USDA-APHIS Microbiologist Research Fellow

About the role

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking a Microbiologist Research Fellow to join the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Manhattan, Kansas. The fellow will work on developing, evaluating, and validating rapid, accurate, and sensitive diagnostic methods for detecting disease pathogens.

Responsibilities

• Test, adapt, and develop novel diagnostics
• Verify results and conduct limited research on molecular and microbiological assays
• Collaborate with NVSL diagnosticians, microbiologists, bioinformaticians, and researchers on laboratory, diagnostics, and developmental projects
• Learn about zoonotic diseases, their impact on trade, surveillance procedures, diagnostic testing methodologies, whole genome sequencing, and molecular epidemiology

Requirements

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only. The fellow should have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in life health and medical sciences within the past five years.

Research is performed in a BSL-2/3 laboratory. Interacting with unknown pathogenic agents requires the use of biocontainment hoods and personal protective gear, which is strenuous on the individual.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and background in virology, molecular biology, serology, and cell biology
• BSL-2 laboratory experience with hands-on experience in wet-lab procedures
• Interest in the development of diagnostic technologies for viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases
• Functional knowledge of molecular techniques such as PCR, real-time PCR, PCR primer/probe design, DNA sequencing, and analysis
• Functional knowledge in cell biology and serology
• Ability to independently design, perform, and interpret experiments
• Experience with diagnostic test interpretation and evaluation
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multitask, collaborate, and be in a team
• Proficiency in technical writing, oral communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Critical thinking skills to develop experimental approaches and interpret data
• Demonstrated flexibility and self-motivation
• Achievement-oriented, and welcome use of a variety of approaches to address important, challenging scientific problems

Skills

• Knowledge and background in virology/ molecular biology/serology/cell biology
• BSL-2 laboratory experience with hands-on experience in wet-lab procedures
• Interest in the development of diagnostic technologies for viral, bacterial and fungal diseases
• Functional knowledge of molecular techniques such as: PCR; real-time PCR; PCR primer/probe design and DNA sequencing and analysis
• Functional knowledge in cell biology and serology
• Ability to independently design, perform, and interpret experiments
• Experience with diagnostic test interpretation and evaluation
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multitask, collaborate and be in a team
• Proficiency in technical writing, oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Critical thinking skills to develop experimental approaches and interpret data
• Demonstrated flexibility and self-motivation
• Achievement oriented, and welcome use of a variety of approaches to address important, challenging scientific problems

Benefits

The fellow will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $51,000 - $75,000 annually.

Pay

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $51,000 - $75,000 annually.

Schedule

The appointment will initially be for one year but may be renewed upon recommendation of APHIS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Contact

Please visit our Program Website for more information. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email USDA-APHIS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.