ARPA-H Senior Biomedical Research Scientist/Engineer SETA
Kelly Government Solutions is seeking a Senior Biomedical Research Scientist/Engineer SETA to support the mission office and funding initiatives for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Contractors for this position will provide critical administrative support and subject matter expertise to drive the commercialization of advanced health projects. Role is estimated to support a fully remote work arrangement that involves occasional travel to ARPA-H hubs for conferences and meetings. Please Note: Position is contingent upon contract award.
KEY Roles and Responsibilities
- Candidates are requested to support development and management of projects and initiatives in topics pertaining to applications of synthetic biology at the intersection of detection, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
- Current and planned efforts include discovery, development and validation of machine learning models of the “molecular grammar” of protein folding, mis-folding, and phase separation; discovery of novel biomarkers of protein mis-folding; development and validation of innovative tools, models, and platforms for the rapid discovery and prototyping of novel protein aggregation targets and therapeutics; and manipulation of phase separation and biomolecular condensates for new-to-biology compartmentalization and functionality.
- Ideal candidates will have experience in biochemistry (including analysis of intrinsically disordered proteins [IDRs], amyloid-forming proteins, and biomolecular condensates in vitro and in vivo); development of novel in vitro and in vivo assay and model systems; neurological consequences of IDRs/amyloid proteins in neurodegenerative disorders; biological engineering and synthetic biology approaches for IDRs to enable biological/operational biotechnology platforms; development of novel detection platforms; structural biology; medical diagnostics; design, development, and prototyping of cell-free biomanufacturing platforms; materials science; biosecurity and bioethics; clinical/animal studies; neurodegenerative diseases; regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA Q-submission); countermeasure development; and test and evaluation.
- Supporting the development and management of new and existing ARPA-H programs.
- Provide subject matter expertise in immunology, nucleic acid therapeutics, synthetic biology, materials science, and/or applied biotechnology.
- Evaluate technical proposals for scientific merit and innovation. Provide feedback, organize reviewer comments, draft recommendations and project summaries, and presentation materials.
- Coordinate independent verification and validation (IV&V).
- Handle a wide variety of tasks, such as briefing support and general administrative actions.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in fields relevant to the support of immunology, nucleic acid therapeutics, synthetic biology, materials science, and applied biotechnology.
- Candidates should have a breadth of expertise allowing them to assess technologies across a broad range of applications.
- Ideal candidates will have experience in:
- Biochemistry (including analysis of intrinsically disordered proteins [IDRs], amyloid-forming proteins, and biomolecular condensates in vitro and in vivo);
- Development of novel in vitro and in vivo assay and model systems;
- Neurological consequences of IDRs/amyloid proteins in neurodegenerative disorders;
- Biological engineering and synthetic biology approaches for IDRs to enable biological/operational biotechnology platforms;
- Development of novel detection platforms;
- Structural biology;
- Medical diagnostics;
- Design, development, and prototyping of cell-free biomanufacturing platforms;
- Materials science;
- Biosecurity and bioethics;
- Neurodegenerative diseases;
- Regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA Q-submission);
- Countermeasure development; and
- Test and evaluation.
- Ideal candidates will additionally have experience coordinating independent verification and validation, and previous experience managing programs with cooperative agreements, OTA awards, milestone-based contracts, FFRDCs, interagency efforts, and commercialization efforts.
- Candidates should have strong technical writing skills, ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to broad audiences, digest basic and applied research across areas of biotechnology and apply to health capability gaps and demonstrates a willingness to explore the scientific literature for emerging biotechnology.
- Demonstrated experience serving in a consultant capacity supporting multiple projects in a constantly changing, fast paced environment.
- Robust personal networks and display broad industry knowledge. Understanding of the Advanced Research Projects Agencies (ARPA) model (ARPA-H, DARPA, ARPA-I, etc.) experience is a plus.
- Strong communication skills, work ethic, and passion for scientific discovery.
- US Citizenship and/or lawful permanent residency is required as per contract requirements.
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research, Science, and Administrative
Industries
Government Administration, Biotechnology Research, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing