OverviewChenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a
Chenega Professional Services' company, is looking for a
Bacteriology Research Scientist to conduct and support basic and applied research on specified bacterial threats in support of biodefense and infectious disease programs. The position supports planning and execution of scientific studies, bacterial assays, animal procedures, data collection and analysis, laboratory maintenance, technical reporting, manuscript development, and complex in vivo and in vitro research activities. The incumbent supports studies focused on bacterial pathogenesis and development of medical countermeasures against plague, tularemia, melioidosis, glanders, anthrax, and related bacterial threats. This role requires demonstrated experience designing, executing, and analyzing complex studies, including moderate-throughput screening assays and microscopy, and requires work in BSL-3 laboratories with applicable BPRP and CS-PRP enrollment requirements.
Responsibilities- Assist in planning, managing, and executing complex in vivo studies using various animal models of infectious diseases. These studies will focus on the bacterial pathogenesis of and development of medical countermeasures against the diseases plague, tularemia, melioidosis, glanders, and anthrax. In these types of studies, extreme attention to detail while working under high-containment conditions is essential.
- Perform animal manipulations to include but not limited to observations, injections, blood draws, and euthanasia on laboratory animals under ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 conditions.
- Collate, analyze, and draft contributing scientist reports on clinical readout of disease and bacterial burden.
- Draft up to seven small animal protocols, study protocols, and/or technical reports annually.
- Assist in drafting at least one peer-reviewed manuscript annually.
- Review, organize, and analyze study paperwork and data generated for at least three in vivo studies per year.
- Work in a BSL-3 laboratory performing in vitro assays (i.e. bacterial propagation, bacterial burden enumeration, and PCR) in support of the funded research portfolio. Bacteria may include, but are not limited to Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Bacillus anthracis, Coxiella burnetii, Burkholderia pseudomallei, and Burkholderia mallei.
- Assist in managing, designing, and executing complex in vitro screening assays that will monitor parameters such as bacterial replications, bacterial death, mammalian cell-bacterial interactions, etc.
- Perform and assist managing routine laboratory maintenance and sustainment activities in both BSL-2 and BSL-3 safety levels.
- Maintain accountability of all BSAT and IAT, ensure records are up to date and timely communicated to the FSAP-registered PI.
- Maintain all laboratory data generated.
- Review relevant literature monthly. May assist in the preparation standard operating procedures. The Contractor may be expected to present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require CONUS or OCONUS travel. Contractor shall present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
- Provide 1 Bacteriology Staff Scientist monthly report to the TPOC by the last working day of the month. Report will include materials and methods, data and data analysis and should be updated monthly.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Ph.D. in Bacteriology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biology, Biomedical Science, or a similar field of research; OR M.S. degree in a related scientific discipline with seven (7) years of relevant experience.
- Minimum of two (2) years of relevant research experience in bacteriology, molecular biology, or a similar field of research.
- CS-PRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
- BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience designing, executing, and analyzing all stages of complex scientific studies.
- Experience performing or supporting moderate-throughput screening assays and microscopy.
- Experience performing bacterial assays, animal procedures, data collection, data analysis, and research documentation.
- Experience assisting with manuscript development, technical reports, study protocols, and scientific documentation.
- Ability to work in BSL-3 laboratories and handle controlled substances.
- Ability to obtain and maintain CS-PRP enrollment in accordance with contract requirements and applicable regulations.
- Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment in accordance with contract requirements and applicable regulations.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working under high-containment conditions, including BSL-3 and ABSL-3 environments.
- Experience supporting infectious disease, biodefense, bacteriology, animal model, or medical countermeasure research programs.
- Experience with bacterial pathogenesis studies involving plague, tularemia, melioidosis, glanders, anthrax, or related bacterial threats.
- Experience performing in vitro bacterial assays, bacterial propagation, bacterial burden enumeration, PCR, and complex screening assays.
- Experience supporting in vivo animal studies, animal manipulations, and laboratory animal research protocols.
- Experience preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, scientific presentations, and standard operating procedures.
- Experience maintaining BSAT/IAT accountability records and supporting laboratory compliance activities.
- Experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences or technical forums.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of bacteriology, molecular biology, microbiology, infectious disease research, and bacterial pathogenesis research methodologies.
- Knowledge of in vivo animal models of infectious disease and medical countermeasure research.
- Knowledge of in vitro bacterial assays, bacterial propagation, bacterial burden enumeration, PCR, microscopy, and moderate-throughput screening assays.
- Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-2, and ABSL-3 laboratory operations, practices, and compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of BSAT/IAT accountability, laboratory data management, scientific recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
- Ability to assist in planning, managing, executing, and analyzing complex scientific studies.
- Ability to perform animal manipulations and support infectious disease animal model studies under applicable containment conditions.
- Ability to collate, analyze, organize, and maintain scientific data and study documentation.
- Ability to draft technical reports, study protocols, small animal protocols, manuscripts, SOPs, and monthly research reports.
- Ability to review scientific literature and apply findings to research planning and execution.
- Ability to communicate research findings in written and oral formats to internal and external audiences.
- Strong analytical, organizational, critical-thinking, technical writing, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific research teams
