Junior Scientist

As a Junior Scientist - X-ray crystallographer you will be joining the world’s largest & most comprehensive clinical research organisation, powered by healthcare intelligence.

You will 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 crystallize ESKAPEE pathogen proteins of interest and utilize sophisticated techniques such as X-ray Crystallography and Mass Spectroscopy to model small molecule drug-protein interactions.

What you will be doing:

• Design, develop and deliver novel small molecule antibiotics against MDR organisms of military relevance through structure-based drug design.
• Identify novel small-molecule drug candidates through in silico screening of commercially available chemical databases and molecular modeling of drug candidates for enhancement.
• Express, purify and crystallize proteins for structure-based drug design and perform mass spectrometry on all products.
• Develop and recommend antimicrobial drug candidates for specific targets on MDR ESKAPEE pathogens (Enterococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Escherichia coli).
• Draft grant proposals on structure-based drug design for submission to leadership and research steering committees.
• Conduct research on projects associated with antimicrobial development such as protein expression and purification, MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) studies, animal modeling, virtual modeling of drugs bound to target proteins, etc.
• Independently design experiments, make detailed observations, analyze data, interpret results and deliver timely results.
• Mentor and supervise junior technical staff within the team as needed.
  
  

You are:

• Citizenship: Must be a US citizen.
• Clearance: Able to obtain NACI
• Education: Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline (e.g., microbiology, immunology, Molecular Biology or biochemistry)
• Experience: At least one year (1) year post-graduate experience in protein characterization and chemistry
  • Experience and training using X-Ray Diffractometers.
  • Experience in at least one of the following areas: druggable target identification, cloning, enzymology, protein characterization and protein chemistry
  • Strong computer skills and experience with relevant software, including MS Office and GraphPad Prism.
  • Experience with microbiology of Gram-negative negative species and antibacterial development is desired.
  • Must be willing to apply for competitive grant funding.
  • Must have excellent presentation and oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced and diverse environment. Contribute individually as well as part of a highly collaborative and productive team.
  • Must have proven ability to prepare precise technical summaries and protocols and maintain appropriate documentation.

Additional Information:

• Onsite at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (Silver Spring, MD)

Why ICON?

Our focus is to provide you with a comprehensive and competitive total reward package that comprises, not only an excellent level of base pay, but also a wide range of variable pay and recognition programs. In addition, our best in class employee benefits, supportive policies and wellbeing initiatives are tailored to support you and your family at all stages of your career - both now, and into the future.

Our success depends on the knowledge, capabilities and quality of our people. That’s why we are committed to developing our employees in a continuous learning culture – one where we challenge you with engaging work and where every experience adds to your professional development.

ICON, including subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, 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.

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.