Microbiologist II (Diagnostic Microbiology Services)

Goldbelt, Inc.•Atlanta, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Microbiologist II, the candidate shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of immune responses after vaccination, humoral and cellular immune responses, biological activities, and/or processes of viruses, humans, and animals, and their component parts. This position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid. Goldbelt Professional Services specializes in providing expert resources for Public Health missions including scientific, technical, and administrative support from junior staff to high-level subject matter experts. Research and data driven, Goldbelt Professional Services’ experts create solutions customized to the client’s needs.

Requirements

Working knowledge of virology, immunology, molecular biology, serology, and diagnostic microbiology applicable to viral diseases and vaccine-related immune responses.
Hands-on experience performing viral diagnostic assays, including fluorescent antibody, neutralization, serologic, immunologic, or comparable confirmatory and screening methods.
Experience supporting assay development, optimization, validation, and implementation of new diagnostic or immunologic technologies.
Ability to conduct laboratory studies in BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 environments while following established biosafety, biosecurity, quality, and contamination-control procedures.
Experience with cell culture, maintenance of cell lines and viral stocks, and propagation and purification of viruses for diagnostic or research purposes.
Working knowledge of humoral and cellular immune response testing and laboratory methods used to evaluate vaccine or infection-related immune responses.
Ability to support or participate in animal studies involving viral challenge or inoculation and to process associated specimens in accordance with established protocols.
Strong laboratory documentation and records-management skills, including maintenance of protocols, study records, reagent inventories, experimental data, and publication-quality documentation.
Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory data in support of diagnostic investigations, research studies, assay evaluation, and outbreak-response activities.
Strong written and oral communication skills for training laboratory personnel, presenting research findings, and contributing to reports, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.
Bachelors microbiology, virology, immunology, molecular biology, biological sciences, or a closely related scientific field.
2-5 years of relevant experience
Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Public Trust Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in microbiology, virology, immunology, molecular biology, biological sciences, or a closely related scientific field.
Approximately 3–5 years of relevant laboratory experience in viral diagnostics, immunology, infectious disease research, public health laboratory science, or related areas.
Direct experience performing DFA, RFFIT, virus-neutralization, fluorescent antibody, or other rabies-related diagnostic and serologic assays.
Experience evaluating humoral or cellular immune responses following vaccination or infection.
Experience conducting diagnostic or research activities in BSL-3 laboratories and working with zoonotic or emerging viral pathogens.
Experience participating in or coordinating animal studies involving viral inoculation, specimen collection, and laboratory testing.
Experience propagating, purifying, characterizing, or maintaining rabies virus, orthopoxviruses, or other viral isolates.
Experience performing nucleic acid extraction and testing of animal specimens potentially infected with zoonotic agents.
Experience training laboratory staff or external partners in diagnostic assays, including international laboratory capacity-building or technical-assistance activities.
Experience contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, or presentations at national or international scientific conferences.
Prior experience with CDC.

Responsibilities

Perform virus diagnostic testing, including DFA (Direct Fluorescent Antibody test), RFFIT (Rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test), and other assays for either confirmation or screening.
Perform research activities to improve, enhance or develop new diagnostic assay developments with the incorporation of advanced technologies
Train other members of the laboratory or external laboratory researchers with diagnostic assays
Participate in branch international research activities to evaluate laboratory capabilities, Procure equipment and reagents for diagnostic assays, and train laboratory personnel in virus diagnostic assays
Participate in and lead animal studies in which animals are inoculated with viruses.
Lead and participate in studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories as they relate to immunology and protein-based diagnostics or as needed.
Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities, including documentation fitting for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
Maintaining cell lines, virus variants, and other reagents required for the performance of research activities.
Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research activities
Propagating and purifying viruses for use in assays for validation of diagnostic assays and investigative purposes.
Performing nucleic acid extractions on animal samples known or potentially infected with zoonotic agents, including rabies virus and orthopoxvirus species
Maintenance and consolidation of all records as related to historical viruses, and investigation of all reagents produced during these studies.
Analyzing data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts.
Effectively communicate research activities through presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings.
Presentation of works in national/international conferences and preparation of manuscripts and research articles for publication.