Research Associate

Odyssey Systems has an exciting new opportunity for a Research Associate supporting the WRAIR - Department of Diarrheal Disease Research (DDR). Diarrheal diseases, notably Shigella, are a major source of morbidity among deployed U.S. military and a significant threat to readiness. To that end, BDB aims to develop a safe and effective vaccine against multiple Shigella strains to protect personnel overseas and keep Soldiers in the fight. This position is perfect for a recent college graduate who is interested in getting great training from a top notch team.

Duties include, but not limited to:

The Research Associate will provide support in the areas of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics research to include:

Performing or assisting in routine microbiological techniques for Shigella species, E. coli, or other enteric pathogens, including growing cultures using selective or differential media, slide agglutination, and staining.
• Performing or assisting in routine molecular genetics techniques, including nucleic acid purification, restriction enzyme digestion, agarose electrophoresis and gel purification, electroporation/transformation methods, DNA ligation, subcloning, and recombination of DNA fragments.
• Familiarity with PCR and qPCR techniques.
• Performing or assisting in cell culture-based assays for cellular microbiology and microbial pathogenesis, including epithelial cell invasion, intramacrophage survival and cytotoxicity, and fluorescence, bioluminescence, or light microscopy-based assays.
• Performing day-to-day maintenance and operations of the laboratory, including media preparation, glassware and hazardous waste management, and administrative duties such as ordering supplies and periodic lab inventories.
• Assisting in the development of laboratory procedures and analysis of research data; participating in a cooperative effort to accomplish goals of the laboratory.
• Utilizing professional knowledge of theories, principles, methods, and techniques of cell biology, and microbial pathogenesis, cell culture, small animal handling (such as mice or guinea pigs), and aseptic technique.

Minimum Qualifications:

Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen.

Clearance: Ability to obtain NACI.

Education: Bachelors Degree in a biological or biochemical science (chemistry / biochemistry / microbiology / molecular biology, etc)

Experience: Recent college graduate with exposure and interest in biological sciences related to human infectious diseases.

• Willingness to work with small animals (such as mice or guinea pigs) in a lab environment required.
• Fluency with Windows operating system, Apple operating system and Microsoft Office software suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with any of the following research equipment is preferred but not required: HPLC, PCR, Mass spectrometer, Flow Cytometers, cell counters, cell separation devices, fermenters, lyophilizes, peptide synthesizers
• Familiarity with any of the following typical procedures is preferred but not required to: SDS-PAGE, protein assays, bacterial fermentation and purifications.
• Familiarity and understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP)
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)

Additional Information:

• Onsite at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (Silver Spring, MD)

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Odyssey Systems is a world-class technical, engineering, and integration company serving the warfighting ecosystem with airborne integration, ISR, C2, and warfighter readiness capabilities. Odyssey meets the military's operational needs by integrating layered defense systems from equipment, technology, and services to data, information, and business operations. We streamline defense acquisition and sustainment, engineering the technical battlefield with domain-specific proficiency to ensure lethality. Odyssey is dedicated to excellent contract execution, peak organizational performance, and fostering a workplace built on employee care.

Odyssey is proud to live out our core values of commitment, ambition, and respect in our work and communities through OdysseyCares, a philanthropic group focused on giving back through direct donations, an employer match program, and volunteering events.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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.

This position is filled through continuous recruitment and will remain open until a sufficient pool of applications has been received.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Tricare supplement, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance program, learning and development benefit, paid time off, and holidays.

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