Microbiologist II (Genomic Microbiology Services)

About the role

Goldbelt Professional Services specializes in providing expert resources for Public Health missions including scientific, technical, and administrative support from junior staff to high-level subject matter experts. Research and data driven, Goldbelt Professional Services’ experts create solutions customized to the client’s needs. As a Microbiologist II the candidate shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of Genomic sequencing, molecular diagnostics, and/or biological activities, and/or processes of viruses, humans, and animals, and their component parts.

Responsibilities

• Perform virus diagnostic testing, including the Pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay and other assays for either confirmation or screening.
• Perform genomic sequencing using the traditional Sanger sequencing methods and the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including Nanopore sequencing
• Perform phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences to improve typing, surveillance, and controls.
• Perform research activities to improve, enhance, or develop new diagnostic assay developments with the incorporation of advanced technologies
• Train other members of the laboratory or external laboratory researchers with diagnostic assays.
• Participate in branch international research activities to evaluate laboratory capabilities, procure equipment and reagents for diagnostic assays, and train laboratory personnel in diagnostic assays
• Lead and participate in studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories as they relate to nucleic acid-based diagnostics or as needed.
• Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities, including documentation suitable for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
• Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research activities
• Propagating and purifying viruses for use in assays for validation of diagnostic assays and investigative purposes.
• Performing nucleic acid extractions on animal samples known or potentially infected with zoonotic agents, including rabies virus and orthopoxvirus species
• Maintenance and consolidation of all records as related to historical viruses, and investigation of all reagents produced during these studies.
• Analyzing data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts
• Effectively communicate research activities through presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings
• Presentation of works in national/international conferences and preparation of manuscripts and research articles for publication.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of virology, molecular microbiology, molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, and infectious disease laboratory methods.
• Hands-on experience performing nucleic acid extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR, and other molecular diagnostic assays for viral detection or confirmation.
• Experience with genomic sequencing methods, including Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore