Research Scientist

Department: College of Science

Classification: Research Staff 12-month

Job Category: Research Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Manassas, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The School of Systems Biology was created to support the College’s strategic plan in educating graduate students in Biology, Biosciences and Bioinformatics, and performing high-level research in these areas. Faculty contribute their scholarship by performing research with graduate students and publishing and disseminating that information through papers, presentations, and classes. The Center for Infectious Disease Research is a newly rechartered center with the goal to achieve significant excellence in and promote infectious disease research at George Mason University in the College of Science.

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

This position supports a sponsored research project. The Research Technical Staff member works with the Associate Chair of Research to accomplish technical goals of the grant. These technical goals include performing experiments as outlined in the proposal, ordering reagents and materials for the grant, performing data analysis, contributing to data reporting and report writing, as well as editing and reviewing to ensure accuracy of the data. These experiments include antibacterial assays, cytotoxicity assays, qPCR, bacterial growth determination and quantification, as well as working with collaborators on the grant.

Responsibilities:

• Performs experiments including bacteriology experiments with the multi-drug resistant bacteria of ESKAPE pathogens. Experiments include minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum biofilm inhibition concentration, and minimum biofilm eradication assays. Provides bacterial cultures for other researchers working on cell-culture assays;
• Responsible for maintaining the antimicrobial peptide stocks and database, as well as aliquoting peptides for everyone’s use on the project, including collaborators;
• Assists the PI with maintaining supplies of needed laboratory chemicals and reagents, assists with maintaining laboratory safety, and maintains compliance with all applicable EHS regulations;
• Performs data analysis of their data and assists the PI with providing data and graphs for quarterly and annual reports; and
• Performs other experiments and tasks in the laboratory as assigned by the PI.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Microbiology or related field;
• Experience (generally a minimum of 1 year) doing bacteriology in a research lab setting, including experience performing minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum biofilm inhibition concentration, minimum biofilm eradication assays, and growing and handling multi-drug resistant ESKAPE pathogens at BSL-2;
• Strong interpersonal skills and works effectively as part of a supervised research team; coordinates with project staff, students, and collaborators;
• Ability to execute technical workstreams with attention to detail, replicability, and accuracy;
• Ability to contribute to internal technical documentation, data summaries, figures, or early-stage manuscript drafts;
• Ability to apply both standard and non-standard procedures to contribute to active research under supervision;
• Strong understanding of theoretical and methodological principles in the relevant scientific or technical field;
• Proficient in conducting experiments and analyzing data using appropriate tools and techniques;
• Capable of communicating methods and results clearly within the research team;
• Demonstrates reliability, initiative, and openness to feedback in research settings; and
• Willingness to operate under direction while learning and growing into independent responsibility over time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience analyzing data in GraphPad Prizm; and
• Experience working on a large team research project.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Research Scientist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 16, 2025

Posting Close Date: September 30, 2025