Bacteriology Technician

Cherokee Federal•Frederick, MD

12h•$70,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

Cherokee Nation Integrated Health (CNIH) is seeking a Bacteriology Lab Tech IV to support bacteriology research, laboratory testing, animal studies, and laboratory operations at Fort Detrick, Maryland. In this role, you will perform bacteriological and molecular assays, support small animal and non-human primate studies, conduct equipment and method validations, and provide technical support for research involving bacterial pathogens, vaccines, therapeutics, and animal modeling. The successful candidate will possess experience supporting bacteriology research and laboratory operations, with the ability to perform laboratory assays, support animal studies, maintain accurate records, and work in BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments. This position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to work independently and collaboratively with principal investigators and laboratory personnel, and adherence to applicable laboratory, safety, inventory, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Bacteriology, Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
Experience supporting bacteriology, microbiology, molecular biology, or related laboratory research activities.
Experience performing laboratory assays and molecular techniques, including complement fixation assays, minimum inhibitory concentration antibiotic testing, and RT-PCR analyses.
Experience supporting animal research, including murine models and/or non-human primate studies.
Experience working in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments and following applicable laboratory safety and research protocols.
Experience with laboratory equipment and method validation, inventory management, equipment tracking, and laboratory supply procurement.
Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, analyze and document research data, and prepare technical reports, standard operating procedures, and scientific manuscripts.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings to scientific and technical audiences.
Must maintain CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment in accordance with the provisions in the contract and all applicable regulations and pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.
Requires an active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
Requires being a US Citizen.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting bacteriology research involving bacterial pathogens, vaccines, therapeutics, or animal modeling.
Experience with complement fixation, minimum inhibitory concentration antibiotic testing, RT-PCR, or related bacteriological and molecular assays.
Experience supporting murine or non-human primate studies in a research environment.
Experience conducting equipment and method validations in a laboratory setting.
Experience working with BSAT materials and performing BSAT inventory management.
Experience supporting laboratory operations in BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments, including safety functions and chemical inventory management.
Experience with GFEBS or similar laboratory procurement and equipment inventory systems.
Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, standard operating procedures, technical reports, or other research documentation.
Experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences or to internal and external scientific audiences, including willingness to travel CONUS or OCONUS as required.

Responsibilities

Perform approximately four equipment validations and four method validations annually.
Perform approximately 20 complement fixation assays annually.
Support approximately six small animal studies using murine models.
Perform approximately five minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) antibiotic testing activities.
Assist the Principal Investigator with at least one non-human primate (NHP) study annually supporting vaccine and therapeutic efforts or animal modeling efforts for bacterial pathogens of interest to the Department of War.
Perform RT-PCR analyses to support bacteriology research activities.
Order laboratory equipment and supplies, including approximately 50 GFEBS orders annually, and serve as a sub-hand receipt holder for equipment.
Perform weekly BSAT inventory management and conduct equipment inventory management twice annually in BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments.
Perform monthly laboratory management activities, including safety functions and chemical inventory.
Review relevant scientific literature monthly and assist with the preparation of standard operating procedures and manuscripts related to research activities.
Present research findings in written and oral formats internally and publicly, as requested, including presenting research findings at one scientific conference annually. Conference participation may require CONUS or OCONUS travel.
Prepare and submit one Bacteriology Technical Support monthly report to the TPOC by the last working day of each month, including materials and methods, data, and data analysis.
Perform other duties as assigned.