Molecular Biologist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

3d • $4,815 - $5,537 • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Zoonotic Virology Group Manager and under technical guidance of the Arbovirus-Entomology Team Leader identifies arthropods, including mosquitoes for arbovirus isolation and molecular testing. Trains others on entomological procedures as needed; participates in customer service problem solving, answers routine customer inquiries according to standard operating procedures and some non-routine customer inquiries. Assist Arbovirus-Entomology Team Leader in maintaining proper workflow and stock levels of materials and supplies. Duties are performed with moderate latitude to develop and interpret protocol, and with considerable use of scientific knowledge and independent judgment.

Requirements

• General knowledge of laboratory, clinical chemistry, quality control, and human molecular genetic principles, techniques, and terminology.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques.
• Skill to manipulate standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to use various items of laboratory equipment associated with work area.
• Ability to use a computer, including data base searches.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff.
• Ability to work in harmony with other team members.
• Ability to work as part of a team adhering to structured deadlines for completion of critical laboratory procedures.
• Ability to lead co-workers by setting a positive work-ethic example.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.
• Ability to keep accurate, detailed records.
• Ability to use aseptic techniques when working with infectious material.
• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use mature judgment in test interpretation.
• Ability to prioritize and organize detailed tasks to maintain required section timeframes.
• Ability to recognize and solve work area problems.
• Ability to maintain work area instruments and automated testing equipment.
• Ability to teach work area procedures to co-workers and guests.
• Ability to prepare diagnostic (analytical) reagents and/or controls accurately.

Nice To Haves

• Laboratory experience detecting and identifying viruses preferred but not required.
• Experience performing molecular testing, including real-time RT-PCR in a laboratory setting, preferred but not required.
• Entomology experience, preferred but not required.
• Experience performing cell culture, preferred but not required.
• Experience with quality assurance functions, preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Helps coordinate the identification of mosquitoes submitted for arbovirus isolation. Ensures that adequate supplies are available to support program participants. Ensures that program participants receive correctly prepared collection and shipping materials. Ensures that specimens are handled to optimize surveillance efforts. Identifies and counts mosquitoes. Creates pools according to established parameters. Enters and validates results in laboratory information system. Maintains spreadsheets to provide a summary of mosquito submissions. Assists with mosquito insectary maintenance and insecticide resistance testing.
• Performs complex molecular testing for the identification of arboviruses from mosquitoes and equines. Performs manual and automated RNA extractions, completes real time PCR including addition of RNA and preparation of PCR plates. Analyzes Ct values, determines positive and negative results, and troubleshoots any abnormal findings. Enters test results into the laboratory information system.
• Coordinates and performs complex laboratory procedures for isolation and identification of arboviruses from mosquitoes and equines. Coordinates and processes all mosquito and equine specimens received for isolation procedures ensuring that worksheets are available to expedite workflow. Coordinates and assists with the preparation and inoculation of cell cultures for arbovirus testing including maintenance of cell lines, preparation of cell culture plates for isolation, inoculation of cell cultures, and interpretation of cytopathic effect observed in cell cultures. Reviews and interprets cell culture activity and determines and coordinates any additional work needed on the specimens and ensures that the specimens are processed appropriately. Coordinates and performs immunofluorescent antibody staining on appropriate specimens to identify virus isolates, including preparation of specimens, staining of slides with immunofluorescence reagents, and interpretation of immunofluorescence. Maintains material from all significant specimens. Provides input for each post-season evaluation.
• Enters and validates mosquito and arbovirus results in laboratory information system ensuring that all worksheets have been entered. Notifies appropriate parties of significant results via phone and e-mail.
• Prepares media and adequate supplies of high-quality reagents needed for the routine arbovirus diagnostic work including arbovirus antigens and antisera, stock virus, and immunofluorescent reagents. Verifies stocks of reagents and schedules preparation of new reagents in close consultation with the Senior Microbiologist. Coordinates and performs quality control testing for media and reagents including antigens, antisera, stock virus, and immunofluorescent reagents. Thoroughly documents all quality control test results.
• Prepares cell cultures for arbovirus isolation. Propagates Vero and BHK cell cultures preparing plates needed for inoculation. Documents cell counts and calculations used for monolayer preparation. Refers questions regarding cell culture acceptability to Senior Microbiologist.
• Assists with development and implementation of new procedures used in Arbovirus-Entomology, provides input to optimize efforts, and documents all work thoroughly. Reviews the literature on a regular basis and provides summaries to other employees of new techniques or research related to Arbovirus-Entomology. Participates in continuing education opportunities on a regular basis including talks, satellite conferences, scientific conferences, or other appropriate opportunities to update and learn new techniques to be able to perform state of the art diagnostic work.
• Based on work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. 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. Performs monthly preventive maintenance duties on equipment. Performs other tasks as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• 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
• Education Level: Associate degree