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Biology Phd Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

ATCC

Lead Biologist

Manassas, VA · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience, or equivalent experience (Master's degree and 6 years, PhD and 3 years, or HS Diploma and 12 years). * Extensive experience with molecular biology QC ...

ATCC

Lead Biologist

Manassas, VA · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience, or equivalent experience (Master's degree and 6 years, PhD and 3 years, or HS Diploma and 12 years). * Extensive experience with molecular biology QC ...

Systems Planning and Analysis

DTRA Biologist

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

Desired: * PhD in Biology, Microbiology, Bioengineering, or related field. * Experience in chemical and biological threat diagnostics as part of the DoW research and development enterprise.

Systems Planning and Analysis

DTRA Biologist

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

Desired: * PhD in Biology, Microbiology, Bioengineering, or related field. * Experience in chemical and biological threat diagnostics as part of the DoW research and development enterprise.

SPA

DTRA Biologist with Security Clearance

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

Desired: * PhD in Biology, Microbiology, Bioengineering, or related field. * Experience in chemical and biological threat diagnostics as part of the DoW research and development enterprise.

Battelle

Biologist/ Bioinformatics Scientist

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... biology team across a range of high-priority national security missions. Responsibilities may ... Master's or PhD degree in bioinformatics, epidemiology, and/or microbiology with 1-3 years of ...

Guidehouse

Structural Biology Research Scientist

Bethesda, MD

$85K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

PhD in Structural Biology or a related field * Microsoft Office * Technical experience needed to assist in studying the basic principles of plant and animal life. * Technical support and ...

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All JobsBiology Phd JobsBiology Phd Jobs in Reston, VA

Biology Phd information

What is the difference between Biology Phd vs Biological Scientist?

AspectBiology PhdBiological Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctorate in Biology or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Biology or related field; Phd optional
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, universitiesResearch labs, industry, government agencies
Industry UsageAcademic research, teaching, advanced research rolesApplied research, product development, regulatory work

The main difference between a Biology Phd and a Biological Scientist lies in their education level and typical roles. A Biology Phd has advanced research training and often works in academia or high-level research, while a Biological Scientist may hold a bachelor's or master's degree and work in applied research or industry settings. Both roles are vital in advancing biological sciences, but the Phd typically leads to more specialized and independent research positions.

What can I do after getting a biology PhD?

A biology PhD prepares individuals for careers in research, academia, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and science communication. Graduates often pursue postdoctoral positions, faculty roles, or work in industry settings that require advanced scientific expertise and research skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a biology PhD?

To excel as a Biology PhD, you need advanced expertise in biological research, strong analytical skills, and a doctoral degree in biology or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, statistical analysis software (such as R or SPSS), and scientific publishing platforms is typically required. Critical thinking, perseverance, and effective communication are standout soft skills for presenting research and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for conducting rigorous research, publishing impactful findings, and advancing scientific understanding in the field.

Is a biology PhD worth it?

A biology PhD prepares individuals for research, academia, and specialized roles in healthcare, environmental science, and biotechnology. However, it often requires several years of study and may lead to competitive job markets with variable salaries, making its value dependent on career goals and industry demand.

What are some common challenges biology PhD candidates face during their research, and how can they overcome them?

Biology PhD candidates often encounter challenges such as designing robust experiments, troubleshooting unexpected results, and managing large volumes of data. Balancing laboratory work with coursework and teaching responsibilities can also be demanding. To overcome these obstacles, it's important to seek guidance from advisors and peers, stay organized with clear project timelines, and actively participate in lab meetings for collaborative problem-solving. Building a support network within your department can also help you navigate setbacks and maintain motivation throughout your doctoral journey.

What is a biology PhD?

Biology PhDs are individuals who have completed a doctoral program in biology, which involves advanced coursework, original research, and the completion of a dissertation. Earning a PhD in biology typically takes 4-6 years and qualifies graduates for careers in academia, research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other science-related fields. Biology PhDs often specialize in areas such as genetics, ecology, molecular biology, or physiology, and contribute new knowledge to the field through their research.

What are popular job titles related to Biology Phd jobs in Reston, VA?

For Biology Phd jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Biology Phd jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Biology Phd jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Biology Phd jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Biology Phd job openings:

Biology Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Biology Phd job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution.

NIST PREP Research Associate in AI for Engineering Biology

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: AI Researcher: Engineering Biology
The work will entail: Plan and conduct research to advance measurement capabilities to aid in the predictive engineering of biological systems, such as proteins, as part of the NIST Engineering Biology Program. Develop artificial intelligence and machine learning analysis pipelines to support automation and protocol development for wetlab procedures, as well as development of platforms for new, quantitative measurements and validated methods for evaluating the functional performance of engineered biological parts and systems. Develop automation workflows for bottleneck processes in biosecurity screening and synthetic biology. Support NIST's mission through service as a subject matter expert in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to measurement innovation in synthetic biology. Engage stakeholders and identify opportunities for standards development.
US Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Perform measurement analysis using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning
  • Generate and maintain analysis software, along with documentation
  • Conduct analysis and assist staff in conducting analysis
  • Maintain and administer hardware solutions for project and group compute tasks
  • Advise Division and NIST management as a subject matter expert
  • Organize, conduct, and attend relevant meetings, and provide written summaries or other documentation to NIST management and stakeholders
  • Obtain and provide relevant information to inform NIST management and stakeholders
  • Maintain deep technical knowledge of advances in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to measurement challenges in synthetic biology, such as those relevant to biosafety and biosecurity
  • Demonstrate attention to detail
  • Execute novel technical research
  • Support sequence to function research for protein engineering
  • Develop and apply infrastructure for data analysis
  • Establish and document standard operating procedures for analysis pipelines

Qualifications
  • A PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
  • 2 years of relevant experience.
  • Familiarity with DevOps and CICD pipelines.
  • Ability to work with real-time event data at scale.
  • Familiarity with multiple scripting languages.
  • Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004155

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