Research Technician, NEIDL ARC Service Center. National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab

Salary Grade: 45
Expected Hiring Range: $23.00 – $31.00
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and internal pay comparison.

About the role

The Arboviral Research Core (ARC) is a specialized research core within the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) at Boston University. The NEIDL ARC is seeking a highly motivated Research Specialist. The ARC supports the production, maintenance, and infection of arthropod vectors to study the mechanisms of pathogen transmission between vectors and hosts. Operating under Arthropod Containment Level 3 (ACL-3), the ARC conducts complex research that is critical to advancing the understanding of emerging infectious diseases. The successful candidate will participate in multiple projects involving both internal and external collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct experiments using insect and mammalian cell culture systems, several mosquito species, and mouse models to investigate the transmission and acquisition of arboviruses.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, analyze data, and contribute to internal reports, contracts, and project documentation.
• Maintain laboratory and insectary operations in compliance with institutional, operational, and biosafety requirements; order reagents and supplies.

Required Skills

• Virology: Virus propagation and amplification, virus concentration by ultracentrifugation, viral quantification using plaque assays, TCID50 assays, and focus-forming assays.
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• Flow cytometry
• ELISA
• Molecular Biology: Molecular cloning, RNA interference techniques (siRNA and dsRNA), CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
• Insectary Operations: Mosquito rearing and colony maintenance, mosquito injection and dissection, artificial mosquito feeding techniques.

The ideal candidate must be willing to work with RG-3 pathogens. NEIDL will provide the necessary training and mentorship required for work in BSL-3 containment.

Requirements

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation:

• Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of: Social Security Number; academic credentials; past employment; licenses and credentials; Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check; RMV/DMV driving record, if required.
• Medical Clearance Process: Includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.
• Training and Education: To be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL.
• Additional Requirements for Select Agents: Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting (CDC requirements), Select Agent Use Approval (BPHC, IBC, and CDC regulations).

Any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access is subject to periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations; periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, licenses, and training completion. Continued employment/affiliation is contingent upon strict adherence to all applicable safety and security rules, procedures, and protocols, as well as required training regimens.