Career Center

The Center of Immunization Research (CIR), Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, has been evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of live attenuated flavivirus vaccines for more than a decade. The laboratory is interested in using specimens collected during clinical trials of these vaccines to better understand the immunological response to flavivirus infection. The CIR has a Research Specialist  position for a self-motivated professional focused on research characterizing the immune response to flavivirus infection and supporting the development of associated vaccines.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Perform and analyze assays accurately according to the Standard Operating Procedures, to include, but not limited to: plaque reduction micro neutralization, neutralizing antibody, virus titration, flow cytometry, HAI Assays, ELISA, and PCR.
• Apply Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) principles to characterize test articles and analysis of specimens.
• Maintain detailed records of assays. Enter and verify study specific data.
• Maintain cell cultures (example: Vero, LLC, C6/36 mosquito cells, K562 cells), Viral culture / titers (including immunostaining).
• Process PBMCs.
• Willingness to learn and assist in the development of new assays.
• Must be able to work independently and as a member of a team in the design, set up, and performance of stability studies for flavivirus vaccines
• Receive, log, ship, and store specimens. Transfer and ship specimens per DOT/IATA specifications. Maintains site shipping and storage logs of all specimens, including use of specified electronic system.
• Maintain and organize specimen repository.
• Maintain freezer/refrigerator/incubator temperature logs.
• Provide professional input in the creation and revision of Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols.
• Identifies, troubleshoots and solves problems with immunoassays
• Monitor inventory of laboratory supplies, liquid nitrogen, and dry ice, and places orders as needed.
• Maintains and troubleshoots laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrates organization, problem solving, resourcefulness and flexibility.
• Discusses laboratory results with Principal Investigator, NIH scientists, and site investigators as required.
• Perform reasonable job duties, even if not part of the job description, as assigned by the Principal Investigator or Program Director.
• Keep and maintain detailed records of assays along with laboratory notebook.
• Maintain effective professional communication with principal investigators, clinical and laboratory study teams, to assist in prioritizing laboratory assays for vaccine trials.
• Attend weekly laboratory team meetings and weekly clinical team progress meetings.
• Holds self accountable for professional, responsible conduct. 
• Demonstrates excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Detail oriented, well-organized, self-motivated, superior time managements skills.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field. Background in virology or immunology.
• 1 year laboratory experience performing relevant techniques. Master's Degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.*
• Requires the ability to flex schedule at the supervisor's request to work some evenings or weekends as required by study needs, however most work will be accomplished during normal lab hours, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

* JHU Equivalency Formula: 18 graduate degree credits (semester hours)  may substitute for one year of experience. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. 

** Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with software such as FlowJo and performing viral plaque reduction micro neutralization assays highly desirable.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be able to handle large volumes and handle multiple tasks at one time.
• Must be comfortable using Microsoft office software such as Word, Excel, Teams, Powerpoint and Outlook. Familiarity with databases (FreezerPro preferable), accurate data entry, and report generation.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 50 lbs., such as specimens packed in dry ice.
• Will require foot travel within the JHMI campus, particularly between the clinic on Broadway Street and the laboratory on Wolfe Street.
• Travel to the clinical unit on the Bayview campus.
• Duties may require standing, walking, or sitting for an extended periods of time.
• Requires dexterity to manipulate objects, such as pipetting and other laboratory duties.

Classified Title: Research Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA  
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with experience  
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F 8: 30 - 5pm / 40 hours/wk 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Public Health  
Department name: Ctr for Immnztn Rsch Vaccine Scis CIR  
Personnel area: School of Public Health 

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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