Biological R&D Scientist

Position Summary
Bimeda is hiring Biological R&D Scientists to join our Vaccine R&D team, supporting discovery, development, and characterization of vaccines for livestock and/or aquaculture species. This broadband posting spans Scientist I-IV — the level and title offered depend on your qualifications (see Level Guide). Entry-level Scientists execute established protocols under supervision; senior Scientists independently design studies, mentor staff, and drive regulatory submissions. All levels work within USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) and GLP standards.
Key Responsibilities
Scope and independence scale with level. Scientists will:
Design, execute, and interpret experiments on antigen expression, purification, characterization, adjuvant selection, and formulation (independence increases with level)
Perform core molecular biology, microbiology, and cell culture techniques (PCR, cloning, Western blot, ELISA)
Run and, at senior levels, develop immunological assays (SNT, VN, HI, ELISA, ELISpot, multiplex cytokine, FACS)
Support or lead in vitro/in vivo safety and efficacy studies, including vaccination-challenge trials
Maintain GLP-compliant lab records; prepare reagents, media, and challenge materials
Contribute to USDA Outline of Production, license applications, study reports, and SOPs (III/IV author/revise)
Collaborate with Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Quality; present findings internally and externally (III/IV)
Mentor junior staff on technique and compliance (III/IV)
Level Guide
Scientist I
Grade/Level: Entry Level
Supervision: Works under close supervision and executes established protocols.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, or a related life science field (Master's preferred).
Experience: 0-2 years of relevant laboratory research experience. Internships and graduate research may be considered.
Mentorship: No mentorship responsibilities expected.
Regulatory Contribution: Maintains GLP-compliant laboratory notebooks and records.
Scientist II
Grade/Level: Entry Level
Supervision: Performs standard protocols independently under general supervision.
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (Master's preferred).
Experience: 2+ years of relevant laboratory research experience.
Mentorship: May assist with necropsy and pathology sampling under senior guidance.
Regulatory Contribution: Maintains GLP-compliant laboratory notebooks and records.
Scientist III
Grade/Level: Mid-Level
Supervision: Independently designs, optimizes, and executes experiments under general supervision.
Education: Bachelor's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D./D.V.M.-Ph.D. with postdoctoral or industry experience.
Experience: 4+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 2+ years with a Master's degree, or relevant postdoctoral/industry experience with a Ph.D.
Mentorship: Mentors Scientist I staff and research associates.
Regulatory Contribution: Contributes to USDA Outline of Production (OoP), license applications, and study reports; authors and revises SOPs.
Scientist IV
Grade/Level: Mid-Level
Supervision: Independently designs, executes, interprets, and leads complete study plans under general supervision.
Education: Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D./D.V.M.-Ph.D. plus 2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience.
Experience: 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 4+ years with a Master's degree, or 2+ years of postdoctoral/industry experience with a Ph.D.
Mentorship: Mentors Scientists I, II, and III on laboratory techniques, study procedures, and regulatory compliance.
Regulatory Contribution: Contributes to USDA Outline of Production (OoP), license applications, and study reports; authors and revises SOPs.
Years of experience are guidelines and not strict requirements. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.
Qualifications
B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field (M.S./Ph.D. preferred at higher levels); see Level Guide for experience by level
Hands-on molecular biology / cell culture technique experience; familiarity with ELISA, Western blot, and/or animal handling
Strong attention to detail, data integrity, and communication skills; team-oriented
Preferred: target animal species experience (cattle, swine, equine, aquaculture); USDA CVB/GLP/GMP exposure; USDA 9 CFR familiarity; recombinant/vector/nucleic-acid vaccine platform experience; IACUC familiarity (III/IV); publications (IV)
Core Competencies
ANALYTICAL THINKING/PROBLEM SOLVING - Is the ability to identify the information needed to clarify a situation, seek that information from various sources and then tackle a problem by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach. Ability to identify and separate the key components of problems and situations. Ability to interpret information from a range of sources to spot patterns and trends in information and to deduce cause and effect from this.
THOROUGHNESS/DETAIL ORIENTED – Ensuring that one’s own and others’ work ad information are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
FOSTERING COLLABORATION/TEAMWORK- is the ability to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor; the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team; as a team leader, the ability to demonstrate interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together. Builds partnerships for global performance. Respects others
CHANGE AGILITY/ADAPTABILITY – The ability to demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve the organization’s effectiveness; initiating, sponsoring, and implementing organizational change. The ability to change or be changed in order to fit or work better on some situation or purpose, and embraces change. Strives for continuous improvement.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION - Is the ability to convey information to another effectively and efficiently, to listen – help facilitate sharing of informa

Employment type
Full-time regular

Work arrangement
No