Development Associate II - VICD

Development Associate II - 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.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate (VICD) at the Frederick National Laboratory investigates immune responses to vaccines inpreclinical and clinical studies. The Frederick National Laboratory (FNL) in collaboration with other stakeholders develop assays with the highestreproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity for evaluation of immune responses against viruses and vaccines in clinical trials.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate (VICD) is recruiting for a highly motivated and innovative Development Associate II, to join a multidisciplinary team advancing cutting-edge immune monitoring, biomarker, vaccine, and cancer research. The successful candidate will work in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment equipped with advanced technologies for immune, cell-based, and molecular assay development and testing. This position provides an opportunity to contribute tothe development, optimization, qualification, validation, and implementation ofnovel assays and emerging technologies supporting translational research,clinical studies, vaccines, immunotherapies, and cancer research.

This position reports to the Scientific Manager and under the direction and guidance of the manager, the following tasks will be performed:

• Develop, optimize, qualify/validate, and implement novel immune, cell-based, and molecular assays with minimal supervision
• Design and execute experiments supporting innovative assay platforms, including technologies such as:
  • ELISA and multiplex immunoassays
  • Viral neutralization and functional antibody assays
  • Cell-based functional and reporter assays
  • Mammalian cell culture
  • Flow cytometry and immune-cell phenotyping
  • Cytokine and immune-response assays
  • PCR/qPCR and other nucleic-acid-based assays
  • Molecular and biomarker assays
  • Transcriptomics and sequencing
  • Emerging high-throughput and multiplex technologies
• Carry out experimental design and troubleshooting independently, in consultation with manager
• Evaluate and integrate novel assay technologies, advanced instrumentation, automation, robotics, and laboratory software to improve assay performance, throughput, reproducibility, and data quality
• Prepare manuscripts, reports and scientific presentations
• Ensure laboratory procedures and testing are compliant with internal requirements, such as GCLP and quality system, as necessary
• Assist in evaluating, analyzing, compiling data, and present findings at meetings
• Responsible for routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining inventory for the studies
• Perform literatures searches and reviews that will contribute to the development of new assays
• Write SOPs, protocols, manuscripts for publications
• Perform other duties as assigned

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Master's degree in Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular biology or related field from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or six (6) years relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two years of experience in a GCLP Clinical Immunology Lab or other related areas in a Biotech or Pharma Industry setting
• Experience in ELISA, viral neutralization assays and mammalian cell culture
• Experience in development, qualification & validation of immune and molecular biology assays
• Experience working in GCLP/GxP laboratory environment, familiar with LIMS, good documentation practices, SOP writing
• Team player with outstanding oral/written communication skills and ability tomulti-task
• Ability towork independently on projects with minimal supervision
• Strong Computer skills and experience with relevant software such as Softmax,Excel, PowerPoint, R Script, Python, etc. and ability to analyze datausing statistical tools
• Scientific competency in a field relevant and related to cancer research
• Mustbe able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular biology or related field inGCLP Clinical Immunology Lab or other related areas in Biotech or Pharma Industry setting
• A minimum of five years of related experience
• Familiarity with diagnostics and…