Molecular Virology Research Scientist

Overview

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance! Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for a Molecular Virology Research Scientist to support research focused on the discovery and development of medical countermeasures targeting viral threats of military importance that require high-containment laboratory operations. The position supports research conducted in BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 environments and requires working knowledge of FDA-related research requirements, including Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Clinical Practices, non-clinical research, clinical research, pivotal animal studies, and FDA Animal Rule-related activities. The incumbent will assist with research project design and development, support animal protocol preparation, conduct immunological assays, analyze study data, prepare technical reports and manuscripts, support scientific presentations, and maintain required CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment.

Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Perform research aimed at the development of medical countermeasures to prevent and treat viral diseases of importance to the military. Research includes performing hands-on in vitrowork in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment; and hands-on in vivo work in ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 containment.  
• Assist in the design and development of research projects. Oversee the execution of approved research projects which can include up to ten (10) small animal studies and up to five (5) nonhuman primate studies per year. Contractor will analyze the data from these studies, assist the PI in generation of reports, and assist in planning the next studies.
• Assist the PI in the writing of animal protocols for submission and approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
• Perform immunological assays to characterize responses to infection including, but not limited to, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), Western Blot, flow cytometry, plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
• Assist in the preparation of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 labs for Safety, Bio-surety, CDC, and Department of Army Inspector General inspections at a minimum of 4 times a year. Use laboratory experience and expertise to provide training, perform laboratory supervisor duties and participate in laboratory containment working group(s) as needed to help ensure the labs, lab personnel, and procedures performed in the laboratory meet the applicable standards and regulations. 
• Assist PI in pursuit of funding from DTRA and other funding agencies in collaboration with the Government and USAMRIID to further the research portfolio of the Division and USAMRIID.  Will assist with the preparation of a minimum of three (3) grants and proposals for prospective funding opportunities per year to the institute’s portfolio management committee or equivalent for consideration.
• Will prepare technical reports describing the status of projects to appropriate funding agencies. Frequency of delivery is quarterly or as defined by the reporting requirements of the department, division and funding sponsor. 
• Author manuscripts related to research findings and submit for publication in relevant scientific journals at least one manuscript per year.  May be required to present work at Scientific Meetings (approximately 1-2 per year) which may require CONUS and OCONUS travel.
• Develop or conduct annual reviews of SOPs for the Virology Division as assigned. 
• Provide the TPOC with a PI Technical Report NLT the last working day of each month.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Science, Infectious Disease, or a related life sciences discipline.
• Experience or demonstrated research capability consistent with a Scientist 1 labor category, including the ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and report research.
• Knowledge of a relevant life sciences field.
• Experience conducting or supporting virology, infectious disease, biodefense, medical countermeasure, or related biomedical research.
• Experience supporting in vitro and/or in vivo research studies.
• Experience preparing or contributing to scientific reports, publications, presentations, research documentation, or technical summaries.
• Experience performing immunological assays such as ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry, PRNT, and immunohistochemistry.
• Knowledge of FDA-related research requirements, including GLP, GMP, GCP, non-clinical research, clinical research, pivotal animal studies, or FDA Animal Rule-related activities.
• Ability to work in BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 environments as required.
• 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 medical countermeasure development for viral diseases of military importance.
• Experience working in BSL-3 and/or BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Experience supporting ABSL-3 and/or ABSL-4 animal research studies.
• Experience supporting FDA-regulated research, FDA Animal Rule studies, pivotal animal studies, or clinical product characterization efforts.
• Experience assisting with animal protocol preparation for IACUC review and approval.
• Experience preparing laboratories for Safety, Biosurety, CDC, or Department of the Army Inspector General inspections.
• Experience preparing technical reports, manuscripts, grants, proposals, and sponsor-facing documentation.
• Experience presenting research findings at scientific meetings or technical forums.
• Experience developing or reviewing Virology Division SOPs.
• Experience participating in laboratory containment working groups or supporting laboratory training activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of molecular virology, infectious disease research, biodefense programs, and medical countermeasure development.
• Knowledge of FDA non-clinical, clinical, pivotal animal study, GLP, GMP, GCP, and FDA Animal Rule-related research requirements.
• Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 laboratory operations and high-containment research requirements.
• Knowledge of immunological assay methods, including ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry, PRNT, and immunohistochemistry.
• Knowledge of animal study support, animal protocol development, and IACUC submission processes.
• Knowledge of laboratory inspection readiness, biosafety, biosurety, CDC inspection support, and Department of the Army Inspector General inspection preparation.
• Ability to support research project design, study execution, data analysis, technical reporting, and follow-on study planning.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, manuscripts, SOPs, grant materials, proposals, monthly reports, and scientific presentations.
• Ability to share research findings with project team members and communicate findings in written and oral formats.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific research teams.

Estimated Salary/Wage

USD $85,000.00/Yr. Up to USD $100,000.00/Yr.