Associate Microbiologist

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated microbiologist to contribute to a team focused on engineering microbial metabolic pathways. As part of the Biological Sciences Group, in the Research Exploratory Development Department, you will be at the forefront of APL's mission to provide impactful contributions to critical challenges. You will contribute to building outstanding expertise in molecular biology, in the pursuit of challenges in national security.

Responsibilities

• Drive experimental execution across projects involving engineering of non-model microbes.
• Work with a variety of non-lab adapted yeast and bacterial microbial systems.
• Absorb and collaborate with scientists in support of laboratory-based experimentation.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and optimize experimental protocols and study design.
• Absorb and assist with basic laboratory functions, including lab cleanliness, organization, and equipment upkeep.
• Be a part of a team providing leadership in the development of new opportunities and support internal initiatives, driving technical innovation and growth in areas relevant to APL sponsors.
• Communicate key findings both internally at team meetings and externally to sponsors.
• Participate in the broader APL community by presenting data to interdisciplinary groups and to department management.

Qualifications

• Have a B.S. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a similar field. 1+ year of experience in a laboratory setting.
• Have experience culturing a variety of bacteria and yeast.
• Have experience designing, running, and troubleshooting a wide range of biological assays.
• Be proficient in basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA manipulation and analysis, qPCR, assay development, microscopy techniques, and microbial cell culture.
• Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI, level clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have a M.S. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a similar field with at least 3 years of experience in a laboratory setting.
• Have experience working with non-lab adapted microbial strains, like Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Corynebacterium glutamicum.
• Have expertise culturing and manipulating anaerobic microbes.
• Have experience with assays characterizing microbial surface colonization and biofilm formation.
• Have previous experience in genetic engineering techniques, metabolic engineering, or biomaterials.
• Have experience with environmental microbiology, fungi, or microbiome systems.