Assistant Principal Investigator, Virology/Immunology - Battelle National Biodefense Institute

Salary Range: $82,867.92 To $136,912.21 Annually

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

Works with a team of scientists in the NBFAC at Biosafety Levels 2, 3, and 4 to develop, evaluate, and optimize immunoassays for toxin and microorganism detection, and to isolate, identify, and characterize viruses. Participates in casework involving viral culture and toxin detection from forensic evidence, following the ISO 17025 standard, in support of the FBI and other federal partners. Assists with project management and reporting of results.
   
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.
• Relevant experience in immunoassay development, toxinology, and/or virology.
• 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

• Assists in developing, evaluating, and optimizing toxin and virus identification and characterization methods used to conduct bioforensic analysis for casework, including traditional and flow cytometric immunoassays.
• Performs work with biological toxins and viruses in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 containment laboratories, with appropriate training. Ensures biosafety, biosurety and quality assurance standards for laboratory work are met.
• Assists with oversight and management of casework using ISO 17025-accredited and LRN methods. Helps maintain laboratory operations in a state of immediate readiness to conduct viral culture and detection of toxins from forensic samples.
• Reviews and gives input on analytical plans and reports, and provides opinions and interpretation of results. Maintains accurate records of analysis in a computerized Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Helps to assure projects are performed in compliance with all regulatory requirements and operational capability of assigned lab space to include maintenance of CDC select agent registration and ISO 17025 accreditation.
• Participates in training, implementation, and maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS). Reviews NBFAC data to ensure proper quality control.
• Assists with development of project plans, budgets, schedules, resource requirements, and experimental plans for Virology and Immunology projects. Receives formal or informal training in team management.
• Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• 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 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 test (may issue Authorizations).
• Prepares necessary SOPs, work instructions and other materials required to maintain the QMS under the ISO 17025 Standard.
• 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.