USAMRIID Antiviral Drug Discovery and Infectious Disease Research

Oak Ridge Associated Universities; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Training and Travel Allowance

Job summary

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through ORISE is offering an opportunity at USAMRIID to engage in translational antiviral drug discovery. You will work on recombinant protein expression and purification, biochemical screening assay development, computational modeling, and preclinical models in organoids and zebrafish, under mentorship.

The role emphasizes integrating protein science, computational analysis, and antiviral drug discovery with advanced disease models to advance potential

Qualifications

• The qualified candidate will be completing (by December 31, 2026) or have an earned doctoral degree in any of the disciplines listed in the opportunity's Eligibility criteria.
• Postdoctoral degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Responsibilities

• Designing, expressing, purifying, and characterizing recombinant viral and host proteins to support biochemical and structural studies.
• Applying computational tools to analyze protein structure and function, identify potential binding pockets, and map small-molecule interactions.
• Developing and using biochemical and cell-based assays to evaluate candidate antiviral compounds and investigate their mechanisms of action.

Skills

Protein expression

Protein purification

FPLC/AKTA

Structural biology tools

AlphaFold

PyMOL

Rosetta

Molecular docking

DEL screening

Education

Doctoral degree

Tools

FPLC/AKTA

Chromatography systems

Job description

What will I be doing?

As an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) participant, you will engage in efforts to advance translational antiviral drug discovery. Research activities will include recombinant protein expression and purification, biochemical screening assay development, computational structural modeling, cell-based antiviral validation studies, and exposure to preclinical small-animal research models.

Why Should I Apply?

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will engage in research activities that include, but are not limited to:

• Designing, expressing, purifying, and characterizing recombinant viral and host proteins to support biochemical and structural studies.


• Applying computational tools to analyze protein structure and function, identify potential binding pockets, and map small-molecule interactions.


• Developing and using biochemical and cell-based assays to evaluate candidate antiviral compounds and investigate their mechanisms of action.


• Gaining experience with high-throughput phenotypic drug screening and anti-viral assays and applying promising therapeutic candidates in organoid and zebrafish disease models, with opportunities to support subsequent preclinical small-animal studies.


• Learning research that integrates protein science, computational analysis, and antiviral drug discovery with advanced disease models, including organoids and zebrafish, to evaluate promising therapeutic candidates.

Where will I be located?

Frederick, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

The USAMRIID is ready to make appointments immediately. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and internships or fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length?

Appointments are initially for one year with the option to extend the appointment for up to four additional years, contingent upon project needs and funding availability.

What are the provisions?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by MRIID. The stipend range for this opportunity is $70,000-$80,000/12-month appointment. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other provisions may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)


• Training and Travel Allowance

Security Clearance

While participants will not enter an employment relationship with DoD or any other agency, this opportunity will require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is considered tentative pending favorable outcome of the investigation.

About MRIID

USAMRIID's reputation has been built over the years by numerous scientists and technical staff working to protect both military personnel and civilians from the threat of infectious diseases. The Institute participates in support of emerging disease investigations, working alongside colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. As a reference laboratory for the Department of Defense, USAMRIID sets the standard for identification of biological agents. The Institute's workforce represents some of the top infectious disease and biological defense experts in the Nation—indeed, in the world. For more information about the MRIID, please visit https://usamriid.health.mil/.

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will be completing (by December 31, 2026) or have an earned doctoral degree in any of the disciplines listed in the opportunity's Eligibility criteria. Postdoctoral degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with recombinant protein expression systems and chromatography-based purification techniques (FPLC/AKTA).


• Exposure to or an enthusiastic willingness to learn—computational structural biology tools (such as AlphaFold, PyMOL, Rosetta, or basic molecular docking software) to visualize protein-protein interactions and guide bench-level assay design.


• Exposure to small-molecule library screening and or DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL).

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile


• Educational and Employment History


• Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)


• Transcripts/Academic Records - Please upload a copy of a transcript for your current or most recent degree program that meets the disciplinary qualifications of the opportunity. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.


• Two Recommendations. We encourage you to contact your recommenders as soon as you start your application to ensure they are able to complete the recommendation form promptly and to let them know to expect a message from Zintellect. Your application is not considered “complete” until the recommendations are added. You can log back in to your Zintellect account and check the status of your application.

Stipend

$70,000.00 – $80,000.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Kimberly

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026 11:59:00 PM.