ORAU has a contingent job opportunity for Biologist in support of the overall functions of the Office of the Scientific Director of the Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), located in Gaithersburg, MD. The positions are contingent on award of an upcoming contract with NIAID Professional, Scientific and Technical Support Services. Salary for positions will be determined based on education and experience. Relocation support is not available for this position.

ORAU has been providing scientific and technical talent staffing solutions and designing, managing, and evaluating jobs and internships for more than 70 years. ORAU assists in connecting the best and most diverse group of students, recent graduates, faculty and professionals with world-class fellowships, internships and job opportunities, whether in national laboratories, research institutions, federal government offices or private sector R&D departments.

Technical Requirements:

• Support the Downstream Process Development group of the Vaccine Production Program (VPP) Labs of the Vaccine Research Center.
• Develop downstream (purification) processes, under the supervision of a project lead scientist, for recombinant proteins, virus vaccines, and virus-like particles (VLP) that may be used as clinical vaccine candidates.
• Serve as a functional lead in either chromatography or filtration (Normal flow and tangential flow filtration) purification process steps for a given project.
• Work independently and collaboratively within the purification group to design, develop and optimize chromatography and filtration step unit operations to support process development of clinical trial vaccine candidates and mAb products.
• Purify research-phase recombinant proteins, virus vaccines and/or virus-like particles in support of other groups at the VRC.
• Work to prepare necessary materials (buffers, packed columns, etc.) in support of downstream process activities.
• Support technology transfer of processes to VRC Pilot Plant for manufacture of clinical products.
• Develop novel techniques/protocols for process development, including high-throughput and/or robotics-based methods.
• Perform protein/small molecule conjugation experiments to support method development or conjugate-based vaccine candidates.
• Write and review technical protocols and reports.
• Analyze and compile data, present at various group/department meetings.

• B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related Life Sciences field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in recombinant protein purification.
• Development and tech transfer for GMP clinical-phase production is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of maintaining accurate and detailed records.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the following techniques or tools for protein purification and characterization:
  • Column chromatography for protein purification by means of AEX, CEX, affinity, SEC, HIC
  • Column packing and testing
  • AKTA chromatography system
  • Lab scale TFF systems
  • Qualitative assays including SDS-PAGE and Western Blot
  • UV/vis spectrophotometer
• Must be a team player who can effectively work with members from cross-functional departments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with computer software including word processing and data evaluation.
• Expert knowledge of Excel and/or other database systems/
• Knowledge and use of statistical design of experiments (DoE).

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (5 )
  • Engineering (3 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )