Polymer Science Phd Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
ECS is seeking a Senior Scientist/Engineer with a mix of expertise in nucleic acids, viruses, commensal microorganisms, and cell therapies to serve as a Scientific Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) to support an ARPA-H Program Manager and work in our Remote office.
Are you a passionate scientist with expertise in immunology, nucleic acid-based prophylactics and therapeutics, and synthetic biology and cell engineering, with experience supporting programs and projects pertaining to bioengineered solutions for complex health issues at the intersection of host biology and polymers/minerals? Are you ready to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) in their mission to accelerate better health outcomes for everyone by supporting complex and leading-edge research and development (R&D) projects designed to arrive at high-impact solutions to society's most challenging health problems?
In this role, you will collaborate with the ARPA-H Program Manager and team to effectuate bold ARPA-H research initiatives, support the development, funding, and management of new and existing R&D programs to meet ARPA-H's mission to accelerate better health outcomes for everyone. This role will support the management of programs and projects in topics pertaining to novel therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to nucleic acids, viruses, commensal microorganisms, and cell therapies; as well as bioengineered solutions to complex health issues at the intersection of host biology and polymers/minerals. Current and planned efforts include in vivo cell engineering; protein editing; tunable therapies that sense and respond to cell stimuli; trans-omic sequencing platform development to enable total molecular analysis of individual cells for research, diagnostics, and therapeutic design; and detection of and removal of toxic substances from the body. This is a remote, temporary position.
More detailed requirements below.
These SETA duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist, support, and provide advice to the Program Manager to further the development and progress of new and existing programs.
• Conduct thorough technical scientific evaluation of the current R&D landscape to identify gaps in research portfolios and address critical needs that are aligned with the ARPA-H mission.
• Monitor and track performers progress toward established metrics.
• Read and digest complex information and develop team and executive level briefings for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Use your strong logical and critical thinking skills to critically review scientific and technical data.
• Integrate into an existing team to support current ARPA-H efforts and operate independently and in a group environment in support of technical R&D efforts.
• Perform basic administrative tasks such as collecting, sorting, analyzing, and writing Internal programmatic reports/briefings on relevant topics in a health-related field.
• Some CONUS travel is expected (~10-20%) as needed to fully support the Program Manager and Program.

Salary Range: $145,000 - $185,000
General Description of Benefits
Required Skills

• Candidates must have a PhD in one of the following or related fields: immunology, nucleic acid therapeutics, synthetic biology, analytical chemistry, materials science, and applied biotechnology
• Experience in immunology, nucleic acid-based prophylactics and therapeutics, nucleic acid delivery, synthetic biology and cell engineering, gene regulation, biochemistry, analytical and polymer chemistry, materials science, mass spectrometry, in vivo imaging techniques, toxicology, cell and structural biology, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and microbiome and microbial communities.
• Experience coordinating independent verification and validation, and previous experience managing programs with cooperative agreements, Other Transaction (OT) awards, milestone-based contracts, FFRDCs, interagency efforts, and commercialization efforts.
• Ideal candidates must have strong PowerPoint and Excel skills, which include proficiency with keyboard shortcuts and ability to create PPT slides and Excel files on the fly during a meeting in a high-pressure environment.
• Professional curiosity, continuous drive for learning, and the ability to focus on assigned tasks are critical attributes of the ideal candidate.
• Strong technical writing skills, ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to broad audiences, digest basic and applied research across areas of biotechnology and apply to health capability gaps, and demonstrate a willingness to explore the scientific literature for emerging biotechnology
• Expertise anticipating and mitigating ethical, legal, and societal implications of high-profile research efforts is desired.
• Must be able to obtain a federal government Public Trust clearance.

Desired Skills

• Experience with animal/clinical studies, diagnostic development, therapeutic development, regulatory requirements, and test and evaluation are desired.
• Previous experience with basic and applied research is preferred.
• Prior support to executives managing large budget programs in an R&D environment is preferred.

#EverforthECS1
ECS Federal LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis any characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local jurisdiction law.
Everforth ECS is the federal segment of Everforth , a $4B global organization with over 10,000 employees. Our nearly 3,500 professionals deliver advanced technology solutions in data and AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise transformation, serving defense, intelligence, and federal civilian agencies.
Our work powers mission-critical outcomes, strengthens technology partnerships, and creates meaningful opportunities for our people. We are defined by a commitment to excellence in delivery, a culture of innovation, and an environment where talent can thrive and grow.
We value:

• Attracting and developing top talent and high-performing teams
• Fostering a culture that is engaging, accountable, and mission-driven

Meet the challenge. Make a difference with Everforth ECS!