Research Associate Supervisor - Influenza Immunology (VICD)

Key Roles/Responsibilities

• Oversee laboratory projects from conception to execution
• Responsible for sample management and inventory
• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessment of immune responses to infections and vaccines
• Plan experiments and conduct testing of large number of samples from clinical studies
• Design and implement protocols, as well as troubleshoot assays and experiments independently and assist laboratory staff to advance the experiments or studies
• Evaluate, analyze and compile data, and maintain databases
• Responsible for routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment and inventories
• Prepare reports, present data and participate in report and proposal preparation
• Contribute or write SOPs or protocols in Master Control
• Utilize Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for laboratory operation
• Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience, including one (1) years of experience in a leadership/manager capacity
• Deep knowledge of viral immunology, in particular influenza immunology
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments
• Experience in development, validation and implementation of advanced immunological assays, including ELISA and antibody-based serological assays, such as for avidity and isotype characterization, Multiplex platforms (e.g., Luminex), using high-throughput immunogenicity testing systems
• Experience in performing T-cell and B-cell epitope mapping and T-cell and B-cell functional analyses, using multi-color flow cytometry and other technologies
• Proficiency in multicolor or spectral flow cytometry, including panel design, acquisition, and high-dimensional analysis.
• Experience in cellular and molecular biological techniques, including tissue culture, including aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, production of plasmids and virus-like particles, western-blot, virus neutralizing assays, plaque assays, and PCR
• Maintains current knowledge of emerging relevant scientific literature and immune profiling technologies
• Ensures assay rigor, reproducibility, and compliance with GCLP/GLP standards where applicable
• Flexibility to adopt new emerging techniques and technologies and to troubleshoot effectively
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality, consistent results in a timely fashion
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects effectively and meet timelines successfully
• Experience with managing and analyzing large data sets and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex scientific data
• Excellent record keeping and organizational skills
• Exceptional critical thinking and commitment to scientific rigor and reproducibility
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PPT
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (written and oral)
• Facility with LIMS and Master Control (or other electronic documentation system)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of Master’s degree or PhD
• Experience supporting immunology components of clinical trials, including multi-omics projects
• Familiarity with integrated immune profiling approaches combining serological, cellular, and molecular data
• Experience with robotics and electronic documentation systems and LIMS
• Experience in laboratories operating under GCLP/GMP/GLP/CLIA
• Familiarity with human research subject requirements and regulations