems, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and microphysiological disease modeling platforms.
- Knowledge of animal research methodologies and laboratory animal handling procedures.
- Knowledge of PCR, bacterial propagation, bacterial burden analyses, and microbiological laboratory techniques.
- Knowledge of FDA Animal Rule requirements, GLP standards, and scientific documentation practices.
- Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-2, and ABSL-3 laboratory operations and biosafety requirements.
- Ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and report scientific studies.
- Ability to collect, organize, interpret, and communicate scientific data.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, animal protocols, study protocols, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.
- Ability to perform quality reviews and maintain accurate scientific documentation.
- Ability to support multidisciplinary research programs and collaborate with scientific teams.
- Strong analytical, technical writing, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a high-containment research environment.
