Biologist - CAMRIS

Overview

We are seeking a Biologist to support the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, MD. Our NIAID professional, technical, and scientific support personnel are part of a team focused on positively impacting millions of lives around the world. Candidates will work at a diverse and vibrant NIAID worksite to directly support ongoing research activities as a contractor team member. Take the next big step in 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

• Manage the execution of in vivo rodent research within the Malaria Insectary Facility.
• Perform a variety of procedures and techniques including (but not limited to) Plasmodium sporozoite dissection, in vitro functional assays, molecular cloning, PCR, cell culture, recombinant protein production, and multi-parameter flow cytometry.
• Expand and maintain mosquito cultures according to established protocols.
• Monitor the infection status of mosquitoes: blood feeding, natural transmission, and parasite isolations.
• Maintain malaria infected mosquito colonies and conduct in vivo malaria challenge experiments in rodents.
• Conduct pre-clinical evaluation (PK and PD experiments) for malaria vaccines and monoclonal antibodies in animal models.
• Develop methods to evaluate the protective effect of vaccines and mAbs in malaria in vivo models (via bioluminescence, immune- and clinical pathology analysis.
• Design rodent malaria layouts/challenges to establish new protocols, procedures, doses and risks for malaria experiments with the objective of providing data sets that support safe human testing.
• Proficiently perform common and specialized in vivo technical procedures necessary to maintain the progress of in vivo malaria experiments.
• Plan, execute, and arrange relevant experiments, techniques and procedures within appropriate quality standards and timelines.
• Regularly participate in meetings that are conducted to define vaccine development, antibodies, and manuscript publications on the area of malaria.
• Meticulously collect, analyze, interpret, and report data for presentations, reports, and publications from diverse malaria experiments.
• Record all procedures and research project data, data analyses, and analytical conclusions of analyses in government-authorized notebooks and electronic systems in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Monitor and maintain inventory of routine laboratory supplies to ensure maximum efficiency; make recommendations and prepare purchase requests as needed.
• Perform routine maintenance of the lab work area and specialized instruments and equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of four (4) years of related work experience.
• Requires extensive experience with relevant laboratory practices, materials, and practice.
• Must have hands on proficiency with common in vivo technical procedures in mice (compound administration, sample collection, imaging, surgery).
• Preferred experience in the following techniques is highly desirable: preclinical malaria mouse challenge models, mosquito salivary gland/midgut dissection, IVIS in vivo imaging, multi parameter flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, antibody/protein purification and characterization, ELISA, ELISPOT.
• Must strictly adhere to safety standards and lab policies and maintain compliance with necessary training.
• Possess strong oral and written 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.