Bacterial Core Lead Scientist

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for a Bacterial Core Lead Scientist to support our government customer located in Frederick, MD at Fort Detrick.

• Use computer to analyze data and prepare graphs, do statistics, write lab notes and reports.
• Complete quarterly reports and annual progress reports per investigator
• Present 2 research findings/presentations at lab meetings and approximately 23 lab meetings per year, and if required, attend approximately 2 scientific meetings or symposia (CONUS or OCONUS).
• Attend twelve (12) division meetings per year and give one (1) presentation per investigator
• Prepare one 1st author manuscript for publication per year
• Prepare approximately 2 supporting author scientific papers for publication.
• In charge of maintenance of ~6 microscope systems in laboratories.
• Responsible for ordering microscopy systems and parts.
• Prepare BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs for safety, bio-surety and CDC inspections.
• Plan and perform in vitro minimum inhibition concentration (mic) testing or potential therapeutic compounds against tier 1 bacteria. We currently utilize 30-strain diversity sets of bacillus anthracis (anthrax), yersinia pestis (plague), francisella tularensis (tularemia), burkholderia mallei (glanders), and burkholderia pseudomallei (meliodosis), testing over 72 compounds per year against all 30 strains, in vitro.
• Plan and participate in mouse, rat, and rabbit studies, which include preparation of antibiotics for administration, administering drugs and vaccines, orally and by intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration. In addition, collect animal body fluids and remove tissues with all small-animal studies executed. Upon execution of experiment all contractors will perform animal health exams to ensure study remains in compliance with IACUC approved protocols.
• Participate in weekly lab meetings and assist in development and design with current and future in vitro and in vivo work. May be requested to present posters at 1 scientific conferences which may require work to be performed outside normal business hours.
• Plan and participate in small-animal BSL-2 pharmacokinetics and toxicology studies; to include preparation of antibiotics for administration; administering drugs and vaccines, followed by blood and tissue collection of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics relationships and efficacy of optimized leads.
• Support the in vivo pharmacology research program and contribute to the multidisciplinary research team to determine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics relationships and efficacy of optimized leads.
• Assist in animal protocols working with bacterial pathogens.
• Participate in testing and purifying b. Anthracis components for efficacy studies.
• Write, plan and execute animal protocol.
• Perform ELISAs.
• Process flow cytometry samples
• Test for endotoxin and perform endotoxin remediation when necessary.
• Purify bacterial products from culture supernatants per year.
• Conduct equipment inventory management twice a year in BSL-2 and BSL-3
• Perform monthly laboratory management to include safety functions and chemical inventory.
• Provide one (1) scientific support monthly report to include materials and methods, data and data analysis and should be updated monthly.
• Maintain a GLP training folder and be compliant with all GLP regulations when applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master's Degree in a biological or life science and seven (7) years of experience (preferred) or
• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years’ experience

• Experience in high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS).
• Experience in animal manipulations.
• Experience with in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay systems and be able to perform pharmacokinetic (PK) determinations on antibiotics from various animal species.
• Possess knowledge of animal study design, including developing therapeutic treatment plans, dosing schedule, number of animals required, supplies required, and facilities needed if given a desired study endpoint. Possess some basic…