Assistant Research Scientist

Health Research, Inc. • Albany, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Research Scientist will participate in support services for surveillance testing for the detection and characterization of circulating and emerging human pathogens of major public health interest, from wastewater collected across numerous sites throughout New York State. State-of-the-art methods employed in this work will include techniques such as particle assisted precipitation, ultracentrifugation, and nucleic acid extraction methods. The incumbent will assist with the receiving, accessioning, processing, and extraction of wastewater samples as well as provide technical support for development work on Quality Assurance projects, methods comparisons, and assay Research and Development. Wastewater testing is a relatively new and rapidly expanding surveillance method already extensively used for COVID-19 and other critical pathogens. As a member of the largest state public health Virology laboratory team in the US, the incumbent will participate in the largest state wastewater surveillance program in the US. This dynamic program involves multiple collaborating investigators with wastewater testing programs in infectious diseases and organic molecules. The high-quality operation of this front-end laboratory to the entire program is critical to the successful performance of all downstream laboratories and outcomes. This position will be part of a dynamic research and development team serving the Wadsworth Center’s mission in the New York State Department of Health’s efforts to protect and promote the health of New York’s citizens. Come, be a part of Science in the Pursuit of Health!

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of research experience; OR a Master’s degree in a related field.
• Compliance with funding requirements such as time and effort reporting, grant deliverables, and contract deliverables, is required.
• The selected candidate must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the official work location specified in the job posting and must also be located in or willing to relocate to one of the following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, or Massachusetts, prior to hire.
• The incumbent in this position will be required to wear personal protective clothing and equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in a biological/biomedical science.
• At least one year of experience handling infectious agents and performing molecular methods for the extraction of nucleic acid.
• Experience with laboratory quality assurance practices.

Responsibilities

• Participate in support services for surveillance testing for the detection and characterization of circulating and emerging human pathogens of major public health interest, from wastewater collected across numerous sites throughout New York State.
• Assist with the receiving, accessioning, processing, and extraction of wastewater samples
• Provide technical support for development work on Quality Assurance projects, methods comparisons, and assay Research and Development.

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance - Several comprehensive health insurance plans to choose from
• Flexible benefit accounts - Medical, dependent care, adoption assistance, parking and transit
• Generous paid time off - Paid federal and state holidays, paid sick, vacation and personal leave
• Tuition support - Assistance is available for individuals pursuing educational or training opportunities
• Retirement Benefits - HRI is a participating employer in the New York State and Local Retirement System and offers optional enrollment in the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan. HRI provides a postretirement Health Benefits Plan for qualified retirees to use towards health insurance premiums and eligible medical expenses
• Employee Assistance Program - Provides educational and wellness programs, training, and 24/7 confidential services to assist employees, both personally and professionally

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level