Microbiologist II (Genomic Microbiology Services)

Goldbelt, Inc.•Atlanta, GA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

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. As a Microbiologist II the candidate shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of Genomic sequencing, molecular diagnostics, and/or biological activities, and/or processes of viruses, humans, and animals, and their component parts.

Requirements

Working knowledge of virology, molecular microbiology, molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, and infectious disease laboratory methods.
Hands-on experience performing nucleic acid extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR, and other molecular diagnostic assays for viral detection or confirmation.
Experience with genomic sequencing methods, including Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore or comparable platforms.
Working knowledge of viral sequence analysis and phylogenetic methods used for typing, surveillance, epidemiologic investigation, and outbreak response.
Experience supporting diagnostic assay development, optimization, validation, or implementation of new molecular or sequencing 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 virus propagation, purification, maintenance of viral reagents, and processing of animal or other specimens potentially containing zoonotic viral agents.
Strong laboratory documentation and records-management skills, including maintenance of protocols, reagent inventories, historical virus records, experimental data, and publication-quality documentation.
Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and sequencing data and communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, and scientific discussions.
Ability to train laboratory personnel, collaborate with domestic and international partners, and support laboratory capability assessments, reagent/equipment coordination, and diagnostic assay implementation.
Associate or Bachelors microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field.
3-5 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, molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field.
Approximately 5-7 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular diagnostics, virology, genomic sequencing, infectious disease research, or public health laboratory science.
Direct experience performing real-time RT-PCR assays for rabies, lyssaviruses, orthopoxviruses, or other zoonotic or emerging viral pathogens.
Hands-on experience with Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing platforms, particularly Oxford Nanopore technologies.
Experience performing phylogenetic or genomic analysis using common sequence-analysis or bioinformatics tools.
Experience conducting nucleic acid-based diagnostic or research activities in BSL-3 laboratories.
Experience propagating, purifying, characterizing, or maintaining viral isolates for diagnostic validation or research purposes.
Experience working with animal specimens or samples potentially infected with zoonotic agents.
Experience training laboratory personnel or external partners in molecular diagnostic or sequencing methods, including international laboratory capacity-building activities.
Experience contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, scientific presentations, peer-reviewed publications, or presentations at national or international conferences.
Prior experience with CDC.

Responsibilities

Perform virus diagnostic testing, including the Pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay and other assays for either confirmation or screening.
Perform genomic sequencing using the traditional Sanger sequencing methods and the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including Nanopore sequencing
Perform phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences to improve typing, surveillance, and controls.
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 diagnostic assays
Lead and participate in studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories as they relate to nucleic acid-based diagnostics or as needed.
Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities, including documentation suitable for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
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.