Research Associate I/II, Immunology/Molecular Biology

Job ID: req3661
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer
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.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Vaccine, Immunity, and Cancer Directorate (VICD) at the Frederick National Laboratory has a primary mission to provide scientific leadership and laboratory infrastructure to study immune responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and other cancer preventive strategies in the context of clinical and pre-clinical studies. More recently, VICD is also leading initiatives on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be responsible for sample management
  
• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessment of immune responses to infections and vaccines
  
• Plan experiments and conduct testing of large number of samples from clinical studies
  
• With limited supervision, 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
  
• Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques
  
• Other duties as assigned
  

**THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING APPROVAL**

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in immunology, molecular biology, biology, or other relevant studies from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education)
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
  • Research Associate I - In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience
  • Research Associate II- In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Master's degree in relevant studies
  
• Experience in standard tissue culture and immunological/virological techniques, including: aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, production of plasmids and virus-like particles, western-blot, ELISA, Luminex assays, virus neutralization assays and PCR
  
• Experience in immune assay (ELISA, multiplex assays) development and validation
  
• 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
  

JOB HAZARDS

• Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemical or biological materials or may be located in areas where such materials are used
• 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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