Virology and Infectious Disease Research Scientist

About the role

Precise Systems seeks a Virologist/Infectious Disease Research Scientist to develop methods for detecting known, unknown, and emerging infectious human disease pathogens for field deployment. The candidate will also characterize and assess threats posed by emerging infectious disease pathogens, including viruses.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and deliver rapid, facile methods for identifying DNA and RNA pathogens using untargeted sequencing
• Develop detection methods in the laboratory, optimize and streamline them for field use, troubleshoot processes and equipment, train and prepare for field demonstrations
• Execute standard microbiological methods for cell lysis, DNA/RNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution
• Utilize Oxford Nanopore MiniION/GridION/PromethION and Illumina MiSeq platforms
• Execute standard microbiological techniques to perform cell lysis for DNA/RNA extractions, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution utilizing the Oxford Nanopore MinION and/or GridION
• Develop workflows, optimize and streamline for use in field environments, and troubleshoot processes and equipment to train and prepare for field demonstrations

Requirements

• M.S. in Virology, Microbiology, Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology or a related field
• 5 years' experience in standard microbiological methods for cell lysis, DNA/RNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution
• Experience and ability to be cleared for work in BSL3 and BSAT spaces
• Demonstrated proficiency in a biological laboratory environment (BSL-3)
• Willingness to learn new skills and methods, and solid technical communications skills
• Previous experience in BPRP or working with hazardous biological materials is highly preferred
• Previous experience working in a laboratory environment with hazardous biological or hazardous waste management
• Previous experience supporting research and/or testing of CBRN protection commodities

Qualifications

• PhD in Virology, Microbiology, Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology or a related field is desired

Skills

• Cell culture, viral growth, and virological techniques (plaque assays, TCID50s, neutralization assays)
• Untargeted sequencing
• Field deployment of detection methods
• Standard microbiological methods for cell lysis, DNA/RNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution
• Use of Oxford Nanopore MiniION/GridION/PromethION and Illumina MiSeq platforms
• Execution of standard microbiological techniques to perform cell lysis for DNA/RNA extractions, nucleic acid purification, DNA/RNA library preparation, and DNA/RNA library sequencing execution utilizing the Oxford Nanopore MinION and/or GridION
• Development of workflows, optimization, and troubleshooting for use in field environments

Benefits

The laboratory is well supported, with unique capabilities, and opportunities for publication and presentations. Compensation at Precise Systems is determined by various factors, including education, experience, skills, competencies, and contract-specific requirements. The salary range for this position is $76,709.40 to $120,000.96 (annualized USD).