OverviewChenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a
Chenega Professional Services' company, is looking for a
Senior Therapeutics Discovery Technician to provide advanced laboratory support for research efforts within the Molecular Biology Division (MBD). The position supports basic and applied research focused on current and emerging threats affecting biodefense and infectious disease programs. Responsibilities include therapeutic discovery research, high-throughput screening, molecular biology techniques, microbiological testing, animal study support, laboratory operations, scientific data analysis, and technical reporting. The incumbent assists with planning, development, execution, and evaluation of scientific studies; supports therapeutic evaluation and medical countermeasure development programs; maintains laboratory operations and inventories; trains personnel; and contributes to research conducted within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
Responsibilities- Assist in the planning, development, execution and evaluation of high-throughput screening projects for the antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-toxin therapeutic areas and assist in the development of novel assays/methods for various programs. This includes basic cell culture to support these efforts. Shall assist in screening of molecular compound libraries for therapeutic efficacy to support MCM development.
- Perform both in vitro and in vivo microbiological experiments designed to evaluate therapeutic compounds for antibacterial/antiviral/antitoxin activity. In vitro assays include enzymatic assays, cell-based phenotypic and reporter assays. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and plaque assays. Shall perform standard molecular biology techniques to support development of these assays.
- Support mouse studies when required. Shall assist with inoculations of animals, collecting specimens for processing, and analysis of those specimens. Analysis may include development and conduct of immunological procedures including Enzyme Linked immunoassay (ELISA), Western blot, and Mesoscale Discovery based assays.
- Assist in the preparation of technical reports, standard operating procedures, and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. May be expected to present research findings at 1-2 scientific conference per year as needed and CONUS travel may be required. Present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
- Be responsible for assessing and maintaining laboratory supplies in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories. Shall assess supplies and ensure supply orders are coordinated with Division resources. Shall ensure that all assigned laboratory space is orderly and compliant with all regulatory guidance.
- Perform operations and training in animal manipulations. Support animal studies (mouse, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.) for funded projects. Shall be experienced with handling both bacterial and viral pathogens for in vitroand in vivo studies with preferred experience in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 biocontainment labs.
- Provide the TPOC a Research Technical Report NLT the last day of each month.
- Communicate to the Lead/PI or assigned TPOC as applicable, unexpected experimental data/results and assist in the troubleshooting or root cause analysis. Communicate to the TPOC any laboratory or other work-related issues. Communicate with internal maintenance or external vendors for technical support and troubleshooting.
- Maintain an orderly laboratory environment in compliance with regulations. Coordinate ordering of supplies with division staff. Assist in training new personnel including students and other technicians as needed.
- Participate in regular laboratory decontamination and cleaning. Main laboratory areas, benches and hoods shall be decontaminated periodically to reduce possible sources of contamination. This task also includes proper disposal of waste and packaging material. Testing of emergency showers, eye washers and drainage systems shall be completed IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs. Participate in regular instrumentation washes, cleaning and maintenance.
- Maintain laboratory records documenting sample processing, protocol design and usage, and data management that meet current CGS and Institutional requirements and ensure continuity and collective sharing of resources. Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment, specimens and reagents inventories, as well as keeping an organized, safe and professional work environment.
- May be required to cross-train and provide laboratory technical support to other areas within the MBD as needed.
- Present research findings/presentations at monthly lab meetings and attend scientific discussion weekly meetings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline and seven (7) or more years of related laboratory experience; OR Master's degree in a related scientific discipline and three (3) or more years of related laboratory experience.
- 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
- Experience performing laboratory procedures, scientific testing, research activities, and technical support functions within therapeutic discovery, microbiology, molecular biology, infectious disease, or related biomedical research disciplines.
- Experience independently executing complex laboratory procedures and scientific protocols.
- Experience supporting high-throughput screening programs, microbiological testing, and molecular biology research activities.
- Experience supporting both in vitro and in vivo research studies.
- Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting scientific data.
- Experience supporting laboratory operations, inventories, equipment maintenance, and biosafety requirements.
- Experience training and mentoring laboratory personnel.
- Ability to work effectively within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting biodefense, infectious disease, therapeutic discovery, or medical countermeasure research programs.
- Experience performing high-throughput screening assays and compound library screening activities.
- Experience supporting antibacterial, antiviral, and antitoxin therapeutic development programs.
- Experience performing molecular biology techniques and microbiological testing procedures.
- Experience performing ELISA, Western Blot, Mesoscale Discovery assays, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays, and plaque assays.
- Experience supporting animal studies involving mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, or other laboratory animal species.
- Experience handling bacterial and viral pathogens in both in vitro and in vivo research environments.
- Experience supporting laboratory operations in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biocontainment laboratories.
- Experience preparing SOPs, technical reports, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.
- Experience training laboratory personnel and supporting cross-functional laboratory research activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of molecular biology, microbiology, infectious disease research, and therapeutic discovery methodologies.
- Knowledge of high-throughput screening technologies, compound screening workflows, and therapeutic evaluation studies.
- Knowledge of ELISA, Western Blot, MIC testing, plaque assays, enzymatic assays, cell-based phenotypic assays, reporter assays, and related laboratory techniques.
- Knowledge of laboratory animal research procedures and biological specimen collection techniques.
- Knowledge of laboratory biosafety practices, biocontainment procedures, laboratory operations, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of laboratory documentation, data management, technical reporting, and scientific recordkeeping practices.
- Ability to independently perform laboratory procedures and scientific protocols with minimal supervision.
- Ability to assist in planning, development, execution, and evaluation of scientific studies and research projects.
- Ability to troubleshoot experimental issues and assist with root cause analysis activities.
- Ability to organize, analyze, maintain, and communicate scientific and technical data.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, manuscripts, SOPs, presentations, and scientific documentation.
- Ability to train, mentor, and support laboratory personnel and research staff.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific teams.
