Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Biological Technician to support the Malaria Serology Laboratory (MSL) at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’s (WRAIR), Malaria Vaccine Branch (MVB) in Silver Spring, Maryland. HJF provides scientific, technical and programmatic support services to MVB.

 The MSL supports the U.S. Military Malaria Vaccine Program (USMMVP) by testing malaria vaccine clinical trial samples and pre-clinical samples to assess vaccine potency and immunogenicity within the Malaria Vaccine Branch at WRAIR in Silver Spring.

Responsibilities:

1. Performs laboratory work in support of malaria pre-clinical, clinical, and field trials.
2. Performs multiple assay platforms and ensures high clinical and non-clinical sample throughput to include the ELISA, Luminex, and IFA (Immunofluorence antibody technique).
3. Assists senior laboratory staff in optimizing multiple assay platforms to include the ELISA, Luminex, and or IFA.
4. Develops graphs, visual creations, and presentations of results to peers in the science community.
5. Sustains a high degree of assay consistency and reproducibility of study data by adhering to GCLP standards.
6. Regularly performs and maintains qualification of multiple ELISA assays.
7. Assists senior laboratory staff in troubleshooting and conducting experiments in the area of molecular, biochemical, malaria parasitology or immunological assays with the assistance of senior laboratory staff. Skills and knowledge of ELISAs, malaria parasitological or immunological assays and instrumentation are desired.
8. Maintains and operates equipment to include but not limited to: ELISA plate washers and readers, Luminex, Nano drop, imaging systems, microscopes, and centrifuges. 
9. Maintains and provides an up-to-date, well documented, neat laboratory notebook detailing experiments and results to laboratory management.
10. Maintains GCLP, assay validation, and or other on the job training as required by HJF and or laboratory management.
11. Maintains a safe workplace ensuring that he/she is aware of and observes appropriate safety an occupational health rules and regulations. The employee is required to attend safety training relative to his/her position and report any infractions of safety procedures to the facility safety officer.
12. Performs laboratory clean up and storage inventory duties as assigned.
13. Makes reagent buffer as assigned.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  Technical knowledge of scientific disciplines; knowledge of and skill in ELISA and immunological assays, and handling biological hazards and their safe use and disposal.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:  Bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences.

Minimum Experience:  2 to 4 years laboratory experience.

Physical Capabilities:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk, sit, use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear. Work may involve long periods of standing and handling of numerous chemicals and/or hazardous biological material. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:  The laboratory/office environment may require working evenings and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Background: Eligibility to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC); eligibility to obtain and hold a Public Trust background.

HJF is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.