Scientist at CAMRIS in Bethesda, Maryland

Job Description:

Overview


We are seeking a Scientist to support the National Institutes of Health's (NIH), world renowned National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, MD. Our NIAID professional, technical, and scientific support personnel are part of a preeminent team focused on positively impacting millions of lives around the world with groundbreaking research. Candidates will work at a prominent, diverse and vibrant NIAID worksite to directly support exciting ongoing research activities as a contractor team member. Accelerate your career and apply below to help us make a difference.


CAMRIS International is a dynamic clinical research and international development firm that achieves innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective programs and research management services. We combine our proven systems with today's most effective, evidence-based best practices. Our core practice areas include: clinical research; vaccine research, microbiology and infectious disease research, development and production; biodefense; global health security; and HIV/AIDS programs.


Our employees enjoy a diverse, collegial environment where individual contributions matter at all levels. At CAMRIS, you will notably improve the lives of people at home and abroad.


Responsibilities

• Assist with protocol development and safety compliance for sorting infectious samples, ensuring compliance with international standards.


• Collaborate with internal and external partners for analyzing infectious samples, including tuberculosis and HIV co-infection studies.


• Develop, implement, and optimize novel cytometry-based techniques for analyzing and sorting antigen-specific B and T cells.


• Develop safety protocols for sorting unfixed SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and other infectious agents.


• Collaborate on projects to measure and analyze small extracellular vesicles (EVs) and other nanoparticles.


• Conduct research assays, analyze experimental data, interpret results, and produce comprehensive reports and summaries. Ensure the validity of laboratory data, addressing deviations and problems according to established protocols.


• Develop automated data analysis pipelines for reproducible summary data generation.


• Support the FTL in ongoing collaborations with equipment manufacturers to ensure that the VRC has access to and support to use the latest modifications and techniques on the analyzers and cell sorters.


• Identify and implement new flow cytometry-related technologies to enhance VRC's capabilities in deep profiling immune cells.


• Conduct routine basic and advanced training and educational efforts on flow cytometry methods and applications for researchers and collaborators, including safety and technical workshops for analyzers and cell sorters.


• Support FCC staff in continuously training over 200 VRC users on equipment use, biosafety practices and fundamental principles in the cell sorting facility.


• Train staff and users on all new equipment and ensure new equipment performs up to the existing standards and tolerances.


• Ensure that best practices in flow cytometry are implemented and educate FCC staff and VRC users accordingly.


• Assist with FCC operations, ensuring high-quality control, data accuracy, and compliance with regulatory standards, including data storage requirements. Responsibilities include maintaining existing sorting equipment, advising on the selection of new cutting-edge equipment, and maintaining data repositories that comply with NIAID and NIH policies.


• Operate and maintain existing equipment and provide guidance to the FTL on the selection and use of new, cutting-edge equipment.


• Support cell sorting projects with well-documented quality procedures and practices.


• Assist the FTL with the risk assessment program for all active cell sorting projects and advise researchers accordingly.


• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment, troubleshoot issues, and update procedural manuals and methods for the FCC cell sorting facility. Analyze laboratory testing reports and maintain detailed logs of all work-related activities.


• Identify and address unexpected test discrepancies, recommending solutions and devising new measurement methods. Interface with researchers, suppliers, reference labs, and equipment personnel to support operational needs.


• Develop and optimize fluorescent reagents to be used by the FCC and the VRC research staff.


• Ensure validated practices for all reagents and protocols used in the FCC for optimal detection and train VRC research staff accordingly.


• Present data internally through lectures and bench training, providing technical guidance and advice on data interpretations for internal laboratory scientists. Participate in internal presentations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or a related biomedical research field.


• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in flow cytometry and immunology.


• Current or former ISAC (International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry) Scholar, Emerging Leader, or Innovator.


• Expertise in risk assessment and providing biosafety recommendation for flow sorting samples of biological hazards.


• Extensive experience in regulatory compliance and quality assurance.


• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing cutting-edge flow cytometry techniques.


• Extensive experience in providing supervised and unsupervised single cell data analysis solutions for high-parameter flow cytometry.


• Experience in setting up immunophenotyping pipelines for high-dimensional flow cytometry.


• Proven record of successfully managing and leading scientific teams.


• Experience in working within a core/shared resource facility.


• Strong collaboration and effective communication skills.

CAMRIS International LLC offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.CAMRIS.com . CAMRIS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law.


Some positions or sites may require that the incumbent be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination may be required.


Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Public Trust-level background check, a requirement for this position under an active federal contract. The background check process may include, but is not limited to the following: (1) contacting your professional references; (2) verification of previous employment, education and credentials; (3) a criminal background check; (4) use/abuse of federally-controlled substances; and (5) a department of motor vehicle check. Candidates must be prepared to fully-complete any required background check questionnaire during initial onboarding.


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