Molecular Biologist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Under limited supervision of the Zoonotic Virology Group supervisor and under technical guidance of the Arbovirus-Entomology Team Leader, helps oversee, facilitate and conduct all phases of advanced arbovirus diagnostic work while using Biosafety Level (BSL) 2 and 3 practices. Assists with managing and prioritizing laboratory workflows; checking for errors in specimen receipt, testing and reporting; and ensuring that reagents are prepared in adequate supply and quality tested for diagnostic work. Serves as a Senior Molecular Biologist in Arbovirus-Entomology, assuming duties of the Team Leader as required. Trains laboratory staff on testing workflows. Duties are performed with considerable latitude to develop and interpret protocol and with considerable use of scientific knowledge, initiative, independent judgement, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution.
• Considerable knowledge of medical virology principles and practices including laboratory safety, aseptic technique, and handling of pathogenic organisms.
• Knowledge of microscopy (light and fluorescent), immunological techniques, cell culture techniques, and molecular biology techniques.
• Ability to organize daily workload and set priorities to routine work.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and evaluate problem situations and determine appropriate actions.
• Ability to follow laboratory procedures accurately, concentrate on minute details over an extended period of time, maintain work efficiency under heavy stress.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to use various items of laboratory equipment, including a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis and results reporting.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff, work independently, work in harmony with other team members, and follow standard operating procedures and protocols.
• Ability to train employees.
• Skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy and safety.

Nice To Haves

• Laboratory experience detecting and identifying viruses
• Experience performing molecular testing, including real-time RT-PCR
• Experience performing cell culture
• Knowledge of quality assurance functions

Responsibilities

• Helps to oversee, facilitate and conduct complex laboratory procedures associated with the detection and identification of arboviruses from mosquitoes and equines including mosquito species identification, processing samples, nucleic acid extraction and amplification, PCR analysis, propagation of Vero and BHK cells, inoculation of cell cultures, detection of cytopathic effects, and identification of isolates by immunofluorescent antibody testing.
• Assists with mosquito insectary maintenance and insecticide resistance testing.
• Ensures that the workload is distributed and prioritized appropriately.
• Trains other staff on laboratory procedures.
• Serves as a resource for answering questions and trouble-shooting problems related to arbovirus detection, ensuring that questions and problems are addressed in a reasonable time frame.
• Assists with maintaining adequate stocks of reagents and supplies along with associated inventory databases.
• Verifies stocks of reagents and schedules production of new lots of these reagents.
• Oversees and assists with quality control testing of arbovirus reagents ensuring that new reagents perform appropriately.
• Summarizes and documents results from all quality control testing.
• Notifies appropriate parties of significant results.
• Reviews quality/assurance documentation to ensure that established performance parameters are maintained throughout testing procedures.
• Verifies reagent and supply inventory to prevent depletion of supplies.
• Facilitates the preparation of arbovirus reagents and infectious material for shipment to the appropriate laboratories.
• Enters, reviews and validates mosquito and arbovirus results in the laboratory information system.
• Notifies appropriate parties of significant results via phone and e-mail as needed.
• Analyzes specimen and test data to identify unusual patterns of either specimen submission or test results.
• Generates and reviews summary reports to ensure data quality.
• Coordinates and assists with the evaluation, development, and implementation of new procedures for vector species identification, pathogen testing, and insecticide resistance testing.
• Discusses status of projects and analyzes alternatives with Team Leader.
• Documents all development work thoroughly.
• Trains other employees on new techniques.
• Reviews the literature on a regular basis and provides summaries to other employees of new techniques or research related to vectors and vector-borne diseases.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities on a regular basis including training workshops, scientific conferences, or other appropriate opportunities to update and learn new techniques to be able to perform state-of-the-art diagnostic work.
• Performs other tasks or cross-training within the group as assigned by the Team Lead and/or Group Manager.
• Assists other staff in their duties and provides additional support to maintain a high quality of work.
• Notifies supervisory personnel of equipment malfunctions or test failures immediately, providing an assessment of the failure and making recommendations to prevent additional failures in the future.
• Provides training to guest laboratorians.
• Assists Team Leader when necessary, by performing administrative tasks including participating in interview and selection process and attending meetings, providing input from Arbovirus-Entomology.
• Consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.
• Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations (COOP) activation.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees