Research Scientist

George Washington University, United States

Updated: 28 days ago
Location: Washington, PENNSYLVANIA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
I. DEPARTMENT INFORMATION


Job Description Summary:
Founded in 1824, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) is the 11th oldest medical school in the country and the first in the nation’s capital. Since its establishment, the school has been at the forefront of medical education, and has grown to include highly-ranked programs in the health and biomedical sciences. With dozens of top-tier residency programs, SMHS is a competitive and esteemed destination for medical school graduates across the country. Find out more here: http://smhs.gwu.edu/ .
The laboratory of Dr. David Watkins is looking for a talented Research Scientist who is interested in working in the development and efficacy testing of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutic drugs against virus and other diseases including cancers. The Watkins’ lab has been focused on understanding the immune response to viruses and regularly works with BSL2 pathogens such as HIV/SIV, Dengue, Zika, and Yellow Fever. We also perform work under BSL3 conditions to handle pathogens like Coronaviruses, RSV, Influenza, and others.
The Research Scientist is responsible for planning, conducting and supervising research at a high level, by designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Using extensive experience and judgment, this role will plan independent research, analyze and interpret data, publish results, represent the university at conferences and meetings, develop new theories and methodologies, and will lead and direct the work of lower level research staff, while transferring technical expertise. The candidate will be expected to carry out antibody and/or antigen library preparation and biophysical/functional characterization of tagged and untagged antigens and engineered antibodies, expressed in either mammalian or bacterial systems. The scope of this work will include technology development and scaling, and high-dimensional data analysis.
Responsibilities include:
  • Designs and constructs diverse mutagenesis libraries using molecular biology techniques.
  • Performs routine maintenance and operation of a cell sorter.
  • Utilizes a variety of methods to determine antibody kinetics, affinity, and specificity.
  • Develops screening assays and selects methods for improved protein variants.
  • Identifies and solves challenging technical problems.
  • Conceives and implements innovative ideas for engineering proteins to improve core sequencing performance.


Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Master’s degree plus 5 years of experience or a PhD plus 2 years of experience in a related discipline to include at least 2 years of research and/or college level teaching in a field basic to the work to be performed. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in engineering proteins via directed evolution for a next generation protein sequencing platform and will be ability to develop novel biochemical and molecular assays.
  • Ability to perform high-throughput screens for protein function, interaction, and expression.
  • Ability to maintain yeast selection and induction cultures.
  • Ability to perform fluorescence-based sorting of yeast and mammalian cells.
  • An understanding of analysis methods for next-gen sequencing datasets.
  • Technical expertise in yeast surface display, high-throughput screening, and/or flow cytometry / FACS.
  • General experience with antibody characterization, and/or protein engineering platforms like phage display.
  • Clarity in communication as well as flexibility to adjust to a dynamic, high-paced research environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.
Typical Hiring Range Commensurate with Experience.

II. POSITION INFORMATION


Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS)
Family Research and Labs
Sub-Family Laboratory Research
Stream Individual Contributor
Level Level 4
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full time -> FTE 1.00
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status On-campus (in person)
Telework:
Required Background Check Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: R001945
Job Open Date: 10/19/2023
Job Close Date:
If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Similar Positions