Staff Scientist II

Position Summary: The McConnell Group, www.themccgroup.com, a health science company, is seeking an experienced Staff Scientist to support a biosafety level 4 research laboratory. 

Required Screenings: Candidate MUST pass a government background check as well as maintain appropriate security clearances.  

Schedule: Monday to Friday 

Work Environment: National Bio and Agro Defense Research controlled access facility. Each employee must maintain compliance with all NBAF safety and security regulations. 

Position Responsibilities:

Perform common scientific processes associated with microbiology, molecular biology, virology, vaccinology, and/or biological chemistry, and provide quarterly reports on activities due at the end of every quarter. Sample tasks include:

1.       Insertion of recombinant DNA sequences into plasmids 
2.       Plasmid Production and purification 
3.       Antibody Production and purification 
4.       Adaptation of cell cultures to different culturing conditions 
5.       Plasmid transfection of cell culture 
6.       Viral infection of cell cultures 
7.       Determination of virus titers in samples 
8.       Determination of Virus-neutralizing titers in serum from animals 
9.       Evaluating of monoclonal and polyclonal antibody reactivities 

• Propagate biological materials (cells, viruses, cultures) to establish cryo-preservation banks. 
• Assist in the processing of blood, serum, plasma, and tissue samples from animals. 
• Assist in the installation and evaluation of BDM equipment and facilities. 
• Provide contract research/development scientific support to public and/or private research organizations in biologics. 
• Provide guidance for NBAF staff on equipment or programs which are specific to BSL’s, including, but not limited to: 

1.       Autoclaves 
2.       Thermal Tissue Autoclaves 
3.       Effluent Decontamination System 
4.       Dunk Tanks 
5.       Irradiators 
6.       Laboratory Safety Systems 
7.       Airflow Recommendations 
8.       Disinfection and Decontamination  
9.       Tier 1 Select Agent Regulations 
10.       High Containment Biosafety Operations 

 Documentation and Communication

• Provide Quarterly Reports  
• Develop and evaluate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for BDM equipment and facilities utilizing the provided NBAF SOP template. 
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date notebook covering laboratory activities. 

Teamwork and Continuous Improvement

• Work effectively within a team environment. 
• Demonstrate initiative and contribute ideas for process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the research mission. 

• PhD from an accredited university or college in a relevant field such as Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, or another relevant field is required.  
• 7+ years' experience biologics development conducted in a BSL-2 laboratory in the United States. 
• Experience with Mammalian Cell Culture, Hybridoma Cell Culture, Bacterial Cell Culture, Propagation of viruses, maintaining electronic inventory records, and processing of animal derived samples such as blood and tissues. 
• Maintain compliance with all NBAF safety and security regulations. 

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience with the production of complex recombinant proteins, such as virus-like particles, is strongly preferred. 
• Experience with the following applications: DARBI, MasterControl, and Maxim are strongly preferred.  
• Experience providing contract research/development scientific support to public and/or private research organizations in biologics is preferred. 
• 7-10 years' experience providing guidance for NBAF staff on equipment or programs which are specific to Biosafety Levels (BSL’s) is preferred.  

Benefits: The McConnell Group offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time employees. 

The McConnell Group Recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, creed, color, citizenship, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including termination, layoff, recall, transfer, and leaves of absence. 

As required by law, The McConnell Group participates in E-Verify, a service of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), to verify the identity and employment eligibility of persons hired to work in the United States. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify 

Applications can be submitted electronically or by submitting a paper resume to: The McConnell Group, Attention: Human Resources 1 Research Court, Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20850. 

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description/posting shall constitute an offer or promise of employment.