Sr. Molecular Phage Biologist

We are seeking a Senior Molecular Phage Biologist (PhD level) to support the Wound Infection Department at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).

Duties include, but not limited to:

Supervises and performs research on phage and microbial pathogens of military relevance (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Shigella, Pseudomonas, etc.), including genetic modification of bacteriophages and bacterial hosts and animal testing.
• Independently plans, coordinates and performs microbiological studies and genetic studies of bacteriophages and bacterial pathogens, including animal modeling, under biosafety level 2 conditions.
• Acts as a Principle Investigator in managing multiple simultaneous research projects within the defined scope of work.
• Modifies established experimental techniques as required and establishes new techniques in the laboratory based on information provided in the scientific literature.
• Analyzes and reports experimental results.
• Maintains accurate and appropriate research records including maintaining laboratory notebooks compliant with standards of laboratory work (replicability) and with WRAIR/Army regulations.
• Contributes to and maintains knowledge of cutting edge principles and techniques required to accomplish the research duties.
• Trains and supervises junior scientific and technical staff to accomplish objectives.
• Oversees laboratory operations, including laboratory supplies and reagents, laboratory safety, orderliness and cleanliness.
• Regularly writes and publishes articles in peer reviewed scientific journals; prepares data for presentation at scientific meetings in accordance with WRAIR policy for Authorship of Manuscripts Sent to Scientific Journals.
• Prepares proposals and progress reports for performance of research projects.
• Integrates and coordinates scientific experiments for the group.
• Participates and leads planning sessions for program design and direction.
• Prepares human use and/or animal use protocols.
• Completes all required safety, biosafety and security training classes.
• Obtains all required occupational physical examinations, annual serologic tests and any required security clearances to conduct work in department laboratories.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen or Green Card Holder living in the U.S. for the past 3 out of 5 years

Clearance: Ability to obtain NACI

Education: MD or PhD in an appropriate discipline such as microbiology, bacteriology, bacteriophage biology or Molecular Biology

Years of Experience: 10-15 years of post-graduate experience

Certifications: N/A

Preferred Qualifications

Clearance: NACI

Education: MD or PhD in an appropriate discipline such as bacteriology, bacteriophage or Molecular Biology

Years of experience: 15+ years of post-graduate experience, with specialization in bacteriophage characterization and development in the context of ESKAPEE pathogens

Certifications: N/A

Technical Skills

• Experience with BSL-2 ESKAPEE pathogen research and related countermeasures
• Techniques for the genetic modification of ESKAPEE bacteria and bacteriophage
• In vitro and In vivo ESKAPEE pathogen infection models
• Molecular Biology techniques including cloning, PCR and sequencing
• Experience with performing advanced statistical analyses, including GraphPad Prism, SAS, R, etc.
• Experience with publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience with writing and submitting successful NIH, DoD and other government grants
• Experience leading and training large groups of scientists and technicians

Interpersonal Skills

• Leadership, Delegation, Critical Thinking, Multitasking, Communication, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making

Additional Information

Location: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Travel: 10%

Remote, Onsite, or Hybrid: Onsite

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Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, is an innovative small business committed to providing world-class technical, management, and training support services to government and public sector clients. We focus on people, processes, and performance to deliver superior results. Since our inception in 1997, our commitment to mission success and customer satisfaction has been recognized with exponential growth and exceptional past performance ratings. We accept challenging assignments and drive projects from the planning stages, through implementation, and into operations and support.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Final compensation for this position will be determined by various factors such as the Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

This position is filled through continuous recruitment and will remain open until a sufficient pool of applications has been received.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Tricare supplement, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance program, learning and development benefit, paid time off, and holidays.

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