Cell Biologist/Virologist

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$103,290.00 - $139,128.00 Annually for the SES.1 level

$123,960.00 - $166,992.00 Annually for the SES.2 level

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Staff Scientist with experience in virology and cellular biology. You will support a team working on novel strategies for broad protection against infection and human disease caused by pathogenic viruses. The project seeks to leverage CRISPR-gene editing systems to generate knockout cell lines or libraries, followed by viral challenges in order to discover and validate host-factors relevant to viral infection. You should have an interest in learning new skills and techniques and applying them to solve real-world scientific problems that inform the safe use of these technologies for both government and commercial applications. The position is in the BioSecurity and BioForensics group of the Biosciences and Biotechnology Division.

This position will be filled at either the SES.1 or SES.2 level, depending on your qualifications. Additional job duties will be assigned at the higher level.

In this role you will:

• Design and conduct in vitro experiments in virology, molecular biology, and cellular biology aimed at identifying and validating host-factors relevant to viral infection utilizing CRISPR-gene editing systems.
• Perform routine virology assays and techniques, including but not limited to passaging, harvesting, and titering BSL-2 viruses.
• Optimize assays to characterize host-pathogen interactions for multiple virus models.
• Develop and optimize high-throughput in vitro CRISPR editing screens.
• Provide solutions to problems of limited complexity that require creative use of established and/or innovative methods.
• Present formal and informal overviews of experimental progress at regular meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional duties at the SES.2 level:

• Employ cellular and molecular characterization of CRISPR-edited cell lines following pathogen challenge.
• Optimize and scale classical low-throughput virology assays to be higher-throughput
• Provide solutions to problems of moderate complexity that require creative use of established and/or innovative methods.
• Analyze current process procedures and provide moderately complex feedback for the optimization and improvement of workflow.
• Provide occasional training on laboratory procedures to other employees.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• BS Degree in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Familiarity and experience with basic safety procedures in BSL2 (or higher) environment, and proper storage/handling of cell and pathogen cultures.
• Proficient written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deliver presentations, prepare written reports and to interact with a diverse set of scientists, engineers, and other technical and administrative staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level:

• MS degree Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Substantial experience in one or more of the following: virology; cellular and molecular biology; in CRISPR-editing systems (e.g. usage and validation); or with high-throughput experimentation (e.g. usage of liquid handlers, automated platereaders, screens, etc).

Qualifications we desire:

• Ability as an innovative experimentalist to draw on a range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Experience with reverse genetics and genome engineering technologies (e.g., CRISPR)
• Experience with classical virology assays (e.g., passaging and titering, plaque assays, etc).
• Experience with generating and utilizing lentiviral delivery systems.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.