Scientist III

Scientist III

Job ID: req2659
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick
Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.  The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.

Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

 Position Overview:

Program Description

The AIDS and Cancer Virus Program (ACVP) is an integrated, multidisciplinary program that pursues basic and applied studies aimed at improving our understanding of AIDS-associated viruses, including studies intended to facilitate the improved diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HIV infection and AIDS, and AIDS related tumors, particularly those associated with other viruses such as KSHV. The Program consists of five, independent but highly interactive research Sections headed by Principal Investigators, whose work spans from fundamental molecular virology through in vitro studies, to in vivo studies in non-human primate (NHP) models, to international viral epidemiology.  The ACVP also has multiple Research Support Cores that provide critical and often unique technical support capabilities to ACVP laboratories and other laboratories within the NCI and NIH, and to extramural investigators.

 Key Roles/Responsibilities

A successful applicant for the role of Scientist II will join our dynamic, interactive, multidisciplinary research team to oversee a Research Support Core dedicated to generating various genetic constructs, purified biological products (virus, antibodies and other small molecules), and molecular libraries for various transcriptomic analyses. This candidate will have expertise in standard molecular assays (e.g., library preparation for bulk and scRNA-Seq, CITE-Seq, ImmunoSeq and other transcriptomics analyses, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, PCR, cloning, and gel electrophoresis), cell culture experience to produce biological products (e.g., mammalian, insect, bacteria or yeast cultures), and knowledge of intermediate scale protein purification and accompanying proteomic analyses (e.g., size exclusion, ion exchange and affinity chromatography, ELISA, PAGE/SDS-PAGE, Western Blots/IP, and Immunofluorescence). This role will involve managing multiple research associates, thus excellent mentoring and communication skills are required. The successful candidate will need to work well both individually and in a small team environment, and to interface and coordinate with Principal Investigators and other core heads within the AIDS and Cancer Virus Program and other scientists throughout the NIH and the extramural community at large. This person will also need to manage multiple projects at once, and clearly and effectively present their work in both oral and written formats with preparation of research results for presentation at scientific meetings and publication. Additional expertise in Next Generation Sequencing, tissue-based analyses (confocal microscopy, ISH, IHC) and any computational experience will be useful but not required.

 Basic Qualifications

·     Ph.D. from a college or university accredited according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Immunology, or related discipline. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency

·       In addition to the educational requirements, a minimum of 5-8 years of related experience

·       Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance

 Preferred Qualifications

·   Demonstrated track record of accomplishment in development and application of molecular assays, including library preparations for               various transcriptomic analyses

·    Expertise in all aspects of advanced Molecular Biology (e.g. PCR, including quantitative PCR and RT PCR, cloning, CRISPR-Cas9 edits          and other mutagenesis technologies)

·     Significant experience in production of biological products including virus stocks, antibodies, cytokines other small molecules, and            subsequent analysis of said products

·      Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams

 Useful but not required qualifications

·       Next Generation Sequencing experience

·       Tissue-based analyses (confocal microscopy, ISH, IHC) experience

·       Computational Biology experience

·       Background in virology and/or immunology

·       Background in HIV/AIDS research, including familiarity with nonhuman primate models used in HIV/AIDS research

 Job Hazards

·       This position is subject to working with or have potential exposure to animal material

·       This position is subject to working with or have potential exposure to infectious material

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)

As directed by Executive Order 14042: Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, effective December 8, 2021, Frederick National Laboratory (FNL) will require employees of Leidos Biomedical Research (LBR) and all newly hired employees before their start date, in the United States, to be fully vaccinated or have a qualified exemption.

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