Microbiology Research Assistant

Research Technician IV - Silver Spring, MD (Onsite)

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development

ICON is seeking a Research Technician IV to join a dynamic and growing team at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Wound Infection Department (WID). WID is tasked with delivering specific, effective countermeasures for infection of combat wounds pre-injury, at the point-of-injury, and post-injury. The Structural Biology (XTAL) group focuses on structure-based drug designs for microbial pathogens of military relevance. Researchers in this group express, purify and crystalize ESKAPEE pathogen proteins of interest and utilize sophisticated techniques such as X-ray Crystallography and mass spectroscopy to model small molecule drug-protein interactions.

Location: Silver Spring, MD

Hours: Full-Time; Monday – Friday

What You Will be Doing:

• Provide technical support in several research areas including: 1) Molecular biology, 2) Microbiology, 3) Immunology, 4) X-ray crystallography, 5) Various chromatographic systems, and 6) structure-function relationships.
• Performs microbiological and molecular biological studies on various bacterial pathogens of military relevance under biosafety level 2 and 3 conditions, including genetic/genotypic analysis of these pathogens.
• Performs genetic analysis techniques such as PFGE, SNP, VNTR, DNA sequencing and PCR testing to support funded bacterial pathogen research projects including bacteriophage efforts.
• Cultures infectious agents for use in laboratory procedures. Prepares pure sterile DNA samples from microbial agents in biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories.
• Performs established laboratory tests to identify characteristics of microbial agents including PCR assays, plasmid profiles, biochemical and immunodiagnostic tests.
• Follows established protocols to perform microbiological and molecular biological assays.
• Organizes and tabulates results of studies and prepares data summaries.
• Maintains accurate and appropriate research records including maintaining a laboratory notebook compliant with standards of laboratory work (replicability) and with WRAIR/Army regulations.
• Maintain a safe workplace ensuring that he/she is aware of and observes appropriate safety and occupational health rules and regulations. Employee is required to attend safety training relative to his/her position and report any infractions of safety procedures to the facility Safety Officer.
• Completes all required safety, biosafety and security training classes.
• Obtain required annual occupational physical examinations and serologic tests and any required security clearances for work in department biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories.
• Specialized training in new methods and procedures as needed, including in the use of data analysis software.

Your Profile:

• Bachelor’s Degree in appropriate discipline (Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology)
• 4+ years of related laboratory experience with strong pipetting skills
• Protein purification experience
• Problem solving skills
• Experience in BSL-2 environments and the ability to conduct safe work in this laboratory environment
• X-ray Crystallography experience strongly preferred

What ICON can offer you:

Our success depends on the quality of our people. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to build a diverse culture that rewards high performance and nurtures talent.

In addition to your competitive salary, ICON offers a range of additional benefits. Our benefits are designed to be competitive within each country and are focused on well-being and work life balance opportunities for you and your family.

Our benefits examples include:

• Various annual leave entitlements
• A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.
• Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.
• Global Employee Assistance Program, TELUS Health, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialized professionals who are there to support you and your family’s well-being.
• Life assurance
• Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidized travel passes, health assessments, among others.

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values. We’re dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here.

Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.

Bonus, Com, Stock, Benefits & Disclaimer verbiage:

Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, education/training, and skill level. You may be eligible for a bonus, stock compensation and commissions in some cases depending on your role and performance.

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