Virology and Infectious Disease Research Scientist Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

Precise Systems delivers integrated, mission-ready solutions that advance warfighter readiness and strengthen our nation’s most critical defense programs. Through the power of our combined capabilities, we provide deep expertise in Advanced Engineering;
Digital Transformation;
Electromagnetic Warfare;
Interactive Training & Simulation;
Physical Sciences Research;
Platform Lifecycle Support; and Foreign Military Sales. Unified by decades of trusted performance and expanded through strategic growth, our team applies innovative technologies, engineering rigor, and customer-focused execution to solve complex challenges and accelerate mission success. Guided by our commitment to partnership, precision, and performance, we deliver the scalable solutions and technical excellence our customers depend on—today and into the future.

Precise Systems seeks a Virologist/Infectious Disease Research Scientist to develop methods to detect known, unknown, and emerging infectious human disease pathogens for field deployment. The candidate will also be tasked with characterization and threat assessment of emerging infectious disease pathogens, including viruses. DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center (CBC) is the primary Department of War technical organization for non-medical chemical and biological defense.

All work is performed on site, in Edgewood, MD.

• The candidate must be skilled in cell culture, viral growth, and virological techniques (plaque assays, TCID
  50s, neutralization assays)
• Collaborate with a team to design, test, and deliver rapid, facile methods for identifying DNA and RNA pathogens using untargeted sequencing
• Develop detection methods in the laboratory, optimize and streamline them for field use, troubleshoot processes and equipment, train and prepare for field demonstrations
• Execute standard microbiological methods for cell lysis, DNA/RNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution
• Utilize Oxford Nanopore MiniION/GridION/Prometh
  
  ION and Illumina MiSeq platforms
• Typical samples could be simple or complex, individual or pooled, and require targeted and untargeted sequencing (amplicon vs meta genome sequencing)
• Samples may be of environmental or human origin and up to BSL3 pathogens of military relevance
• Execute standard microbiological techniques to perform cell lysis for DNA/RNA extractions, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution utilizing the Oxford Nanopore MinION and/or GridION
• Develop workflows, optimize and streamline for use in field environments, and troubleshoot processes and equipment to train and prepare for field demonstrations.
• The laboratory is well supported, with unique capabilities, and opportunities for publication and presentations.

• M.S. in Virology, Microbiology, Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology or a related field

• 5 years' experience in standard microbiological methods for cell lysis, DNA/RNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution
• Experience and ability to be cleared for work in BSL3 and BSAT spaces.
• Shall demonstrate proficiency in a biological laboratory environment (BSL-3), a willingness to learn new skills and methods, and solid technical communications skills; all requirements for this position.
• Previous experience in BPRP or working with hazardous biological materials is highly preferred.
• Previous experience working in a laboratory environment with hazardous biological or hazardous waste management
• Previous experience supporting research and/or testing of CBRN protection commodities

• PhD in Virology, Microbiology, Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology or a related field

• Shall wear personal protective equipment (PPE, lab coat, safety glasses, etc) and will require the candidate to enter the BPRP (Biological Personnel Reliability Program) to work with the hazardous biological materials.
• This job operates in a professional office environment and research laboratory spaces. This role routinely uses…