Senior Microbiologist

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Work-life balance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a highly motivated microbiologist to join the Biological Sciences Group in Laurel, MD, focusing on engineering microbial pathways, biocorrosion, and biomaterials. You will lead projects, mentor teams, and collaborate with sponsors to advance defensible, molecular biology-based solutions.

You will work with diverse microbes and non-model organisms, develop new assays, and contribute to both internal and external initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD in microbiology or closely related field required.
• 1+ year designing, running, and troubleshooting diverse biological assays.
• Web-lab experience with culturing, assaying and manipulating bacteria.
• Proficiency in DNA/RNA manipulation, qPCR, plate-reader assay development and microscopy.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain Interim Secret clearance and eventually TS/SCI.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects on engineering non-model microbes and related systems.
• Collaborate across teams to develop and execute research in metabolic pathways, biocorrosion, and biomaterials.
• Support business development activities, including proposals and project execution.
• Present data to interdisciplinary groups and external sponsors.
• Develop relationships with sponsors and drive technical innovation.

Skills

Biological assays

Web-lab

Molecular biology

DNA/RNA manipulation

qPCR

Plate-reader

Microscopy

Security clearance

Education

PhD in Microbiology

PhD in Molecular Biology

PhD in Biological Engineering

Job description

Overview

Do you marvel at the complexity of biology and seek to leverage microbiology in creative ways? Do you want to explore the microbes that enable our daily lives and are pivotal to our National Security? Do you love contributing your microbiology subject matter expertise to an interdisciplinary team of scientists focused on application development for National Defense? If you answered yes, join our team in the Biological Sciences Group at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).

We are seeking a highly motivated microbiologist to contribute to a team focused on engineering microbial metabolic pathways, biocorrosion, and biomaterials. As part of the Biological Sciences Group, in the Research Exploratory Development Department, you will support APL’s mission to provide impactful contributions to critical challenges and build expertise in molecular biology for national-security-oriented challenges.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to projects involving engineering of non-model microbes.
• Work with a variety of non-model fungi and bacterial systems.
• Lead projects and teams for both internally funded and externally funded efforts in the research areas above.
• Support new business development activities to expand program scope within the Research and Exploratory Development Department and other business areas across APL, including concept development, proposal writing, and project execution.
• Provide leadership in the development of new opportunities and support internal initiatives, driving technical innovation and growth in areas relevant to APL sponsors.
• Participate in the broader APL community by presenting data to interdisciplinary groups and to department management.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external sponsors.
• Assist and collaborate with scientists in support of laboratory-based experimentation.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biological Engineering, or a similar field.
• 1+ year of experience designing, running, and troubleshooting a wide range of biological assays.
• Web-lab experience culturing, assaying, and manipulating bacterial species.
• Proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA manipulation and analysis, qPCR and plate-reader assay development, and microscopy techniques.
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by start date and ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Beyond Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with non-model organisms such as Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans.
• Expertise culturing and manipulating anaerobic microbes.
• Experience with assays characterizing microbial surface colonization and biofilm formation.
• Experience with genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, or biomaterials.
• Experience with environmental microbiology, fungi, or microbiome systems.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to defense, security, space, and science challenges. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates. We celebrate diverse perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including education assistance, retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.

APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, familial status, political opinion, or any other characteristic protected by law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on location, experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level, with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated. APL may offer bonuses or other compensation per internal policy. Additional compensation may be provided as a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Compensation

Minimum Rate: $105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate: $290,000 Annually