Microbiologist II (Sequencing and Serology Services)

Goldbelt, Inc.•Atlanta, GA

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 the Microbiologist II the candidates shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of Genomic sequencing of the samples, biological activities, and/or processes of viruses and their component parts.

Requirements

Working knowledge of molecular biology, virology, infectious disease diagnostics, and laboratory research methods.
Experience performing nucleic acid extraction, qPCR testing, and routine molecular diagnostic procedures.
Working knowledge of genomic sequencing methods, including Illumina and/or Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platforms.
Experience with cell culture, maintenance of cell lines, virus stocks, laboratory reagents, and research materials.
Basic to intermediate knowledge of bioinformatics and analysis of genomic sequencing data.
Knowledge of laboratory biosafety, biosecurity, quality assurance, contamination control, and safe handling of infectious materials.
Ability to follow established protocols, assist with assay development and validation, troubleshoot routine laboratory issues, and accurately document results.
Strong laboratory recordkeeping, data management, and organizational skills, including maintenance of specimen, reagent, and research records.
Ability to analyze laboratory data and contribute to technical reports, presentations, manuscripts, and research documentation.
Effective communication and teamwork skills, including the ability to support training, laboratory coordination, and domestic or international research activities.
Bachelors Degree in Biology, Microbiology or a related field.
2-5 years of relevant experience
Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Public Trust Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, virology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related scientific field.
Approximately 2–5 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular diagnostics, infectious disease research, virology, or public health laboratory science.
Hands-on experience performing qPCR assays and preparing samples or libraries for genomic sequencing.
Experience using Illumina, ONT, or comparable next-generation sequencing technologies.
Experience with cell culture, viral propagation, nucleic acid extraction, and maintenance of laboratory reagents or biological materials.
Familiarity with Mpox virus, orthopoxviruses, zoonotic pathogens, or other infectious disease agents.
Experience using basic or intermediate bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis, genome assembly, alignment, or variant identification.
Experience assisting with assay development, validation, method improvement, or implementation of new laboratory technologies.
Experience supporting infectious disease surveillance, outbreak response, or laboratory research activities.
Experience contributing to scientific presentations, technical reports, manuscripts, training activities, or laboratory capacity-building efforts.
Prior experience with CDC.

Responsibilities

Perform virus diagnostic and genomic sequencing, including qPCR assay, genomic sequencing using Illumina and ONT platforms.
Perform research activities to improve, enhance or develop new assay developments with the incorporation of advanced technologies
Maintaining cell lines, virus variants, and other reagents required for the performance of research activities, including APOBEC-related research.
Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities including documentation fitting for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
Participate in branch international research activities to evaluate laboratory capabilities, procure equipment and reagents for diagnostic assays, and train laboratory personnel in Monkeypox virus diagnostic assays.
Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research Activities.
Propagating and purifying Monkeypox viruses and orthopoxviruses 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 Monkeypox virus and orthopoxvirus species.
Maintenance and consolidation of all records as related to historical Monkeypox virus and orthopoxviruses, and investigation of all reagents produced during these studies.
Analyzing data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts with skills and knowledge of bioinformatics.
Effectively communicate research activities by presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings.
Presentation of works in national/international conferences and preparation of manuscripts and research articles for publication.