Laboratory and Research Specialist II

Job Description

The Laboratory and Research Specialist will conduct growth experiments with pure cultures of strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea, employing serum tubes and serum bottles, and analyze these cultures employing UV-visible spectroscopy, light microscopy and protein assays.

The Specialist will formulate and prepare appropriate growth media and cultivate strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea in these media (5-100 mL) and follow their growth by cell count as determined by use of a phase contrast microscope fitted with a Petroff-Hauser counter and optical density.

The Specialist will perform heterologous protein expression experiments with recombinant hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea and E. coli, estimate the levels of heterologous proteins expressed via SDS-PAGE and western blotting and purify these proteins to apparent homogeneity under aerobic and anaerobic conditions via affinity chromatography.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. Biochemistry or Microbiology or equivalent relevant experience and training;
• research experience in the cultivation of strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea in liquid media with gaseous substrates, use of an anaerobic chamber, purification of heterologously expressed proteins to apparent homogeneity and analysis of proteins via SDS-PAGE, western blotting and protein assay, and demonstrated experience with data processing using Microsoft Excel, and writing reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in performing spectrophotometric assays for enzymatic activity.

Pay & Benefits

• Pay Band 4
• Overtime Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
• Appointment Type: Restricted
• Salary Information: $26-$31/hr.
• Hours per week: Avg. of 29 hours per week (not to exceed 1,500 hours May 1 - April 30)

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.