Senior Scientist- Biosafety and Biosecurity

Senior Scientist - Biosecurity and Biosafety

Position Purpose:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide science and technology (S&T) leadership as it relates to biosafety, biosecurity, and biological threat counterproliferation needs on client projects, internal research and development (IR&D), and business development (BD) activities. The individual may serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), principal investigator, trainer, project manager, task leader, and/or technical contributor on designated projects and proposals.

It is preferred that this position be filled by an applicant living in the Washington D.C. Area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides scientific and technical training and consulting in areas related to biosafety and biosecurity supporting the US Government's biological threat reduction and WMD counterproliferation programs.
• Assists clients in the design and implementation of biosecurity and biosafety processes, procedures, and mitigations, focusing on the safe storage, collection, and destruction of especially dangerous pathogens, as well as physical security requirements.
• Performs risk assessments of laboratory and organizational biosafety and biosecurity programs.
• Develops and delivers trainings on biosafety and biosecurity topics for a variety of organizations, in support of US government agencies, international partner nations, and other laboratories.
• Develops and delivers trainings related to safe operations in BSL2, BSL3, and BSL4 laboratories.
• Leads the design, development, and execution of exercises, workshops, conferences, and meetings to support the research and development objectives.
• Serves as a Principal Investigator and provides technical approach, planning, and technical leadership on assigned projects.
• Applies scientific and technical expertise to project execution and serves as a problem-solving resource when technical difficulties arise.
• Participates in the corporate IR&D team, providing technical input, proposal review, and project review.
• Meets with potential clients to pursue business opportunities.
• Attends technical conferences, meetings, industry days, and tradeshows to pursue business development opportunities.
• Travels within the US and Internationally to conduct trainings, conduct risk assessments and audits, and other studies.
• Develops ideas and concepts that result in white papers, proposals, presentations, and marketing materials that support business opportunities.
• Serves as a proposal capture manager on designated proposals.
• Serves as a proposal writer, reviewer, and technical advisor.
• Interacts with the Business Area Director, Director of Marketing and Business Development, and the Executive Team, as needed to communicate technical activities, challenges, ideas, IR&D, and business development opportunities.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity regulations and best practices related to relevant ISO standards, WHO International Health Regulations, The WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual (LBM), WHO Laboratory Biosecurity Guidance, US CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), CDC and USDA Select Agent Regulations.
• Knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity risk-mitigating controls that are consistent with relevant regulations and best practices.
• Knowledge of and experience with biosafety levels, high-containment laboratories, dual use equipment, and dual use research of concern (DURC).
• Knowledge of and experience with operating and managing biocontainment facilities (e.g., BSL3) including physical plant processes and equipment, operational needs, health and safety, and functions.
• Expert interpersonal capabilities, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Expert ability to present and communicate technical topics to wide range of audiences.
• Ability to provide technical leadership in a corporate setting.
• Proficiency working with bioinformatics software.
• Proficiency in creating technical reports and presentations.
• Preferred advanced skills in commercial marketing and proposal writing.

Education/Experience:

• MS or PhD Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Experience (13+ years with MS or 10+ years with PhD) in scientist role.
• Experience (3+ years) in business develop roles pursuing and capturing scientific programs/contracts with US Government agencies and departments.

Clearance:

• This position requires that the candidate be willing and able to complete a successful background screening for a security clearance.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• The candidate will be responsible for supervising staff members assigned to projects for which he/she is a project manager, principal investigator, or task leader.

Working Conditions/ Equipment:

• The candidate should have the ability to work in traditional office environments during regular business hours and travel to attend meetings or conferences as needed.
• The candidate should also generally be available via email or phone during non-business hours as needed to address critical issues or emergencies.