Senior Research Scientist in Birmingham, Alabama at ASRT Inc

JOB TITLE: Senior Research Scientist

POSITION NUMBER: 2607-CORP-SRS-001

POSITION LOCATION: Birmingham, Alabama, USA

ANTICIPATED START DATE: September 2026

TRAVEL: As required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position

ASRT, Inc. provides scientific, information management, management consulting, bioinformatics, and administrative program support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Federal and private sector clients. ASRT, is seeking a PhD-level Research Scientist with a strong background in immunology and antibody research to support laboratory operations, applied research studies, and quality/accreditation initiatives in our Birmingham, Alabama facility.

SCOPE OF WORK

This is an in-person laboratory role requiring hands-on bench work as well as scientific leadership, quality systems expertise, and support for government contract proposal development. The ideal candidate combines deep technical immunology experience with an understanding of laboratory quality standards (ISO 17025) and federal government contracting processes.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, execute, and analyze immunology studies involving PBMC isolation and culture, B cell assays, and other primary and immortalized cell culture systems.
• Plan and conduct in vivo mouse studies, including immunization protocols, tissue and blood collection, and downstream immune analyses.
• Perform and oversee hematology studies and associated laboratory testing.
• Develop, optimize, and validate ELISA and other antibody-based assays, including work with multiple antigen targets for antibody characterization studies.
• Support antibody development, characterization, and validation workflows, including work with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.
• Ensure laboratory practices align with ISO 17025 requirements and support the lab's accreditation and quality management activities.
• Author, review, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support laboratory accreditation, audit readiness, and consistent scientific practice.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, notebooks, and data documentation consistent with quality system and regulatory expectations.
• Provide scientific and technical input for government contract proposals, including support for drafting Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Quotes (RFQs).
• Collaborate with program and contracts staff to ensure technical approaches, staffing plans, and deliverables align with government scientific requirements.
• Mentor junior scientific and technical staff and contribute to a culture of scientific rigor and continuous improvement.
• Communicate results through technical reports, presentations, and, where applicable, peer-reviewed publications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related life sciences field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant laboratory research experience following completion of the PhD.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with PBMC isolation, cell culture, and B cell-focused immunology assays.
• Experience conducting mouse studies, including animal handling under an approved animal care and use protocol.
• Experience with hematology studies and related laboratory testing methods.
• Strong working knowledge of ELISA and other antibody-based assay development and validation.
• Experience working with a range of antigens in support of antibody characterization and development studies.
• Working knowledge of ISO 17025 requirements for laboratory quality and accreditation.
• Demonstrated experience writing, reviewing, and maintaining laboratory SOPs in support of accreditation standards.
• Familiarity with U.S. federal government contracting in a scientific or laboratory operations context.
• Experience contributing to or drafting government solicitation-related documents such as RFIs, RFPs, or RFQs.
• Must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Birmingham, Alabama area, as this is an on-site laboratory position.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document and present scientific findings clearly.

Preferred:

• Prior experience in a government-contracted or federally funded laboratory environment.
• Experience with laboratory accreditation audits (ISO 17025, CAP, CLIA, or similar) from preparation through assessment.
• Peer-reviewed publication record in immunology or related fields.
• Experience supervising or mentoring laboratory staff or junior scientists.
• Familiarity with proposal development processes and government acquisition terminology (e.g., PWS, SOW, technical volumes).

Work Environment:

• This position requires regular in-person laboratory work at our Birmingham, Alabama facility.
• Work involves standard laboratory environment conditions, including exposure to biological materials, chemical reagents, and animal research settings, with appropriate PPE and safety training provided.

Language Skills:

• The candidate must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

REQUIREMENT: Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident or have authorization for employment in the United States.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To apply for this position:

• If you are viewing this position on the ASRT Career page, please click on the "Apply" button.
• If you are viewing this position on a site other than the ASRT Career page, you may use the "click to apply" link, or you may apply by visiting our Career page and searching for the job title and position number listed at the top of this job posting.
• To view all of our open positions and to apply to job openings in which you may be interested, please visit our Career page at https://www.asrtinc.com/careers.

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