Biosafety Level Four Laboratory Scientist; Biological Scientist

Position Summary and Objectives

This position supports research conducted in the NIH Clinical Center and NIAID biosafety level 4 laboratory, including translational studies of emerging viral pathogens. The scientist contributes to human and animal research on the pathogenesis and treatment of high‑consequence viral infections, performs virology and immunology assays under maximum containment, and interprets experimental results for the research team.

Biosafety Level Four Laboratory Scientist

• Technical support for the study of basic principles of animal life
• Conduct translational human and animal research on the pathogenesis and treatment of high‑consequence emerging viral infections, including Ebola and Nipah virus
• Perform virology and immunology assays in support of the laboratory’s translational research objectives
• Support studies involving rodent and non‑human primate models, working within approved protocols governing animal care and use
• Apply established molecular and cellular methods to characterize host response and pathogen behavior across experimental models
• Laboratory experiments and procedures
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results, writing reports and summaries of findings for the research team
• Coordinate the work of biological technicians, technologists, and other scientists supporting laboratory operations
• Develop and maintain proficiency working safely and effectively in a biosafety level four laboratory environment
• Adhere to all containment, entry and exit, and decontamination procedures governing maximum containment work, and complete the training and medical surveillance requirements those procedures carry
• Preparation, organization, and maintenance of laboratory samples, supplies, and equipment
• Establish and maintain an accurate and reliable sample inventory, with specimen storage and accountability practices that withstand audit
• Prepare, organize, and maintain laboratory samples, reagents, supplies, and equipment so that containment work proceeds without interruption
• Track chain of custody for specimens and maintain documentation consistent with facility and program requirements
• Coordinate equipment readiness, including calibration and maintenance scheduling, in cooperation with facility operations staff
• Adoption of new laboratory techniques and procedures
• Implement existing assays and assimilate new techniques related to virology and immunology as the research program evolves
• Evaluate and adapt published methods for use under maximum containment conditions, accounting for the procedural constraints of the environment
• Review relevant scientific literature to inform assay selection and experimental design
• Documentation and reporting: meet weekly with laboratory members to present updates, prepare written summaries, maintain detailed records of methods and results for reproducibility

• Master’s degree required in Microbiology or a closely related biological or life‑science discipline
• Prior experience working in biosafety level 4 laboratories conducting virology and immunology assays
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and effectively under maximum containment conditions
• A history of careful, well‑documented bench work and reliable specimen record‑keeping

• Familiarity with specimen storage and accountability systems, including laboratory inventory and sample tracking applications
• Microsoft Office
• Data analysis environments suitable for assay and experimental data, such as Graph Pad Prism, R, or Python

• Immunology assays
• Basic and molecular virology
• Specimen storage, inventory management, and accountability
• Coordination of technical staff supporting laboratory operations

• A Secret security clearance is required for this position
• Enrollment in the NIH Biosurveillance Program is required
• The schedule includes protracted or irregular hours, and coverage may be required on nights, weekends, and holidays. Telework is not authorized
• The position involves contact with rodents, non‑human primates and their tissues, human blood and body fluids, radiation, and select agents, and requires the use of personal protective equipment including gloves, lab coat, safety glasses, face shields or goggles, and an impervious suit