Research Associate Supervisor - Influenza Immunology (VICD)

About the role

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate (VICD) at the Frederick National Laboratory is seeking a Research Associate Supervisor to support the Scientific Manager in managing a laboratory team. This role involves overseeing laboratory projects, managing sample inventory, optimizing and validating assays, conducting large-scale sample testing, and preparing reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee laboratory projects from conception to execution
• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessing immune responses to infections and vaccines
• Plan experiments and conduct testing of large number of samples from clinical studies
• Design and implement protocols, troubleshoot assays and experiments independently, and assist laboratory staff
• Evaluate, analyze, and compile data, maintain databases
• Contribute or write Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or protocols in Master Control
• Utilize Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for laboratory operation
• Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques
• Ensure assay rigor, reproducibility, and compliance with GCLP/GLP standards where applicable
• Flexibility to adopt new techniques and troubleshoot effectively
• Work independently and deliver high-quality, consistent results in a timely manner
• Prioritize multiple projects effectively and meet timelines successfully
• Manage and analyze large data sets and 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)
• Familiar with LIMS and Master Control (or other electronic documentation system)

Requirements

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Prioritize multiple projects effectively and meet timelines successfully
• Manage and analyze 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)
• Familiar with LIMS and Master Control (or other electronic documentation system)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Prioritize multiple projects effectively and meet timelines successfully
• Manage and analyze 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)
• Familiar with LIMS and Master Control (or other electronic documentation system)