R&D Associate, Vaccine Immunology

Job ID: req4104

Employee Type: exempt full-time

Division: Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer

Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick

Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and 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.

**We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please contact Talent Acquisition, [email protected], if you have questions about the pay range for this position.**

Program Description

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and 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.

The Vaccine, Immunity, and Cancer Directorate (VICD) at the Frederick National Laboratory 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 clinical and pre-clinical studies. More recently, VICD is also leading initiatives on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines.

The mission of the Cancer ImmunoPrevention Lab (CIPL) within the VICD is to serve as a reference and technical support laboratory, developing novel cancer vaccines towards the ultimate goal of clinical evaluation. This process included synthesis and characterization of mRNA-, peptide-, and VLP-based vaccines, in vitro screening, and in vivo testing in mouse models for both immunogenicity and tumor efficacy. Vaccine T and B cell responses are thoroughly characterized by ELISPOT, flow cytometry, Luminex, epitope-mapping, immunohistochemistry, and single cell sequencing. Numerous methods for enhancing and optimizing vaccine antigen expression, immune activity, and efficacy are under exploration.

Our core values of accountability, compassion, collaboration, dedication, integrity, and versatility serve as a guidepost for how we do our work every day in serving the public’s interest.

Key Roles/Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform tissue culture and immunological/virological techniques, including aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, production of plasmids and virus-like particles.
• Produce RNA constructs through in vitro transcription, then test antigen expression through mass spectrometry and Western blot.
• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessment of immune responses to infection and vaccines.
• Plan and conduct experiments in mouse vaccine models.
• Perform immunological assays that include ELISA, ELISPOT, Luminex assays, flow cytometry, cell-based neutralization assays, immunohistochemistry.
• Design and implement protocols, as well as troubleshoot assays and experiments independently.
• Evaluate, analyze and compile data, maintain databases.
• Responsible for routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment and inventories.
• Prepare reports, present data and participate in report and proposal preparation.
• Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques.
• May supervise lab personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

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

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree in immunology, vaccinology, or molecular biology from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of five (5) years of related experience with strong biomedical laboratory experience.
• Detailed knowledge of vaccines, immunology, and virology.
• Expertise in tissue culture and immunological/virological techniques, including aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, production of plasmids and virus-like particles, Western blot, ELISA, ELISPOT, Luminex assays, flow cytometry, virus neutralization assays and PCR.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• MS or Ph.D. in immunology, vaccinology, virology or molecular biology.
• Experience with managing lab operation, i.e. inventory, equipment.
• Experience in immune assays (ELISA, ELISPOT, flow cytometry) development and validation.
• Experience handling large data sets, statistics, software tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Expertise in molecular biology techniques including plasmid DNA cloning, RNA synthesis, sequencing, microarray, single cell genomics, RNASeq.
• Experience using robotics.
  
  

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations.
  
  

Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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