Biological R&D Scientist

Omaha, NE,United States | Full-time regular

• Design, execute, and interpret experiments on antigen expression, purification, characterization, adjuvant selection, and formulation (independence increases with level)
• Perform core molecular biology, microbiology, and cell culture techniques (PCR, cloning, Western blot, ELISA)
• Run and, at senior levels, develop immunological assays (SNT, VN, HI, ELISA, ELISpot, multiplex cytokine, FACS)
• Support or lead in vitro/in vivo safety and efficacy studies, including vaccination-challenge trials
• Maintain GLP-compliant lab records; prepare reagents, media, and challenge materials
• Contribute to USDA Outline of Production, license applications, study reports, and SOPs (III/IV author/revise)
• Collaborate with Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Quality; present findings internally and externally (III/IV)
• Mentor junior staff on technique and compliance (III/IV)

• Grade/Level: Entry Level
• Supervision:
  Works under close supervision and executes established protocols.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, or a related life science field (Master's preferred).
• Experience:
  
  0-2 years of relevant laboratory research experience. Internships and graduate research may be considered.
• Mentorship:
  No mentorship responsibilities expected.
• Regulatory Contribution:
  Maintains GLP-compliant laboratory notebooks and records.

• Grade/Level: Entry Level
• Supervision:
  Performs standard protocols independently under general supervision.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (Master's preferred).
• Experience:
  
  2+ years of relevant laboratory research experience.
• Mentorship:
  May assist with necropsy and pathology sampling under senior guidance.
• Regulatory Contribution:
  Maintains GLP-compliant laboratory notebooks and records.

• Grade/Level: Mid-Level
• Supervision:
  Independently designs, optimizes, and executes experiments under general supervision.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D./D.V.M.
  
  -Ph.D. with postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Experience:
  
  4+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 2+ years with a Master's degree, or relevant postdoctoral/industry experience with a Ph.D.
• Mentorship:
  Mentors Scientist I staff and research associates.
• Regulatory Contribution:
  Contributes to USDA Outline of Production (OoP), license applications, and study reports; authors and revises SOPs.

• Grade/Level: Mid-Level
• Supervision:
  Independently designs, executes, interprets, and leads complete study plans under general supervision.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D./D.V.M.
  
  -Ph.D. plus 2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Experience:
  
  6+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 4+ years with a Master's degree, or 2+ years of postdoctoral/industry experience with a Ph.D.
• Mentorship:
  Mentors Scientists I, II, and III on laboratory techniques, study procedures, and regulatory compliance.
• Regulatory Contribution:
  Contributes to USDA Outline of Production (OoP), license applications, and study reports; authors and revises SOPs.

Years of experience are guidelines and not strict requirements. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.

• B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field (M.S./Ph.D. preferred at higher levels); see Level Guide for experience by level
• Hands-on molecular biology / cell culture technique experience; familiarity with ELISA, Western blot, and/or animal handling
• Strong attention to detail, data integrity, and communication skills; team-oriented
• Preferred: target animal species experience (cattle, swine, equine, aquaculture); USDA CVB/GLP/GMP exposure; USDA 9 CFR familiarity; recombinant/vector/nucleic-acid vaccine platform experience; IACUC familiarity (III/IV); publications (IV)

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