Laboratory Scientist 2 - Virology (PN20013913)

State of Ohio • Reynoldsburg, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Health Public Health Laboratory is hiring a Laboratory Scientist 2 to perform high-complexity testing on clinical and environmental samples. The role supports disease outbreak investigations, public health emergencies, identification of disease causes, and the production of timely, accurate laboratory data for prevention and treatment efforts.

The work may involve microbiological culture and identification, PCR and next-generation sequencing, complex sample preparation, radiochemistry and radiological analysis, mass spectrometry, HPLC, and other specialized methods. The scientist also performs quality-control testing, communicates test-result explanations to physicians and public agencies, monitors laboratory supplies, and maintains records and data in a Laboratory Information Management System.

The position is permanent, full-time, and scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is based at 8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Selected candidates must be vaccinated for Hepatitis B or be willing to receive the vaccination after hire. Work involves exposure to biofluids and tissue, sharps, caustic or toxic chemicals, and/or explosives; varying hours may be required, and employees must provide their own transportation.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated minimum qualification pathways: 42 months of pertinent laboratory experience; undergraduate core coursework in a biological, chemical, natural, or physical science plus 12 months of pertinent laboratory experience; completion of a master's core program in one of those sciences; 12 months of experience as a Laboratory Scientist 1; or one of the specified education, training, certification, and experience pathways for Department of Health positions.
• Be vaccinated for Hepatitis B before starting, or be willing and able to receive the vaccination after hire.
• Be able to provide own transportation.
• Be able to work under conditions involving potential exposure to biofluids and tissue, sharps, caustic or toxic chemicals, and/or explosives.
• Provide official transcripts for claimed post-secondary education when requested, within five working days.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate or advanced degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or Medical Laboratory Technician certification.
• Experience performing serological procedures, such as fluorescent antibody tests or immunoassays.
• Experience applying serological assay workflow best practices.
• Experience troubleshooting assay and instrument problems.
• Experience with quality assurance programs and documenting quality control.
• Experience in inventory control of reagents and supplies.
• Experience training others in microbiological and/or molecular techniques.
• Experience maintaining equipment, inventory, and records.
• Experience writing technical laboratory procedures.
• Experience performing molecular procedures, such as conventional or real-time PCR, digital PCR, or next-generation sequencing.
• Experience identifying and characterizing viruses.
• Experience communicating with laboratory, technical, and/or public health professionals.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-complexity testing requiring specialized knowledge, training, and judgment on clinical and environmental samples.
• Use microbiological culture methods, record observations such as colony morphology, perform Gram stains, and set up biochemical tests and other microbial identification methods.
• Perform testing using methods and technologies including MALDI-TOF, CIDT, BACTEC MGIT, Panther Fusion, PCR, and next-generation sequencing.
• Conduct complex sample preparations using chemical separation techniques such as digestion, precipitation, and column chromatography.
• Perform radiochemistry analysis, radiological counting, data analysis and reporting, gross alpha/beta and gamma analysis, environmental sample analysis, liquid scintillation, mass spectrometry, HPLC, and isoelectric focusing, as applicable.
• Perform quality-control testing on media, reagents, and test kits, and record observations.
• Communicate explanations of test results to physicians, local health departments, and other government agencies.
• Monitor routine laboratory supplies in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain work-related documentation and use the Laboratory Information Management System to input and process data.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems and optional deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed