Research Associate II - Agile Vaccines & Therapeutics Department - The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Research Associate II to perform research and/or development in collaboration with other scientific and technical staff. May exercise technical discretion in the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments that contribute to project strategies. 

This position will be in support of The Agile Vaccine & Therapeutics Department (AVAT) under the Defense Infectious Diseases Directorate (DIDD) at the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC), Silver Spring, MD.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Perform routine data analysis and basic interpretation, verifies, and corrects data entry.
• Trains junior laboratory staff in laboratory techniques and processes as needed.
• Conducts research in collaboration with scientific and technical staff.
• Performs complex laboratory tests, determinations, and analyses involving multiple procedures and a variety of technical approaches.
• May work on multiple projects at the same time.
• Conduct research in collaboration with other scientific and technical staff in the laboratory/department/institute.
• Conduct in vivo immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy studies in mice and/or non-human primates.
• Perform in vitro immunological assays to evaluate vaccine induced or pathogen specific humoral/cellular immune responses using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and/or plasma/serum samples.
• Perform data analysis and basic interpretation using statistical software packages such GraphPad Prism.
• Develop methods and procedures for assays, experiments, and
• Optimize protocols for immunoassays, to include FluoroSpot Assays, Intracellular Staining Assays for experiments in support of animal and clinical studies involving different infectious disease pathogens, including parasites, viruses, and bacteria.
• Document current or new procedures or protocols for sample selection, data collection, data processing, and/or statistical estimation.
• Analyze and prepare reagent and/or assay product documentation.
• Work in collaboration with the Principal Investigator/senior scientists to design novel experiments and advance state-of-the-art techniques.
• Assist in troubleshooting of instrumentation and test methods.
• Assist in maintenance of laboratory inventories, laboratory equipment monitoring (ex. Datatron monitoring freezers and CO₂ incubators) and tracking preventive maintenance/repair service schedules of laboratory equipment.
• Assist in preparing data presentations/reports, manuscripts (co-author the manuscripts), and grant applications.
• Write and assist with documenting experimental results for publication in technical reports and peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist in procuring laboratory reagents, supplies, and services.
• Assist with preparing data for presentations at scientific meetings and for publication in journals.
• Present data at lab meetings, project meetings, seminars, and scientific meetings.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.
• May include limited travel to attend seminars and required trainings.

 Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in scientific related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of complex laboratory procedures.
• Ability to meet deadlines of projects.
• Possess a basic understanding of cellular and humoral immunity to infectious diseases in natural immunity and induced by vaccines.
• Experience working with mice is preferred.
• Must have good written and oral communication and analytical skills.
• Exercise extreme attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and cross-cultural skills and the ability to work with a team of 3 or more members within the department and with other departments at NMRC.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to stand or sit at a computer or sit at a Biosafety Cabinet for prolonged periods.
• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Some positions or sites may require that the incumbent be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination may be required.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.