BACKGROUND The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports DHS and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.
NBACC includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts experiments and studies to obtain data required for a better understanding of biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.
PRIMARY FUNCTION The individual in this position will be expected to support the NBTCC in addressing national security questions centered on biological threats using their expertise in virology. The individual will collaborate with the team of scientists in the NBTCC to perform research that support biodefense preparedness, response, and recovery. Areas of research will include a range of topics related to the physical, biological, molecular and/or pathogenic properties of viruses and/or viral vectors. Work will be performed in state-of-the-art BSL-2/3/4 and ABSL-2/3/4 facilities that are fully staffed and equipped with a wide range of technologies for biodefense and infectious disease research. Results of studies performed will be communicated to the biodefense community to provide the Nation with the scientific basis for characterization of biological threats.
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Requires a PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline or engineering, and less than 2 years related experience; may include post-doctoral experience.
- Ability to work on problems of moderate scope in which analysis of situation or data requires review of identifiable factors.
- Requires experience in the design and execution of experiments for the expression, purification, and functional analysis of antibodies for medical countermeasure applications.
- Optimally has expertise in one or more of the following:
- Conducting laboratory research with viral agents encompassing proficiency in virus production methodologies, quantification assays (e.g., TCID50 and plaque assay), and other cell-based viral infection assays (e.g., immunofluorescent staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays [ELISA]).
- Experience with in vivo and/or ex vivo for viral pathogenesis characterization (e.g., ID50/LD50 studies of infectious agents, organoid/MPS systems, etc.).
- Proficiency in molecular virology techniques such as viral genome sequencing, PCR/RT-qPCR, viral and/or host gene expression analysis, reverse genetics systems, and/or CRISPR-based methods.
- Experience with recombinant molecular biology methods (e.g., pseudovirions, virus-like particles, bacterial/mammalian heterologous expression systems, or synthetic gene assembly techniques).
- Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
- Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
- Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination is desirable.
- Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC’s management system (e.g., ISO).
- Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
- Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program, and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
- May be required to participate in NBACC’s alternative work and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs laboratory research on a wide range of viral agents that may include application of viral reverse genetics systems, analysis of viral and/or host gene or protein expression, assessment of agent persistence in the environment, and assessment of virulence/ pathogenesis of viral agents in animal models.
- Designs, implements, and executes virology projects for the NBTCC program including work with standard and CDC Select Agents in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment laboratories.
- Contributes to efforts to maintain and expand NBTCC capabilities to execute research efforts that may include molecular virology, eukaryotic genome editing, sequencing and bioinformatics, and/or the study of systems level virus-host interactions.
- Assists in the development and expansion of institutional capabilities for the characterization of protein and peptide toxins.
- Prepares technical reports and proposals, presentation materials, safety plans, schedules and other programmatic documents, ensuring that they are high quality, accurate, and address the requirements of the sponsor.
- Proficiency in utilizing standard software for data analysis. Maintains accurate and complete records and collects/analyzes technical and programmatic data.
- As a project lead, ensures compliance of activities with BNBI policies, DHS management directives, and regulations.
- Commits project resources, provides clear goals to project team members, and monitors project execution including assigning tasks to team members, and monitors and reports project status (scope accomplishments, schedule, and costs).
- Independently motivated and detail-oriented, with excellent problem-solving skills.
- As a select agent Assistant Principal Investigator, maintains compliance with all relevant regulations and policies and proactively identifies improvements and/or reports issues in safety, biosecurity and quality compliance.
- Participates in the review of prior and on-going studies and presents research results in written and oral formats.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment to achieve results.
- Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
- Receives no instruction on routine work and general instruction on new assignments.
- Willingness to work on problems of diverse scope in which analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors, with expert knowledge of complex scientific principles and concepts.
- Willingness to formulate scientific hypothesis and demonstrate technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration with others and independent thought.
- Participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols including writing and updating NBACC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions and forms to improve NBACC’s ability to serve its customers.
- Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
- Provides analysis, opinions and interpretation, and issues reports.
- Develops, optimizes and validates new or modified methods and procedures.
- Ensures competence of staff to operate specific equipment or perform tests (may issue Authorizations).
- Maintains and evaluates records of analysis and reviews laboratory results, plans and reports.
- Ensures that equipment, reagents and supplies are maintained and used properly.
- Directs, prioritizes, schedules, and provides technical expertise to staff to conduct work.
- Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
- Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
- Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
- Maintains appropriate records.
- Performs other assigned duties.
BNBI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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