Scientist I

Company DescriptionGeoVax Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOVX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing human vaccines and immunotherapies against infectious diseases and cancer using novel proprietary platforms. Our employees are flexible self-starters who contribute across multiple functional areas. The GeoVax portfolio includes prototype and clinical stage vaccines to address mpox/smallpox, COVID, and treatment of cancer. The technology focus of the company is on the use of the attenuated poxvirus, MVA, as a live-attenuated vaccine vector. In addition to the primary duties listed below, the Scientist I is expected to be capable of organizing and executing schedules and eager to continually gain new knowledge and proficiency with skills and laboratory assays and contribute to development of internal projects and programs in Research & Development.Position Summary:  GeoVax is seeking a highly motivated individual for the Scientist I position reporting to the Director of Preclinical Research. The Scientist I position will be responsible for extensive characterization of GMP vaccine lots using standard virus phenotypic readouts. Additional responsibilities include establishing a continuous cell line as a substrate for virus vaccine production including upstream and downstream process development. This role will be expected to contribute to the progress of GeoVax’s lead candidate, GEO-MVA, as well as other earlier stage programs and be an actively contributing Research group team member. This is a hands-on, laboratory-based position that offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational benchwork that will support product approval.Duties and Responsibilities: The Scientist I is responsible for the completion, documentation and reporting of routine laboratory assays using aseptic technique including cell culture, molecular biology and virological methods. The Scientist I is also responsible for the management and development of Research programs that evaluate virus phenotype in primary avian cell culture and optimize upstream and downstream processes on a continuous cell substrate. This role is ideal for a candidate with a strong background in virology, molecular and cellular biology who is motivated to learn and contribute in a dynamic research environment. Primary duties of the position include: ·        Maintenance of mammalian and avian cells lines ·        Infection of cell culture for propagation of virus stocks·        Virus purification by sucrose cushion, tangential flow filtration and chromatography·        Titration of virus by plaque assay and quantitation of results by software analysis·        Phase contrast microscopy for evaluation of cell morphology ·        Molecular biology assays: agarose gel electrophoresis, qPCR, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry ·        Insert stability testing by multiple passages of virus in cell culture ·        Scale-down bioreactor cell culture optimization ·        Recording, reporting and presentation of scientific data·        Comprehensive literature searches to assist in assay development and data interpretationKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities: ·        Sterile cell culture methodologies·        Virology, familiarity with poxviruses preferred·        Molecular biology theory and techniques·        Scientific laboratory records maintenance using electronic laboratory notebook·        Data analysis including statistical analysis using GraphPad·        Written and oral presentation of data·        Composition of laboratory reports Qualifications:  ·        Bachelor of Science with 5 years of supervised, productive, and applicable experience in virology, molecular and/or cell biology.·        Master of Science degree including a minimum of 2 years laboratory training through supervised academic research in virology, molecular and/or cell biology. ·        Various combinations of appropriate education and experience will be considered. Work Environment:                                         ·        This position is 100% on-site at our laboratory facility located in Atlanta, GA at Science Square, the Southeast’s premier life sciences district.·        The role requires the ability to work in a BSL-2 laboratory environment and adhere to all safety protocols.·        All employees must be up to date with standard workplace requirements, including EHS and workplace safety training.Please send Cover Letter and CV to hr@geovax.com