Scientific Manager - Influenza Immunology; VICD

Scientific Manager I - Influenza Immunology (VICD)

Job
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division:
Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate
Facility:
Frederick: ATRF

Location:

8560 Progress Dr, Frederick, MD 21701 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.
Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate (VICD) has a primary mission to provide scientific leadership and laboratory infrastructure to study immune responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and other cancer preventive strategies in the context of preclinical and clinical studies. As part of a large effort, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Frederick National Laboratory (FNL) and other stakeholders are developing vaccines with durable protection for seasonal influenza virus.

VICD is leading the development of immunoassays with the highest reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity for evaluation of immune responses against the virus and vaccine. VICD is recruiting for a Scientific Manager I to lead and manage a new high impact laboratory that will develop and implement validated immunoassays to be utilized in clinical trial studies, within an internationally recognized research directorate.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience working under the Good Clinical Laboratory Practices, with deep understanding of the immunology of influenza viruses or other respiratory viruses infections and vaccines, and with the ability to design and develop new assays to investigate immune responses to infection and vaccines. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape new scientific directions within a mission-driven environment that integrates new assay development, translational research, and clinical evaluation of new preventive strategies.

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate (VICD) is recruiting for a Scientific Manager to manage a laboratory team that will develop, standardize, and validate a variety of new serology and cellular immunity assays, and conduct sample testing within critical trials.

• Manages all laboratory activities of a scientific unit at VICD, following GCLP requirements
• In collaboration with laboratory leadership, leads the development, standardization and validation of new and existing immune assays for different antigens of viral pathogens
• Conducts research and development activities using state-of-the-art technologies, for evaluating humoral and cellular immune responses, in collaboration with scientific partners, including government, academic centers and other organizations
• Designs and oversees studies from beginning to end driving studies to timely completion
• Reviews, analyzes and interprets complex immunological data
• Manages project risk by proactively anticipating issues and developing contingency plans and solutions
• Responsible for development and writing of SOPs, SOPs, protocols, manuals, manuscripts and other publications
• Develops strategies to meet scientific objectives with efficiency and within budget
• Interfaces with government officials, both scientific and administrative, at varying levels of leadership and responsibility to coordinate logistical support for assigned projects/programs
• Evaluates personnel performance and needs to ensure efficient laboratory functions
• Collaborates with leadership to develop budget for the scientific unit
• Collaborates with VICD leadership for funding and future project planning
• Performs other related duties as assigned by laboratory leadership (i.e. Manager/Director)

This position may be filled with a Scientific Manager I commensurate with the selected candidates experience. To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of a PhD degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience, including two (2) years of experience in a leadership/manager capacity
• Demonstrates a deep knowledge of viral immunology, in particular influenza immunology
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments
• Strong technical expertise in development, validation and implementation of advanced immunological assays, including ELISA and antibody-based serological assays, such as for avidity and isotype characterization, Multiplex platforms (e.g.,…