Research Assistant- Microbiology and Molecular Biology

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description:

Parsons is seeking Research Assistants – Microbiology and Molecular Biology to support infectious-disease, genomics, and biosurveillance research at NMRC BDRD. These positions will provide hands-on laboratory support for sample processing, molecular and microbiological methods, sequencing workflows, and research documentation.

Selected candidates will work with scientists, research associates, and bioinformatics personnel in a multidisciplinary Government laboratory environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Perform routine microbiology and molecular-biology procedures under approved protocols.
• Collect, receive, process, label, and track research samples.
• Support nucleic-acid extraction, PCR, library preparation, sequencing, and quality-control activities.
• Assist with clinical, environmental, wastewater, bacterial, viral, animal, vector, or bacteriophage samples as assigned.
• Prepare reagents, media, supplies, and laboratory materials.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment in accordance with SOPs.
• Record experimental procedures, observations, results, and deviations accurately.
• Maintain sample, reagent, supply, and equipment inventories.
• Support protocol optimization, validation studies, and troubleshooting.
• Assist with preparation of data summaries, reports, posters, presentations, and SOPs.
• Follow laboratory safety, quality, data-handling, and research-compliance requirements.
• Support domestic or international field and partner-laboratory activities when required.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a relevant biomedical-sciences field.
• At least two years of relevant microbiology experience.
• Practical laboratory skills and the ability to follow detailed research protocols.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory and sample records.
• Strong organizational, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under deadlines in a research-laboratory environment.
• Ability to adjust work hours occasionally for time-sensitive experiments.
• Availability for domestic and international travel lasting up to two to four weeks.
• U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements.
• Ability to satisfy applicable background investigation, CAC, facility-access, and system-access requirements.

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring

• Experience with molecular biology, PCR, nucleic-acid extraction, or NGS workflows.
• Experience with infectious-disease pathogens or biosurveillance.
• Experience with clinical, environmental, wastewater, vector, animal, or bacteriophage samples.
• Experience maintaining laboratory inventories and scientific records.
• Experience supporting human-subject or animal-use research.
• Experience in an NMRC, DoD, federal, academic, or public-health laboratory.
• Experience traveling or working in resource-limited environments.
• Current Government facility or system access.

Compliance Note

These positions are expected to be primarily on-site at Fort Detrick and are contingent upon contract award. The PWS does not expressly require a Secret clearance for this labor category. Applicable background investigation and access requirements must be validated before publication. Occasional schedule adjustments may be required for time-sensitive experiments, sample processing, field activities, or emerging mission needs.

Security Clearance Requirement:

None This position is part of our…