Lead BioWatch Scientist

The Lead BioWatch Scientist will provide DCLSR with technical expertise and daily management subject matter expertise to CDC and DHS program leadership, BioWatch jurisdictions, and participating laboratories while leading the team’s daily assignments, technical activities, and project progress., * Provide subject matter expertise to CDC and DHS program leadership and BioWatch jurisdictions and laboratories.

• Maintain and validate quality of BioWatch products, procedures, and protocols.
• Monitor for accuracy and report daily laboratory results from database submissions.
• Analyze and interpret data from real-time PCR testing; troubleshoot sample analysis issues.
• Monitor program-wide communications with BioWatch laboratories and stakeholders to identify issues and propose solutions.
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for technical laboratory consultation and 24/7 on call for emergency response functions as required through an Interagency Agreement with DHS. This requires the use of government furnished cell phones and Wi-Fi hot spots.
• Validate new lots of LRN reagents utilized in the BioWatch program.
• Develop and evaluate future BioWatch detection technology.
• Provide subject matter expertise for BioWatch focus groups, workshops, exercises, and conferences.
• Provide training for new BioWatch laboratories as needed.
• Investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of new and improved LRN assays used within the BioWatch Program.
• Provide guidance to LRN program for customizing LRN assays used by BioWatch.
• Design and execute comprehensive R&D studies to assess and/or improve efficiency and effectiveness of BioWatch technologies including testing and validating new instrumentation and procedures, exploring efficacy of novel and emerging detection technologies for future use, and developing and executing experimental plans to improve existing methods.
• Investigate environmental samples in efforts to characterize background diversity using new technologies.
• Collaborate with LRN program to improve data management for BioWatch results.
• Provide in-person laboratory support to BioWatch jurisdiction as requested through DHS. This may include travel in conjunction with CLIN 0005 and 1005.
• Participate in planning and provide on-site support for National Special Security Events as requested by DHS.
• Conduct general laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance and monitoring, supply procurement and management, and preparing and maintaining the laboratory for inspections

• Master’s or PhD in microbiology, biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, medical sciences, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• 4 plus years as a senior scientist or team lead

Required:

• Five years supporting BioWatch, the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), or a comparable federal or public health biological-threat detection program.
• Four years providing scientific leadership, supervising laboratory personnel, or managing laboratory research and testing projects.
• Proficiency in real-time PCR, nucleic acid extraction, molecular assay development and validation, data interpretation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing and overseeing studies to evaluate laboratory methods, reagents, instrumentation, and detection technologies.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures, reviewing scientific findings, and maintaining laboratory quality and biosafety practices.
• Ability to coordinate multiple scientific projects, guide laboratory staff, and communicate technical recommendations to government stakeholders and partner laboratories.

Language Skills:

• The candidate must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English., * Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident or have authorization for employment in the United States.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

ASRT, Inc. provides scientific, information management, management consulting, bioinformatics, and administrative program support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Federal and private sector clients. The successful candidate will be a full-time employee of ASRT, Inc. and will be assigned to the Division of Core Laboratory Services and Response (DCLSR), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), at the CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA.