Senior Therapeutics Discovery Technician

Assist in the planning, development, execution and evaluation of high-throughput screening projects for the antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-toxin therapeutic areas and assist in the development of novel assays/methods for various programs. This includes basic cell culture to support these efforts. Shall assist in screening of molecular compound libraries for therapeutic efficacy to support MCM development.

Perform both in vitro and in vivo microbiological experiments designed to evaluate therapeutic compounds for antibacterial/antiviral/antitoxin activity. In vitro assays include enzymatic assays, cell-based phenotypic and reporter assays. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and plaque assays. Shall perform standard molecular biology techniques to support development of these assays.

Support mouse studies when required. Shall assist with inoculations of animals, collecting specimens for processing, and analysis of those specimens. Analysis may include development and conduct of immunological procedures including Enzyme Linked immunoassay (ELISA), Western blot, and Mesoscale Discovery based assays.

Assist in the preparation of technical reports, standard operating procedures, and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. May be expected to present research findings at 1-2 scientific conference per year as needed and CONUS travel may be required. Shall present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.

Responsible for assessing and maintaining laboratory supplies in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories. Shall assess supplies and ensure supply orders are coordinated with Division resources. Shall ensure that all assigned laboratory space is orderly and compliant with all regulatory guidance.

Perform operations and training in animal manipulations. Support animal studies (mouse, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.) for funded projects.

Provide a Research Technical Report NLT the last day of each month.

Communicate to the Lead/PI unexpected experimental data/results and assist in the troubleshooting or root cause analysis. Communicate any laboratory or other work-related issues. Communicate with internal maintenance or external vendors for technical support and troubleshooting.

Maintain an orderly laboratory environment in compliance with regulations. Coordinate ordering supplies with division staff. Assist in training new personnel including students and other technicians as needed.

Participate in regular laboratory decontamination and cleaning. Main laboratory areas, benches and hoods shall be decontaminated periodically to reduce possible sources of contamination. This task also includes proper disposal of waste and packaging material. Testing of emergency showers, eye washers and drainage systems shall be completed IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs. Participate in regular instrumentation washes, cleaning and maintenance.

Maintain laboratory records documenting sample processing, protocol design and usage, and data management that meet current CGS and Institutional requirements and ensure continuity and collective sharing of resources. Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment, specimens and reagents inventories, as well as keeping an organized, safe and professional work environment.

May be required to cross-train and provide laboratory technical support to other areas within the MBD as needed.

Present research findings/presentations at monthly lab meetings and attend scientific discussion weekly meetings.

Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or similar scientific field of study and 5 years of relevant laboratory experience.

Must have a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years’ experience planning, developing, executing and evaluating high-throughput screening projects, and developing novel assays/methods.

Must have a minimum of…