Junior Scientist I/Bactertiophage Therapeutics

Odyssey is seeking a Jr Scientist I to support the Bacteriophage Therapeutics group in the Wound Infections Department (WID) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). The Junior Scientist I will lead research projects on the development of bacteriophage countermeasures to multidrug resistant infections of military relevance.

Duties include, but not limited to:

Design and develop Bacteriophage cocktails for the treatment of MDR organisms of military relevance
• Conduct gene-deletion or mutagenesis studies on bacterial isolates
• Design and execute novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomic assays and algorithms for detecting resistance determinants
• Implement high-throughput whole bacteriophage genome sequencing
• Lead data analysis and interpretation
• Centralize and standardize inventory characterization and reporting of MDR organisms and bacteriophage
• Design and deploy bioinformatics pipelines and analytical approaches
• Prepare and manage research proposals to DoD and other government funding agencies.
• Communicate research findings to stakeholders, enterprise clients, collaborators, the scientific community and the general public through posters, presentations, patents, manuscripts, and other periodic or special reports
• Lead a team of researchers to methodically advance the development of bacteriophage products
• Participate in strategic planning and study design.
• Establish collaborations with outside research groups

Minimum Required Qualifications

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen

Clearance: Ability to obtain NACI

Education: MS in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology or another related scientific field

Years of Experience: Minimum of 3 years' experience in at least one of the following areas: Bacteriology, Phage Biology, Bacteriophage Therapeutics Development and Pathogen Discovery

Certifications: N/A

Preferred Qualifications

Clearance: NACI

Education: PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology or another related scientific field

Years of experience: 3+ years' experience in at least one of the following areas: Bacteriology, Phage Biology, Bacteriophage Therapeutics Development and Pathogen Discovery

Certifications: N/A

Technical Skills

• Experience with microbiology of bacterial pathogens and antibacterial development, specifically bacteriophage.
• Proficiency in a range of basic and sophisticated microbiological laboratory techniques including bacterial cell culture
• Experience with animal surgical techniques.
• Must have ability to perform work at a high level of accuracy and maintain detailed records of research.
• Strong computer skills and experience with relevant software including MS Office, GraphPad Prism and data analytic programs.
• Experience with preparing and submitting grant proposals to Federal agencies such as the DoD or NIH
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems and elucidate root causes of experimental failures.

Interpersonal Skills

• Communication, Leadership, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Reliability, Attention to Detail, Enthusiasm, Multitasking

Additional Information

Location: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Travel: 5%

Remote, Onsite, or Hybrid: Onsite

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Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, is an innovative small business committed to providing world-class technical, management, and training support services to government and public sector clients. We focus on people, processes, and performance to deliver superior results. Since our inception in 1997, our commitment to mission success and customer satisfaction has been recognized with exponential growth and exceptional past performance ratings. We accept challenging assignments and drive projects from the planning stages, through implementation, and into operations and support.

Please note: Final compensation for this position will be determined by various factors such as the Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities