AMVETS Jobs

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The T-6 group (Theoretical Biology and Biophysics) in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) invites applications for a scientist in virology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and molecular evolution, to begin as early as summer 2024.

Our group conducts research on a broad set of topics in global health, including HIV/AIDS epidemiology, vaccine design, virus evolution, and human immunology, and runs databases of genetic sequences and HIV immunology information. We develop and provide software tools in bioinformatics, statistics, phylogenetics and virus-host coevolution. LANL scientists in the T-6 group working in these areas include Brian Foley, Jennifer Mamrosh, Will Fischer, Kshitij Wagh, Alan Perelson and Thomas Leitner. We collaborate actively with our colleagues throughout the laboratory and around the world.

The HIV Databases at LANL are funded by the NIH/NIAID to curate HIV genetic sequence information, information on host immune system responses to the viruses, and to create and provide analysis tools and software to the global HIV/AIDS research community. We anticipate that the successful candidate will assume a co-PI role of the HIV Databases, bringing expertise in sequence analysis and molecular evolution to our HIV sequences database. LANL's HIV Databases have been funded continuously since 1991 and are currently funded through 2028.

Scientist 2 $101,700 - $168,200

A Scientist 2 in this position would support the HIV Database team in maintaining their current work and analysis for the global HIV community, in particular to help develop new solutions or improve current capabilities. They will help mentor junior staff, peers, and students and be able to work unsupervised on project within the larger team, while also supporting other team members. They will help set team directions and goals and, ideally, provide ideas and perform work that will lead to new grants and grant renewals in the areas of viral genetics, phylogenetic analyses, recombination, multiple sequence alignment, epidemiology and taxonomy/nomenclature. We expect the Scientist 2 to maintain state-of-the art expertise and be actively involved in the broader scientific community. A successful candidate will have experience developing and implementing research projects.

Scientist 3 $122,300 - $206,300

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level a Scientist 3 will lead in communicating the team's scientific R&D in papers, presentations (external and internal), and reports. The Scientist 3 will also provide technical leadership in both scientific and day-to-day operational decisions and strategic directions. They will actively participate in grant writing and obtaining external/internal funding while providing leadership to the current team supported under a 7-year NIH grant.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience with DNA and protein sequence analyses

• Knowledge of human immunology, and at least minimal experience with DNA sequencing and/or immunology technologies is required

• Experience supervising students and/or postdocs and with leading small teams

• Project management or leadership experience and/or training

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 3:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Experience successfully obtaining competitive funding from federal granting agencies

• Experience supervising a variety of project employees including undergraduate students, postdocs, bioinformatics programmers, and junior scientist/peers

• Experience and training in project management and leadership with at least 5 years experience post-PhD

Education/Experience at lower level:

Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation

Education/Experience at higher level:

Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with software development, especially in the areas of bioinformatics and SQL or relational databases.

• Track record of publications in immunology, virology, epidemiology or related fields.

• Knowledge of epidemiology, phylogenetic analyses, and genetic recombination.

• HIV research experience.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

This position provides an excellent opportunity for a career scientist to lead an independent research program. Diverse candidates with expertise in any of the aforementioned areas are strongly encouraged to apply. The Theoretical division contributes to computer modeling, and the tests and applications that result from modeling help define new directions in basic research. Our strong interdisciplinary teaming and unique research facilities allow us to develop solutions to complex problems, and to support partners and collaborators, all with the goal of strengthening national security and making a safer world. T6 is one of the few research groups in the world devoted to mathematical modeling and computational analysis of problems in cellular and molecular biology.

Applications should be submitted by June 15, 2024, for full consideration.

For further information please contact Brian Foley (btf@lanl.gov).

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.