Research Associate III

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Research Associate III to perform research and/or development in collaboration with other scientific and technical staff. Exercise technical discretion in the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments that contribute to project strategies. Provide training and guidance for lower-level Research Associates and laboratory staff.

This position will be in support of the Agile Vaccines and Therapeutics (AVAT) Department/Directorate for DoD Infectious Diseases (DDID) Research/Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

Note: This site requires that non U.S. Citizens reside in the United States for three of the five recent years. 

• Works in collaboration with the Principal Investigator/senior scientists to design novel experiments and advance state-of-the-art techniques.
• Performs complex data analysis and interpretation, verifies, and corrects data entry.
• Performs complex laboratory tests, determinations, and analyses involving multiple procedures and a variety of technical approaches. Performs T- and B-cell FluoroSpot Assays, Intracellular Staining Assays, and Immunofluorescence Assays to identify and optimize antigens and epitopes.
• Performs in vitro immunological assays to evaluate vaccine-induced or pathogen-specific humoral/cellular immune responses using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and/or plasma/serum samples.
• Develops methods and procedures for experiments and investigations.
• Optimizes protocols for FluoroSpot Assays, Intracellular Staining Assays for experiments involved in different clinical studies involving different pathogens, including malaria and SARS-CoV-2, and Influenza.
• Prepares data reports with results of experiments for progress reports, technical reports, and manuscripts.
• Assists with drafting technical reports, progress reports, grant proposals, and manuscripts.
• Analyzes and prepares reagent and/or assay product documentation.
• Documents current or new procedures or protocols for sample selection, data collection, data processing, and/or statistical estimation.
• Mentors, reviews, and supervises junior laboratory staff in the planning, execution, and analysis of experiments. Helps team members and summer students in the understanding of the projects, flow of the experiment design, and concepts of various assays, acquisition and interpretation of data, and data presentations.
• Presents data at scientific meetings.
• Assists in maintenance of laboratory inventories, laboratory equipment monitoring (ex. Datatron monitoring freezers and CO2 incubators) and tracking preventive maintenance/repair service schedules of laboratory equipment.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigned Lead: May recommend the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, provide input on employee performance evaluations.

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree required in life science or related field.
• Minimum of 6-8 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess a good understanding on basic immunology of cellular and humoral immunity to infectious diseases and vaccines.
• Hands-on experience and problem-solving skills in in vitro immunological assays (Ex. T and B cell assays, Mesoscale assay, ELISA), cell culture techniques and High parameter (multi-color) flow- cytometry technique.
• Knowledge of extremely complex laboratory procedures. Ability to meet deadlines of projects.
• Good communication (verbal and written) and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and cross-cultural skills.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check. 

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Some positions or sites may require that the incumbent be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination may be required.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.