Biologist at CAMRIS in Bethesda, Maryland

Job Description:

Overview


We are seeking a Biologist 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

• Perform a wide spectrum of projects develop technical methods to enhance expression, purification and analytical strategies to start ground-up or refine existing methods.


• Facilitate mammalian and insect cell-based production of viral protein, multi-protein complexes, and higher order structures.


• Serve as the technical liaison to develop mRNA-based immunogens for various PREMISE and VRC animal studies.


• Co-ordinate PREMISE contracted projects to CROs or scientific research companies.


• Work with external partners, such as CROs or scientific research companies, to make sure the requested work is scientifically sound and delivered within the agreed-upon timelines.


• Collaborate with VIP and HIS to produce, purify and modify requested antibodies and variants.


• Develop multiplexing method to increase the throughput of expression screening in the lab.


• Aid in the rationale design of immunogens, probes, and binding antigens.


• Assist and collaborate on the design and development of viral proteins from multiple sources, specifically for use as B cell probes or serological analyses accordingly.


• Carry out purification efforts for production of candidate viral proteins for use in immune screening.


• Perform parallel purification of related or unrelated antigens, sometimes on a high throughput format.


• Develop high-throughput and automated protein purification methodology, where required.


• Produce research reagents using either transient expression techniques or by expansion of stable cell lines or pools.


• Liaise and perform experimental quality investigations e.g., antigenicity experiments on protein purification, optimization of cell culture conditions.


• Design, propose, and perform experiments in the area of protein purification process development, capturing and communicating the results in several formats, as well as research groups outside the VRC.


• Follow protocols to complete assays in an organized, aseptic, high-throughput manner.


• Work collaboratively with team members and collaborators to complete all tasks for the day, but also be accountable as an individual for personal tasks.


• Utilize various laboratory equipment such as Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC), centrifuge, pipettes, liquid nitrogen tank, and others.


• Work with dry ice, freezers, and liquid nitrogen tanks to store clinical samples, and perform clinical testing in a BSL-2 environment while always wearing appropriate PPE.


• Participate in project and laboratory meetings, keep current with the literature in the field and help assure the laboratory maintains its state-of-the-art status; publish results and studies in peer reviewed journals.


• Train junior member in the laboratory and co-ordinate with other members of the PREMISE team Human Immunology Section or Vaccine Immunology group to understand and achieve deliverable goals.

Qualifications

• MS with 3+ years or PhD with 1+ years in Protein Biochemistry or related area.


• Experience isolating proteins by column chromatography (affinity, IEx and SEC), FPLC, buffer exchange.


• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as plasmid cloning.


• Experience performing mammalian and insect cell culture and with aseptic technique.


• Experience working in a BSL-2 environment.


• Working knowledge of protein structural modelling and visualization (PyMol, Alphafold).


• Experience with immunoassays such as ELISAs and/or flow cytometry a plus.


• Ability to work well with others and independently.


• Knowledge of viral and vaccine immunology.


• Expertise in molecular biology and design of expression vectors, transfection techniques, screening of cells expressing recombinant proteins and knowledge of classical purification methods such as ammonium sulfate precipitation.


• Demonstrated ability to study biomolecular interactions using ELISA as well as the use of label-free methods such as BioLayer Interferometry and SPR.


• Familiarity with scientific graphing and statistics software (GraphPad Prism, etc.).


• Basic computer skills including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Background in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and/or biophysics.

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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