OverviewMolecular Virology Lead Scientist to conduct basic and applied research supporting the discovery and development of medical countermeasures against emerging viral threats of military importance. The position supports research focused on molecular virology, viral pathogenesis, host responses to viral infection, immunology, and medical countermeasure development. The incumbent conducts and supports in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo studies, analyzes complex host-virus interactions, develops and validates laboratory assays, authors scientific publications and funding proposals, mentors laboratory personnel, and supports research activities conducted in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
Responsibilities- Serve as a Lead Scientist supporting molecular virology and medical countermeasure research programs.
- Conduct research on emerging viruses, particularly viruses within the Bunyavirales Order, in BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment laboratories.
- Support research focused on viral pathogenesis, host responses to viral infection, molecular virology, and medical countermeasure development.
- Contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of complex research studies.
- Analyze host-virus interaction data and communicate findings to laboratory leadership and stakeholders.
- Coordinate and collaborate with scientists throughout the Institute on in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo studies supporting infectious disease countermeasure development.
- Analyze study results and support planning of follow-on research activities.
- Contribute to development and preparation of animal protocols for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review and approval.
- Support animal studies through administration of anesthesia, phlebotomy, treatment procedures, necropsy support, and collection of research samples.
- Independently perform and analyze NanoString assays.
- Interpret complex cellular signaling pathway data and support confirmatory studies.
- Independently perform and analyze Luminex-based assays.
- Develop novel Luminex-based assays for antigen and antibody detection.
- Perform immunological assays, including ELISA, Western blot, flow cytometry, plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT), and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
- Support preparation of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories for Safety, Biosurety, CDC, and Department of the Army Inspector General inspections.
- Collaborate with Government and Institute leadership to pursue external funding opportunities.
- Assist with preparation of grants, proposals, and research funding submissions.
- Prepare technical reports supporting departmental, division, and sponsor reporting requirements.
- Author and co-author scientific manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences, technical meetings, and internal briefings.
- Serve as a mentor supporting BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory personnel.
- Prepare and submit monthly PI Technical Reports to the TPOC.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Ph.D. in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Science, Infectious Disease, or a related scientific discipline.
- 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.
- Typically requires experience consistent with a Scientist 3 labor category.
- Demonstrated experience conducting independent scientific research supporting infectious disease, virology, biodefense, or medical countermeasure programs.
- Experience working in high-containment laboratory environments.
- Experience designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting scientific studies.
- Experience supporting animal studies and animal protocol development.
- Experience performing immunological, molecular biology, and virology laboratory techniques.
- Experience preparing technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and funding proposals.
- Experience mentoring technical or scientific personnel.
- Ability to work in BSL-3 and BSL-4 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 required background and drug screening requirements.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting biodefense, emerging infectious disease, or medical countermeasure development programs.
- Experience conducting research involving Bunyavirales or other high-consequence viral pathogens.
- Experience with NanoString, Luminex, ELISA, PRNT, flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry platforms.
- Experience supporting BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratory operations.
- Experience developing novel immunological or diagnostic assays.
- Experience preparing and submitting research proposals and grant applications.
- Experience authoring peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Experience presenting scientific findings at national or international scientific conferences.
- Experience supporting animal model development and infectious disease studies.
- Experience serving as a laboratory mentor, trainer, or scientific lead.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of virology, viral pathogenesis, immunology, molecular biology, and infectious disease research.
- Knowledge of medical countermeasure development and evaluation methodologies.
- Knowledge of host-pathogen interactions and cellular signaling pathways.
- Knowledge of NanoString, Luminex, ELISA, PRNT, flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry methodologies.
- Knowledge of in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo research models and study design.
- Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory operations, biosafety requirements, and biosurety procedures.
- Knowledge of scientific publication development, technical reporting, and proposal preparation.
- Ability to independently design, execute, analyze, and interpret complex scientific studies.
- Ability to develop and optimize novel laboratory assays and methodologies.
- Ability to identify, evaluate, and pursue scientific funding opportunities.
- Ability to mentor scientists, technicians, and research personnel.
- Ability to communicate scientific findings effectively through technical reports, publications, and presentations.
- Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.
