Cell Culture and Hybridoma Technician

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance! Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for a Cell Culture and Hybridoma Technician to provide laboratory support for vaccine evaluation, immunogenicity studies, virology research, and medical countermeasure development within the Virology Division. The position supports in vitro and in vivo research activities through cell culture, virology testing, immunological assays, animal study support, laboratory inspections, inventory management, and sample management activities. The incumbent performs laboratory procedures supporting vaccine development, viral pathogenesis studies, and therapeutic evaluation programs while operating in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments and maintaining required biosafety and personnel reliability program requirements.

Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients. 

• Shall serve as a BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 mentor. 
• Perform basic cell culture and basic virology assays such as plaque assays (PA), plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA preparations and purification, cloning, transformations, fluorescence in-situ Hybridization (FISH), flow cytometry, Western blot, IFAs, high content imaging, plaque assays, PRNTs, virus propagation and purification and other assays to support ongoing projects.   Perform cryopreservation and thawing of cell lines. 
• Shall prepare and participate in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory inspections conducted by Safety, Bio-surety, CDC, and/or the Department of Army Inspector General at a minimum of 2 times a year.
• Perform in vitro testing of candidate vaccines, therapeutics, and examination of pathogenesis involving a variety of viruses using cell culture, to include microphysiological systems.
• Perform in vitro assays to evaluate viral vaccines for immunogenicity by measuring cellular/humoral immune responses using ELISA, flow cytometry and other immunological techniques.
• Support small animal studies in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories, including the administration of anesthesia, vaccine inoculations, virus challenges, therapeutic treatments, health monitoring and documentation, necropsies and tissue collections, and blood and tissue processing. In vivo small animal studies range from up to ten (10) studies per year.
• Be responsible for assessing and maintaining laboratory supplies in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories.  Shall assess supplies and ensure supplies are ordered or shall order supplies using GFEBS or DMLSS ordering system. 
• Present protocols and data generated at weekly meetings as applicable. 
• CONUS/OCONUS travel may be required in support of approved studies and/or presentation of scientific research. 
• Assist with annual conduct of Equipment Inventory Management in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4. 
• Be responsible for the management, safeguard, and storage of BSAT, animal tissue samples, and working stock samples.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Typically requires experience consistent with a Laboratory Technician 2 labor category.
• Minimum two (2) years of in vivo and in vitro laboratory experience.
• Experience supporting cell culture, virology, immunology, or laboratory animal research activities.
• Experience performing laboratory assays, sample processing, and scientific data collection activities.
• Experience supporting laboratory operations, inventory management, and equipment accountability activities.
• Ability to work in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Ability to work with controlled substances.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CS-PRP enrollment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment.
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting vaccine development, immunogenicity studies, or viral pathogenesis research.
• Experience performing ELISA, flow cytometry, PRNT, PCR, qRT-PCR, FISH, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays.
• Experience supporting small animal studies and biological sample processing activities.
• Experience supporting virus propagation and viral purification procedures.
• Experience working within BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
• Experience supporting biosafety inspections, laboratory audits, and compliance activities.
• Experience managing biological samples, working stock materials, and BSAT inventories.
• Experience utilizing GFEBS, DMLSS, or similar inventory and procurement systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of cell culture methodologies and laboratory support procedures.
• Knowledge of virology, immunology, vaccine evaluation, and laboratory animal research techniques.
• Knowledge of ELISA, flow cytometry, PCR, qRT-PCR, PRNT, Western blot, FISH, and immunofluorescence methodologies.
• Knowledge of virus propagation, purification, cryopreservation, and cell line maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory operations and biosafety requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory inventory management, equipment accountability, and biological sample management practices.
• Ability to perform routine laboratory procedures following established protocols.
• Ability to collect, document, and communicate scientific and technical data.
• Ability to support animal studies, tissue collection, blood collection, and sample processing activities.
• Ability to maintain laboratory readiness, inventories, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively with laboratory personnel, researchers, and project stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, documentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary laboratory teams.