Research Associate II in Frederick, MD

Description

Research Associate II

Job ID: req1967
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Facility: Frederick: ATRF
Location: 8560 Progress Dr, Frederick, MD 21701 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 Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate's mission is to provide scientific leadership and laboratory infrastructure to study immune responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV), SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines as well as other cancer preventive strategies in the context of clinical and pre-clinical studies.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Program is looking for Research Associate II with a strong background in molecular biology and immunology to conduct serology testing. The aims of this project are to produce critical assay reagents and perform serology and other immune assays for assessment of immune responses to infection in the context of clinical trials.

The Research Associate II will: 

• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessment of immune responses to infection and vaccines
• Production of HPV Virus-like particles and assay standards
• Plan experiments and lead testing of large number of samples from clinical studies
• Design and implement protocols, as well as troubleshoot assays and experiments independently
• Evaluate, analyze and compile data, maintain databases
• Be responsible for routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment and inventories
• Prepare reports, present data and participate in report and proposal preparation

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree.  Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience
• Four (4) years of laboratory experience
• Detailed knowledge of vaccines, immunology, and virology
• Expertise in tissue culture and immunological/virologic techniques, including aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, production of plasmids, and virus-like particles, western-blot, ELISA, Luminex assays, flow cytometry, virus neutralization assays and PCR
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• MS in immunology, vaccinology, virology, or molecular biology
• Experience in HPV research
• Experience in serology assay development and validation under GCLP or GLP environment
• Experience handling large data sets, statistics, software tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience in laboratories operating under GCLP/GMP/GLP/CLIA
• Experience using robotics
• Experience with electronic documentation systems and LIMS
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements in vaccine development

JOB HAZARDS 

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations

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

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