**Position Objective:** Provide services as a Scientist in support of the overall functions of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
**Duties and Responsibilities:**
+ Supports the planning and execution of research experiments in the context of the laboratory's overall research program.
+ Support the planning and execution of laboratory activities associated with the development, characterization, and distribution of investigational vaccine and biotherapeutic candidates.
+ Supports laboratory staff on research projects and techniques.
+ Coordinate with VPP scientific staff to obtain purified bulk vaccine candidates, biological reagents, and research materials required for laboratory studies.
+ Evaluate bulk material documentation, labeling accuracy, and lot traceability to ensure compliance with program standards and regulatory requirements.
+ Develop aliquoting strategies for biological materials in collaboration with the Scientific Operations Manager (SOM) and scientific leadership to support research distribution and long-term storage strategies.
+ Perform aseptic processing and aliquoting of biological products using biological safety cabinets and sterile techniques to maintain product integrity.
+ Assess appropriate storage conditions for biological materials and ensure proper storage, tracking, and lifecycle management within laboratory inventory systems.
+ Maintain detailed documentation of sample preparation, storage, and distribution to support scientific reproducibility and regulatory traceability.
+ Maintains laboratory equipment and the training of others in their use.
+ Maintain laboratory inventory systems supporting investigational vaccine and biotherapeutic materials.
+ Perform inventory assessments and trend analyses to support forecasting of laboratory supply needs and ensure availability of materials required for ongoing and projected research studies.
+ Assists in maintaining adequate space and facilities for ongoing and projected research studies.
+ Provide scientific and operational support for procurement of commercially available goods (CAG) required for laboratory workflows.
+ Conduct routine verification of laboratory inventory holdings and communicate findings to the Scientific Operations Manager to support efficient research operations.
+ Maintain oversight of laboratory equipment inventories and coordinate equipment service, maintenance, and calibration activities to ensure protection of government property and staff safety.
+ Evaluates, analyzes and interprets research data, communicates results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
+ Coordinate preparation and shipment of investigational biological materials to collaborating research institutions in accordance with NIH, NIAID, IATA, and USDOT regulations.
+ Review and prepare shipping documentation ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and collaborative research agreements.
+ Maintain current certifications and regulatory training related to biological materials transport, biosafety procedures, hazardous materials handling, and laboratory compliance requirements.
+ Provide guidance to laboratory staff on proper packaging, documentation, and shipment procedures for biological research materials.
+ Coordinates with junior staff to modify research protocols.
+ As assigned by the SOM, maintain laboratory infrastructure and scientific equipment necessary to support vaccine development and production activities. 4
+ Provide technical guidance and training to laboratory personnel regarding proper handling of biological materials, inventory procedures, and laboratory equipment usage. 5
+ Contribute to laboratory safety programs including biological and chemical waste management, environmental health compliance, and biosafety procedures.
+ Participate in property management and laboratory asset tracking to maintain accurate records of scientific equipment and laboratory resources.
+ Serve as a backup emergency responder for VPP REES-monitored equipment systems and assist with resolution of equipment alarms impacting laboratory operations.
+ Presents research at national scientific meetings and symposia.
+ When required write SOPs
+ Provides interpretation of results, guidance, and scientific support to the management team.
+ Analyze operational laboratory data related to material usage, inventory levels, and distribution activities to support program decisionmaking.1
+ Prepare technical reports summarizing laboratory activities, inventory analyses, and operational performance metrics. 2
+ Provide written documentation and technical summaries to the Scientific Operations Manager, Task Leader 3
+ Contribute to development of operational procedures, documentation updates, and continuous improvement initiatives supporting laboratory research activities.
+ Prepare monthly status reports detailing activi