Molecular Virology Lead Technician
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for a Molecular Virology Lead Technician to support our government customer located in Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD.
Description of Responsibilities:
- Provide support with laboratory experiments in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories and work with controlled substances.
- Aid in the execution of scientific studies, basic cell culture, and plaque assays, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other assays, animal procedures, collection/data analyzing, assist in the preparation of technical reports, standard operating procedures, and manuscripts relating to their research efforts, and maintain laboratory and laboratory equipment.
- Serve as BSL-3 and/or BSL-4 mentor as needed.
- CONUS/OCONUS travel may be required in support of approved studies and/or presentation of scientific research.
- Prepare and participate in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory inspections conducted by Safety, Bio-surety, CDC, and/or the Department of Army Inspector General at a minimum of 4 times a year.
- Support 20-25 Non-human Primate studies, 40-50 rodent studies per year. Shall perform inoculations with virus, collecting tissue for processing and conduct bleedings. Shall perform Complete Blood Count (CBC), general chemistries, coagulation assays and other clinical laboratory-based assays on samples from animals.
- Perform basic cell culture, plaque assays (PA), plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), PCR and other assays to support Non-human Primate and rodent studies. Shall be proficient at completing neutralization assay for a variety of viruses. Workload is approximately 650 plates/assays per month.
- Perform in vitro testing of candidate vaccines and therapeutic compounds against a variety of viruses. May use 100-200 plates/assays per month.
- Perform immunological procedures including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western Blot assays. May perform 150 assays/month.
- Perform approximately 100 tubes/samples per month of flow cytometric analysis of cellular populations independently on multiple different flow cytometry machines in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories.
- Be responsible for assessing and maintaining laboratory supplies in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories. Shall assess supplies and ensure supplies are ordered or shall order supplies using GFEBS and/or DMLSS ordering system. Anticipated workload is 15-20 orders/monthly.
- Provide the TPOC a Research Technical Report NLT the last day of each week.
Required Degree/Education/Certification:
Must have a Bachelor's degree in related science field of study.
Required Skills and Experience:
- Must have at least ten (10) years' of relevant laboratory related experience supporting BSL-2, BSL-3, and/or BSL-4 environments.
- Must be proficient at completing flow cytometric analysis of cellular populations independently on multiple different flow cytometry machines in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories.
- Must have three (3) to five (5) years' experience as BSL-2, BSL-3, and/or BSL-4 lab supervisor and mentor.
- Must have direct experience supporting BSL-2, BSL-3, and/or BSL-4 laboratory inspections conducted by Bio-surety, CDC, and/or other regulatory and compliance auditing agencies.
Required Citizenship and Clearance:
- U.S. Citizen
- BPRP and CS-PRP enrollment required.
- Must pass NACI background check.
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries. Eligible full-time employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 11 paid holidays.
We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans. We do not illegally discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of any protected categories.
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is comprised of industry-recognized government service firms designated as Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned and 8(a) certified businesses.