Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Virology Specialist

💰 $75,000 - $140,000

ScienceResearch & DevelopmentBiotechnologyPharmaceuticalsHealthcare

🎯 Role Definition

A Virology Specialist is a highly skilled scientist at the forefront of infectious disease research. They are the subject matter expert dedicated to unraveling the complex mechanisms of viral pathogens, from their molecular structure and replication cycles to their interactions with the host immune system. Functioning as a critical member of research and development teams, the specialist designs and executes pivotal experiments that drive the discovery and development of novel antiviral therapies, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. This role requires a deep blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on laboratory expertise to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in public health and medicine.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Virology, Immunology)
  • Research Scientist (Biology/Microbiology)
  • Senior Research Associate

Advancement To:

  • Senior Scientist, Virology
  • Principal Investigator
  • Associate Director, Virology
  • Group Leader, Infectious Diseases

Lateral Moves:

  • Medical Science Liaison
  • Field Application Scientist
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist (Biologics)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, execute, and meticulously document complex in-vitro experiments to investigate viral lifecycles, host-pathogen interactions, and mechanisms of viral pathogenesis.
  • Develop, optimize, and validate a diverse portfolio of virological and immunological assays, including but not limited to plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT), TCID50 assays, and focus-forming assays (FFA).
  • Perform advanced molecular biology techniques such as quantitative PCR (qPCR), reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR), and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) for viral load quantification and gene expression analysis.
  • Master and maintain aseptic techniques for the culture of various adherent and suspension mammalian cell lines, as well as primary human cells, for use in viral infection models.
  • Lead the in-vitro screening and characterization of small molecule antiviral compounds, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccine candidates to determine their potency, efficacy, and mechanism of action.
  • Independently analyze and interpret large, complex datasets from multiple experimental sources, applying appropriate statistical methods and drawing scientifically sound conclusions to guide project decisions.
  • Take primary responsibility for the propagation, titration, sequencing, and quality control of viral stocks (e.g., Influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, Herpesviruses) within a BSL-2 or BSL-3 containment facility.
  • Author comprehensive technical documents, including detailed study protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and formal research reports suitable for internal review and regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, BLA).
  • Act as a key scientific contributor by preparing and delivering compelling presentations of research findings to internal project teams, senior management, and at external scientific conferences and symposia.
  • Contribute significantly to the preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, and abstracts for conference presentations.
  • Employ molecular cloning strategies, site-directed mutagenesis, and recombinant protein expression and purification techniques to generate critical research tools and reagents.
  • Maintain a deep and current understanding of the virology field by consistently reviewing scientific literature, attending webinars, and monitoring the competitive and technological landscape.
  • Operate and maintain sophisticated laboratory instrumentation, including flow cytometers, high-content imaging systems, automated liquid handlers, and plate readers, including troubleshooting performance issues.
  • Foster a highly collaborative environment by working closely with cross-functional teams such as immunology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and clinical development to align on project goals and advance therapeutic programs.
  • Ensure the integrity and accuracy of all experimental work by meticulously recording methods, raw data, and analyses in an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) in real-time.
  • Provide scientific guidance, technical training, and mentorship to junior scientists, research associates, and interns, fostering their professional and scientific growth.
  • Lead efforts to establish and characterize novel cellular or organoid models of viral infection to assess therapeutic efficacy.
  • Utilize protein-based assays such as ELISA, Western Blotting, and Luminex to characterize host and viral protein expression and host-cell immune responses to infection.
  • Manage the generation and characterization of recombinant viruses and replicons using reverse genetics systems to study viral gene function and antiviral resistance.
  • Serve as the virology subject matter expert on multidisciplinary project teams, providing critical insights and strategic direction for antiviral discovery and development programs.
  • Ensure strict compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and institutional guidelines, particularly when working with infectious agents in BSL-2/BSL-3 environments.

Secondary Functions

  • Manage laboratory inventory for virology-specific reagents and consumables, coordinate equipment maintenance schedules, and evaluate new capital equipment.
  • Serve on internal safety committees, contribute to the development of risk assessments, and champion best practices for laboratory safety and compliance.
  • Support intellectual property initiatives by providing detailed experimental data, drafting invention disclosures, and assisting in the preparation of patent applications.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer novel scientific questions as they arise.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader infectious disease research strategy and long-term scientific roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business development and external academic or industry partners to evaluate potential in-licensing opportunities or research collaborations.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile project management ceremonies within the research and development team to ensure timely project execution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Extensive hands-on experience in aseptic mammalian cell culture, including the maintenance of both established cell lines and primary cells.
  • Demonstrated expertise in a wide array of classical and modern virological techniques, such as plaque assays, TCID50, neutralization assays, and reporter virus assays.
  • Proficiency in standard and advanced molecular biology methods, including RT-qPCR, molecular cloning, Gibson assembly, and Western blotting.
  • Verifiable experience working independently within a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory; BSL-3 experience is highly preferred.
  • Proven ability in de novo assay development, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting for complex biological systems.
  • Strong competency with scientific data analysis and visualization software, particularly GraphPad Prism, and familiarity with flow cytometry analysis software (e.g., FlowJo).
  • Experience with advanced immunological assays (e.g., ELISpot, intracellular cytokine staining, multiplex immunoassays) to assess immune responses.
  • Knowledge of viral genetics and experience with generating and characterizing recombinant viruses using reverse genetics systems.
  • Familiarity with high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms and laboratory automation for antiviral compound screening.
  • Meticulous record-keeping ability using an Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) system in a regulated or industry setting.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a methodical approach to troubleshooting experimental challenges.
  • Superior written and oral communication skills, capable of presenting complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
  • A high degree of self-motivation, personal accountability, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Strong collaborative spirit with a proven track record of functioning effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Adaptability and mental agility to pivot research direction based on emerging data and shifting project priorities.
  • A deep intellectual curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning to stay at the cutting edge of the field.
  • Natural leadership qualities with experience or aptitude for mentoring and training junior research staff.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's Degree (M.S.) with 5+ years of highly relevant post-graduate experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting.

Preferred Education:

Doctorate (Ph.D.)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Virology
  • Microbiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: For Ph.D. candidates: 0-3+ years of postdoctoral research or direct industry experience. For M.S. candidates: 5-8+ years of direct industry experience in a relevant role.

Preferred: Demonstrated experience in an industrial drug discovery or vaccine development setting, with a track record of advancing projects from discovery to preclinical development. Experience with RNA viruses (e.g., Influenza, RSV, Coronaviruses) is highly desirable.

Explore More Careers