Job Description

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports DHS and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.

NBACC includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts experiments and studies to obtain data required for a better understanding of biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

As part of the NBACC Aerobiology Team, the Research Scientist works with an interdisciplinary team of scientists in the NBTCC to develop, manage, and analyze research projects focused on characterization of the physical, biological and/or pathogenic properties of infectious biological aerosols in order to address specific scientific questions of national significance in support of biodefense preparedness, response and recovery planning. This position will also serve as the Technical Staff Supervisor (TSS) for the Aerobiology Team and directly supervise technical staff members of this group.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline or engineering, and a minimum of 9 years related experience or a Master’s degree and a minimum of 7 years of experience.
• Laboratory experience with characterization of the physicochemical, biological and/or pathogenic properties of infectious biological aerosols. This experience may include any of the following: assessment of aerosol generation equipment, including measurement of particle/droplet size distributions; characterization of the performance of aerosol sampling equipment and methodologies; characterization of the physicochemical properties of aerosol particles and their influence on particle transport in the environment and within the respiratory tract; assessment of filtration and decontamination methodologies; development of animal models of inhalational infectious disease; or assessment of medical countermeasure efficacy against inhalational disease.
• Highly skilled scientific proficiency in laboratory functions. Possesses the ability to identify issues and recommend solutions to institutional science protocols, procedures, and experimental plans.
• Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
• Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination desirable.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC’s management system (e.g., ISO).
• Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
• Participation in the Immunization Program is required, Medical Surveillance Program, and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• May be required to participate in NBACC’s alternative work and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides expertise to inform design, execution, analysis and interpretation of scientific data related to the physicochemical, biological and/or pathogenic properties of infectious biological aerosols.
• Determines methods and procedures for new assignments, including experimental plans and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development. Collaborates with other NBACC staff and external scientists in the design and evaluation of novel test systems.
• Provides mentoring of project personnel on techniques on which the employee is considered to be a subject matter expert (SME).
• With minimal supervision, operates, maintains, and characterizes the performance of equipment used for the aerosol studies.
• Provides technical support to multiple projects simultaneously, working on assignments requiring considerable independent judgement and initiative. May serve as a project lead in the conduct of studies in biosafety level 2 through 4 containment laboratories. Directs, prioritizes, schedules, and provides technical expertise to project staff to conduct work.
• Assists the Chief Scientist in recommending staff for projects, while providing direct oversight of designated staff members. Participates in Human Resource activities including annual and mid-year performance reviews, staff professional development and mentoring/counseling, promotion and salary actions, and interviewing and hiring of new staff.
• Consistently performs work on complex scientific projects requiring independent action and high degree of initiative, while developing scientific experimental plans to produce a consistent high quality science product.
• May be an informal team leader who makes institutional-level contributions, anticipates issues and opportunities to improve, and builds group consensus approaches.
• Participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols including writing and updating NBACC SOPs, work instructions and forms to improve NBACC’s ability to serve its customers.
• Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
• Serves as a member of a team in developing, validating, and maintaining methods for identifying and characterizing biological threat agents.
• Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
• Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
• Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other assigned duties.

BNBI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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