Website General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
DIT is seeking a Biological Scientist I to support WRAIR’s Structural Vaccinology Laboratory. The contractor shall act as an expert to ensure the conduct of studies leading up to clinical trials. The contractor shall be responsible for immunological evaluation of vaccines in preclinical models (mice and rhesus) and Phase 1 vaccine trials. Specifically the contractor shall:
- coordinate and conduct animal testing quality control, formulations and immunological assay development as directed by the Malaria Structural Vaccinology Branch;
- conduct writing of animal protocols and relevant sections of human use protocols and IND applications is required;
- provide guidance on immunology, vaccine formulation, and vaccine downselection studies;
- independently plan and execute complex immunological studies in mice and Rhesus (these trials may lead to GMP produced malaria vaccine candidates and enable Phase 1 trials);
- interact with multiple WRAIR departments such as Entomology, Animal Facility, Flow Lab, Regulatory Services as well as outside funders and collaborators to include industry partners;
- write animal protocol, amendments and reports for IACUC and serve as the Primary Investigator on the animal potency protocol;
- produce a series of laboratory protocols for immunological analysis of blood and liver stage vaccine products;
- duties may include developing functional assays to study biological function of antibodies.
- assist in researching novel immunological concepts that allow the writing of grant proposals and scientific manuscripts;
- support perform laboratory assay to analyze the immune responses induced by the animals;
- statistically analyze data and generate ready for communication and scientific papers;
- It is expected that contractor will keep the lab PI in the loop on experimental progress and work related communications in real-time;
- coordinate and write reports, work plans and scopes of work for MIDRP projects. The contractor shall maintain records, including paper and electronic files;
- provide assistance to other lab members with all job-related matters including training of junior staff, preparing progress reports/technical reports;
- support a safe workplace ensuring awareness of and observing appropriate safety and occupational health rules and regulations;
- maintain and operate Government owned laboratory equipment for production and characterization of vaccines and immune responses; and
- attend safety training relative to efforts in this task and report any infractions of safety procedures to the facility Safety Officer.