Research Scientist, Microbiology (#1852)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats.

Its work supports DHS and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses.

It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006.

Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.

NBACC includes two centers : the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts experiments and studies to obtain data required for a better understanding of biological vulnerabilities and hazards.

Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Works with a team of scientists in the NBTCC at the NBACC to develop, manage and analyze research that addresses specific scientific questions of national significance in support of biodefense preparedness, response and recovery.

Areas of research include a range of topics related to the physical, biological and / or pathogenic properties of viral or toxin agents.

Work will be performed in select agent-approved state-of-the-art Biosafety Level (BSL) - 2, 3, & 4 and Animal BSL (ABSL) - 2, 3, & 4 facilities fully staffed and equipped with a wide range of technologies useful for biodefense and infectious disease research.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline or engineering, and a minimum of 9 years related experience or a Master's degree and a minimum of 7 years of experience.
• Proficiency performing techniques required for virus infectivity assays (e.g., maintenance of continuous mammalian cell cultures, plaque assay, TCID50 assay, fluorescence microscopy, virus stock production, virus isolation).
• Proficiency in multiple molecular virology techniques (e.g., transfection and transduction of eukaryotic cells, virus rescue and reverse genetics systems, generation of recombinant viruses and / or viral vectors).
• Proficiency in multiple synthetic biology techniques (e.g., PCR, qPCR, RT-qPCR, molecular cloning into eukaryotic expression vectors, gene assembly, Sanger or NGS sequencing, CRISPR / Cas systems).
• Proficiency assessing toxin activity using cell-based toxicity and / or electrophysiological assays.
• Experience working in BSL-3 and BSL-4 biocontainment laboratories.
• Demonstrates success in providing technical leadership and resource coordination to multiple research projects simultaneously.
• Experienced technical mentor and / or trainer of research personnel on multiple laboratory instrument platforms and / or experimental processes.
• Highly skilled scientific proficiency in laboratory functions. Possesses the ability to identify issues and recommend solutions to institutional science protocols, procedures, and experimental plans.
• Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
• Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination is desirable.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC's management system (e.g., ISO).
• Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
• Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program, and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• May be required to participate in NBACC's alternative work and / or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides technical leadership and / or support to multiple projects simultaneously, while exercising considerable judgment and initiative to effectively and efficiently conduct virology and toxinology threat characterization studies in BSL-2, 3, & 4 biocontainment laboratories.
• Provides mentorship and training to personnel on techniques where the employee is considered to be a subject matter expert (SME).
• Identifies opportunities for technical refinement of existing processes while also working with the Technical Staff Supervisor and Principal Investigators to coordinate the development of new capabilities.
• Provides direct support to Principal Investigators in the quality control, processing, and analysis of scientific data;

makes significant contributions to the preparation of project technical reports and other data deliverables.

• Applies extensive direct experience in toxin-based assays, virus culture and infectivity measurements, molecular virology, and / or synthetic biology in support of research project plans.
• Safely operates, maintains, and documents the performance of equipment used for virology / toxinology studies and proactively provides recommendations for process improvements or new capabilities when appropriate.
• Contributes in matrixed and cross-functional research teams that may include Aerobiology, Bacteriology, and Comparative Medicine (veterinary) staff.
• Presents research results in written and oral formats.
• Acts as a Technical Lead on projects to coordinate day-to-day project logistics and scheduling, perform analysis of data, and provide drafts of project administrative documents.
• Develops high-quality draft protocols, task-specific procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Proactively suggests improvements to existing SOPs and development of new SOPs when needed.

Cross-trains peers on existing and new SOPs.

• May support other research areas of NBACC with appropriate training as program requirements dictate.
• May be appointed as a Lab Space Manager (LSM), and / or Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) designee.
• Consistently performs work on complex scientific projects requiring independent action and high degree of initiative, while developing scientific experimental plans to produce a consistent high quality science product.
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments.
• May be an informal team leader who makes institutional-level contributions, anticipates issues and opportunities to improve, and builds group consensus approaches.
• Participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols including writing and updating NBACC SOPs, work instructions and forms to improve NBACC's ability to serve its customers.
• Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
• Directs, prioritizes, schedules, and provides technical expertise to staff to conduct work.
• With minimal supervision, operates, maintains, and characterizes the performance of the equipment ensuring the reagents and supplies are maintained and used properly.
• Develops techniques, prepares samples and performs test according to appropriate SOPs.
• Serves as a member of a team in developing, validating, and maintaining methods for identifying and characterizing biological threat agents.
• Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
• Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
• Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other duties as assigned / authorized.

BNBI is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.