Senior Scientist Infectious Disease Research

 

The Senior Scientist functions as a subject matter expert within the organization and has oversight of the scientific elements to ensure successful completion and/or implementation. This position analyzes and reports results for publication or to sponsor; provides instruction to other members of the project team; and collaborates with other senior members of the staff on projects/research. Highest level of individual contributor. Knowledgeable of emerging trends and may contribute to and influence best practice within discipline.

 

·        Perform role of Study Director (SD) and Scientific Subject Matter Expert (SME) on commercial or large government contracts and grants.

·        Directs in vivo and/or in vitro studies and oversees assay development/validation and other experiments conducted in Operations.

·        Partners with Business Development, Project Management, and Proposals to ensure successful client engagement, proposal development, study execution, and deliverables upon study completion.

·        In collaboration with the marketing support function in DDV, responsible for new pipeline development under IR&D funding.

·        Within defined policies and procedures, provides resolution to complex scientific problems within a specified program.

·        May serve as Pl on large government contract(s).

·        Participates in all required Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) training.

·        Works closely with Study Coordinator and/or Project Manager as Technical SME on assigned projects and will interface with client’s scientific staff as appropriate.

·        May assume the role of SD or Principal Investigator (PI) on commercial and government contracts.

·        Develops assays; completes study designs for infectious disease In Vitro and/or In Vivo studies.

·        Oversees and serves as a technical advisor for lab operations to execute assay development and validation experiments.

·        Writes study protocols and validation plans.

·        Supports troubleshooting assay issues in validation and sample analysis.

·        Participates in proposal generation and performs scientific/technical review.

·        Follows GLP practices to ensure all experimental data, including observations of unanticipated responses are accurately recorded and verified.

·        Ensures compliance to all regulatory and safety requirements for work with select agents.

·        Observes appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), GLP requirements, and study protocols.

·        Accountable for some level of revenue generation.

·        PhD in life sciences discipline plus at least 4 years’ relevant experience.

·        Proven track record of leading large government or commercial proposal generation and securement of funding.

·        Has advanced the field of knowledge in his/her specialty. Work directly impacts the present or future of the organization in significant ways.

·        Proficient in assay development/qualification and directing/mentoring validation methodologies for clinical trial support in a GLP environment.

·        Must demonstrate full competency under regulated environment (e.g. GLP, BSL-3/SA).

·        Ability to work in A/BSL-1, 2, and 3 environments.

·        Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

 

This position is in a laboratory environment (A/BSL 1, 2, & 3) and requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including (but not limited to):

·        Eye protection (Safety glasses and/or full face shield)

·        Respirator (varies based on tasks and barrier requirements)

·        Tyvek/scrub suits

·        Nitrile (or equivalent) gloves (varies based on tasks)

·        Hearing protection (varies based on tasks)

·        Immunizations are required for this position and are determined by the study/agent. Some examples include Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Smallpox, Polio, and Influenza. 

 

This position requires the following physical abilities including (but not limited to):

·        Performing work with utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.

·        Sitting for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.

·        Standing for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.

No certifications are required; however, training includes Good Laboratory Practices and annual training on safe handling of viruses. Radiation safety training may be required depending upon the assays utilized.