Postdoctoral Fellow-PMB

Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. HJF, Bethesda, Maryland

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. 

This position will be in support of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences's Preventative Medicine & Biostatistic's Department.

Responsibilities:

• HJF is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow is Responsible for initiating and carrying out research projects in collaboration with a research team. Pursuits research along a focused line of inquiry and has a manuscript in development.
• Design, conduct and supervise high throughput screening bioassays using lab-reared insects that includes and not limited to insecticide resistance, disease pathogen detection, and cell line cultures to develop new classes of insecticides and new techniques of novel pathogen detection from insect vectors.
• Design, conduct and supervise virus culture protocols for immunological studies and vaccine development.
• Foster and develop new collaboration with DoD, universities, mosquito control districts, local and corporate level business companies, and research entities that benefit laboratory missions to support force health protection.
• Mainstream work efforts and resources with other departments at USUHS to promote a competitive work environment.
• Identifies essential genes, molecular mutations, metabolic pathways for insecticides resistance, dengue virus circulation inside mosquito bodies including protein receptor sites in mosquito midgut, and survival of arthropod vectors of diseases.
• Writes grant proposals for funding by reputable governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of a Ph.D. degree in related fields (bioinformatics, entomology, evolutionary biology, parasitology, public health, animal science) from an accredited university.
• Previous work experience in arthropod neuroscience, biochemistry, toxicology, and evolutionary biology with the main emphasis on bioinformatics.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in conducting multiple molecular assays for disease pathogens screening, and identification in arthropod vectors.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in quantifying genome particles using qPCR and digital PCR to quantify the genome.
• Experienced in production, characterization and testing of cDNA combinatorial libraries using 3rd Generation sequencing such as Oxford Nanopore Technologies equipment.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional and scientific experience in developing standard operating procedures for insecticides toxicology and molecular entomology bioassays.
• Demonstrate published projects on public health products such as papers, platforms, software, codes, …etc.
• Verbal and written communication skills for preparing data reports and presentations.
• Ability to work independently at times and/or without direct supervision.

Preferred skills:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in conducting multiple pesticide resistance projects such as bottle bioassays, WHO cone/tube assays, topical toxicology screening, and knockdown resistance (kdr).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in conducting and analyzing mosquito salivation assays such as bite blot assay and digital droplet PCR--- quantitative analyses.
• BSL2-3 and ACL-3 certified, or at least finished certification courses, and knowledge of scientific and technical concepts of biosafety standards for rearing infectious disease vectors under laboratory conditions.
• Knowledge of military and industry organizations interested in the field of insecticide design and testing.
• Knowledge of armed forces pesticide and pest management regulations and instructions.
• Key player in a multidisciplinary workgroup and ability to supervise and mentor graduate students.
• Work under pressure.

Work Environment:

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

Education and Experience:

• Doctoral degree
• Minimum of 0-5 years experience required.
• All HJF employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination or an approved religious or medical accommodation will 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)

To apply, https://careers-hjf.icims.com/jobs/2384/postdoctoral-fellow/job

Inquires please contact Stella Madden, [email protected]