Senior Biothreat Scientist

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world”s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.
We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

RTI’s Laboratory Science & Engineering group is seeking a senior Biothreat Scientist to develop and lead a portfolio of research and development projects in biological threat evolution, detection, fate, and mitigation and global health security.

This portfolio will leverage RTI’s existing strengths in bioaerosol science, exposure assessment, infectious disease surveillance, and health analytics. This position combines hands‑on technical leadership with business development, capture, and program management responsibilities focused on 6.2–6.4 R&D funded primarily by US defense agencies.

What You”ll Do

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical strategy, develop programs and conduct hands-on R&D in these topic areas:
• Cellular and molecular characterization of biological threats, including omics‑based profiling and modeling of pathogen evolution, modification, behavior, and host response.
• Natural and engineered biothreat assessment approaches, including modeling and epidemiology.
• Detection approaches that complement and extend current biosensor and bioaerosol capabilities.
• Decontamination and other threat mitigation measures.
• Develop client relationships and execute projects in infectious disease surveillance, detection, identification, and response, with a focus on especially dangerous pathogens and emerging infectious diseases relevant to domestic and global health security.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in exposure science, toxicology, data analytics and AI, and synthetic population modeling to deliver integrated threat assessment and mitigation solutions to defense agency sponsors.
• Drive business development and capture efforts:
• Build and sustain relationships with defense agency clients.
• Lead opportunity identification, customer engagement, white papers, and capture strategies for 6.2–6.4 funding opportunities.
• Serve as lead or key contributor on proposals, including strategy, technical writing, work planning, budgeting, and red/blue team reviews.
• Serve as PI or co-PI on multi-disciplinary projects, including planning, execution, staff mentoring, reporting, publications, and sponsor briefings.
• Mentor junior staff and foster cross‑disciplinary collaborations
• Ensure compliance with biosafety, export control, and contracting requirements and support security clearance processes as needed.
• Represent RTI at defense-related technical exchanges, interagency workshops, and scientific conferences, and contribute to strategic road mapping for biosecurity and bio surveillance

To achieve success in this role you will possess:

• Hands‑on experience conducting and leading laboratory or field research in BSL‑2 or BSL-3 environments with appropriate biological threat surrogates or agents.
• Proven track record winning and managing defense R&D programs (6.2–6.4) as PI or key technical lead with defense agency clients and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated business development and capture skills: customer engagement, opportunity shaping, proposal leadership, and portfolio building.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical reports, proposals, and sponsor presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to manage cross‑disciplinary teams and coordinate with external partners and government stakeholders.

What You”ll Need

• PhD in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, infectious disease epidemiology, bioengineering, or related field with 5+ years of post‑graduate (not including post-doctoral) professional experience in a field related to Biothreat Science.
• MS in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, infectious disease epidemiology, bioengineering, or related field and 8 years with demonstrated success leading comparable R&D programs will be considered, or:
• BS in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, infectious disease epidemiology, bioengineering, or related field and 10+ years with demonstrated success leading comparable R&D programs will be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following:
• Cellular/molecular pathogenesis and omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics) applied to threat agents.
• Biothreat modeling, epidemiology, or quantitative risk assessment.
• Development, evaluation, or deployment of bio surveillance or diagnostic systems in operational contexts.
• Biothreat detection and mitigation approaches.
• U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain security clearance preferred.
• Ability to participate in occasional CONUS/OCONUS travel

Preferred Qualifications:

• PI or experience working on a DARPA project.
• Familiarity with USG biosurveillance policies, CBRN defense concepts of operations, and interagency global health security frameworks.
• Experience integrating laboratory, field, and data/AI components into coherent operational concepts for US defense and security or allied partners.
• Experience with therapeutic and medical counter measure development or FDA approved drug re-purposing.
• Ability to apply expertise to other USG agencies.

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Equal Pay Act Minimum/Range
$140,000.00-$180,000.00