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Research Assistant or Analyst - International Engagement

This position offers options for in-person (in the District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area), hybrid or remote (within the US) work
Company Description
Gryphon Scientific is a small, growing consulting business with a unique focus on physical and life sciences, public health, and program management and evaluation. We capitalize on our staff’s rich, past experience in the laboratory, in policy shops and from the field, combined with literature-based research and interview data collection, to tackle projects with complex technical challenges. Our projects drive policy changes in security, preparedness, and science policy at the highest levels of US government. Abroad, we collaborate with international partners to address daunting public health challenges. Our aim is to improve the health and safety of populations world-wide. Gryphon strongly encourages collaboration across disciplines, throughout the company, and between junior and senior staff, including a large cadre of PhD scientists. Personal and professional development are actively supported through opportunities to work across a wide range of projects. The energy of our small business environment, as well as our commitment to technical excellence, attracts staff with interesting and impressive backgrounds as well as recent graduates seeking a challenging and rewarding career. Gryphon boasts a friendly work environment, a comprehensive employee benefit package, and places an emphasis on work-life integration, which has afforded us excellent employee retention. Gryphon strives to maintain diversity, equity, inclusion, and sense of belonging in our daily work. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity.
Job Description
Gryphon Scientific’s International Engagement practice area is seeking a Research Assistant (RA) or Analyst to support a portfolio of international engagement projects, primarily focused on global health systems strengthening and laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. This RA or Analyst will collect and curate data from published literature, policy documents, and other sources, conduct analysis, and summarize their findings in technical documents for diverse audiences. The RA or Analyst also will support the design and implementation of international engagement activities such as workshops and conferences. RAs and Analysts may have the opportunity to learn and apply qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and interface with diverse groups of scientific and public health experts from around the world. This position requires critical thinking, problem-solving, and strong communication skills to develop and implement innovative, collaborative, and sustainable solutions to challenging health and security problems worldwide. Our projects seek to strengthen health and laboratory systems, improve cross-sector and regional collaboration, and address emerging threats. This RA or Analyst primarily will support projects in Gryphon’s International Engagement practice area but may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects in other practice areas. (Note, you will not be involved in laboratory work; there is no lab on the premises.)
Duties:
  • Gain familiarity and understanding of topics including but not limited to infectious diseases, global health security, One Health, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, emergency preparedness and response, biotechnology, and/or public health.
  • Collect and abstract information from peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, gray literature, and other sources for various analytic and strategic coordination tasks.
  • Work closely with Principal Investigators, Project Managers, and senior research staff to develop research-based work products, develop training and workshop materials, and support recruitment of training and workshop participants.
  • Draft sections of written products designed for both scientific and non-technical audiences. Examples of written products include policy and literature analysis, training and workshop materials, and policy, planning and guidelines/SOP documents.
  • Perform project-related logistics and support functions. Examples include note-taking during regular meetings and workshop events, and managing communications to various stakeholders.
  • Provide status updates to project managers and team members and coordinate across multidisciplinary teams.
  • This position involves occasional work at non-standard hours to participate in early morning or evening calls with international partners in other time zones.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications
  • Research Assistant: Undergraduate degree in a life science or related discipline (such as Public Health, Global Health, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering).
  • Analyst: Undergraduate degree as above plus three years’ work experience in public health, global health, or a related field, OR Master’s degree in a life science or related discipline plus one year work experience in public health, global health, or a related field.
  • GPA 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0) during final two years of college.
  • U.S. citizenship is required due to government client requirements.
  • Must have a valid passport or be willing to obtain one.
  • Employees must be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations to enter Gryphon’s Takoma Park office (have received all doses in the primary series and all recommended boosters, when eligible). Please see the CDC webpage for additional details: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC.
Required Skills
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Technical writing skills that will be used to develop effective training and workshop materials, written reports, and policy, planning, and guidelines/SOP documents for a variety of scientific and non-technical stakeholders
  • Proficiency in qualitative or quantitative methods of scientific research and collecting, organizing, and interpreting findings from a variety of sources
  • Ability to write clear, concise, and courteous emails for a wide variety of audiences
  • Attention to detail, organization skills, and excellent follow-through
  • Analyst: Demonstrated ability to work on assignments that are moderately complex under indirect supervision
Additional Skills and Experience
  • Experience or interest in working with international partners, particularly from the Global South
  • Experience organizing or supporting interactive workshops and meetings
  • If you have any foreign language skills, please let us know!
Travel Requirement
  • This position may require international travel 1-2 times a year, for approximately a week each time, to support in-person engagements involving international partners. Travel may be required to countries with vaccination requirements for entry.

Gryphon is seeking applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities, including those who can demonstrate the above skills and abilities developed through non-traditional work history, experiences, and education. While all the required skills/abilities above are important for the work we do, we are happy to discuss how your non-traditional experiences can support our work.

Benefits

Gryphon Offers:
  • Fully paid health insurance for staff, and discounted rates for family members
  • Dental, disability, and life insurance
  • Flexible working hours
  • Options for in-person (in the District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area), hybrid or remote work (within the U.S.)
  • Paid time off, in addition to 10 paid holidays
  • Continuing education benefits (after 6 months of employment at the beginning of the year)
  • Generous year-end profit sharing and performance bonuses
  • Wellness benefits (funds gym memberships, exercise classes, etc.)
  • Up to 12 weeks leave, per the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Parental leave
  • Flex spending account (FSA)
  • 401K with 3% match (after 6 months of employment)
  • Bereavement leave

Salary Range:
Research Assistant: $40,000 - $44,000
Analyst: $44,000 - $60,000