Viral Measurement Tools and Reference Materials

National Institute of Standards and Technology; Gaithersburg, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking candidates to join the Viral Measurement Tools and Reference Materials team within PREP. The role involves maintaining viral portfolios, performing cultures and plaque assays, and developing reference materials for metagenomic assays.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in a related field and has extensive laboratory experience with viruses and cell culture, plus strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology/virology/microbiology or related field.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with viral culture and plaque assays is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and characterize a portfolio of diverse viruses (up to BSL-2) to meet stakeholder needs.
• Perform viral and eukaryotic cell culture, plaque assays, and develop viral culture protocols.
• Assist in planning and executing viral reference material development for metagenomic assays.
• Contribute to virome and viral metagenomic measurement projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders in microbiome and pathogen detection communities.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and present results.

Education

Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology, Virology, Microbiology, or a related field

Job description

Viral Measurement Tools and Reference Materials

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.

The work will entail

The NIST Material Measurement Laboratory is seeking qualified persons (U.S. Citizens preferred) to contribute to cutting-edge research projects aimed at developing viral measurement tools and reference materials in service of expanding the NIST portfolio of microbial measurement assurance to better serve stakeholder. A successful applicant will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team working with cutting-edge technologies in the NIST Complex Microbial Systems Group . They will contribute to a growing program supporting technology development in the areas of biosurveillance and microbiome.

Duties

• Responsible for maintaining (onboarding, culturing, characterizing) a portfolio of diverse viruses (up to BSL-2) to meet varied stakeholder needs
• Perform viral and eukaryotic cell culture, plaque assays, optimization and development of viral culture protocols
• Project planning and assistance in the execution of viral reference material development to support metagenomic assay development
• Project planning and assistance in the development of virome and viral metagenomic measurements
• Project planning and assistance in the development of complex matrix base reference materials
• Consult and work with stakeholders in the microbiome and pathogen detection communities
• Keep accurate and organized electronic records
• Present results of the work in the form of reports, manuscripts, oral presentations

Required Skills, Expertise, and Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology, Virology, Microbiology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Viral culture experience with a minimum of 5 different viral families.
• Mammalian cell culture experience with a minimum of 5 different cell lines.
• Experience developing, measuring, and optimizing plaque assays.
• Experience developing and optimizing viral culture and infectivity assays.
• Experience developing, measuring, and optimizing the infectivity of non-cytopathic viruses.
• Experience isolating viruses from complex matrices.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

An Associate at NIST is not a federal employee but collaborates with NIST on research projects of mutual interest and does not work exclusively on NIST mission-related activities. If you have any questions, please contact the International and Academic Affairs Office at [e-mail] .