Role Summary:

The Research Scientist is responsible for providing technical support and input within assigned projects, studies and research reports and submissions managed within the Vaccine Research Development – San Angelo group at Bimeda Biologicals Inc. in the development of USDA approved products.

Key Role Specific Responsibilities:

·         Participate and provide technical support and input in the development of field trials, protocols and final reports in accordance with current USDA guidelines. 

·         Prepare/Review R&D related documents intended for submission to USDA for accuracy/consistency.

·         Identify and recommend any needed equipment and materials for vaccine development.

·         Track the progress, costs, and timelines of all projects so that updates can be easily viewed outside of R&D.

·         Evaluate new disease antigens for inclusion into product line.

·         Oversee operation of R&D equipment.

·         Interface with USDA compliance officers during facility inspections as required.

·         Work with Commercial department to provide technical input, and potential writing, of technical information used in the field.

·         Speak at industry events that are science or R&D based where experience and science background would support

·         Interface with customers on a as needed basis to support the vaccine products and the science behind the products

·         Design, write and review protocols for vaccine clinical studies

·         Coordinated with CRO’s for planning and execution of vaccine clinical studies

·         Present clinical study data to internal team members and corporate leaders.

·         Development of new vaccine candidates to expand company’s portfolio of autogenous vaccines

·          Support the transfer and training of various vaccine production processes and assays related to new products.

·         Design, trouble shoot, and execute cell based and immunological assays in support of vaccine development

·         Grow and maintained multiple cell lines and viral cultures

·         Interface with the USDA as needed to support R&D projects

Key and 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.
• ENGAGEMENT, DRIVE AND EMPOWERMENT - The ability to convey confidence in employee’s ability to be successful, especially at challenging new tasks; delegating significant responsibility and authority to engage employees; allowing employees freedom to decide how they will accomplish their goals and resolve issues.
• 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.
• INTEGRITY/PERSONAL CREDIBILITY – Demonstrated ability and concern that one be perceived as responsible, reliable, and trustworthy.
• RESULTS ORIENTED – The ability to focus on the desired result of one’s own department’s work, setting challenging goals, focusing on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them.

Essential Requirements:

Education

• Master’s Degree required
• Working knowledge of laboratory microbiology (including immunology, bacteriology, virology, and molecular biology) as it relates to cattle infectious disease required.
• Working knowledge of Cattle production operations (Feedlot, Dairy, Ranch/Farm) required.
• Commercial company background including regulatory and clinical experience related to USDA licensed veterinary biologics preferred.

Technical

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong math and computer skills (including MS Office).
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant USDA industry guidelines.
• Strong understanding of analytical instruments (how they work, how to maintain/repair them, how to use the software, etc.)
• Some supervisory training preferred.

Behavioral

• Highly motivated and able to work under minimal supervision.
• Detail oriented.
• Able to work effectively cross-functionally with all other departments and builds trust through active collaborations.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Positive can-do attitude and willingness to be flexible when project priorities change.

Language

• Good command of the English language.  Fluent in any other languages a plus.

Desirable Skill and Experiences:

Desirable:

• PhD or DVM preferred