Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant - Department of Global Health (Temporary)

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

5d•$52,692 - $57,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Global Health has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant (Temporary) to join their team. Reporting to the Director, Chlamydia Lab & Neisseria Lab, this role involves conducting culture-based surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using standardized laboratory methods. The position also includes performing molecular detection and characterization of STI pathogens through PCR, sequencing, and automated diagnostic platforms. Additionally, the candidate will support laboratory operations, quality assurance efforts, and collaborative activities to ensure accurate, efficient, and high-quality testing. The UW Neisseria Reference Laboratory, located at the Ninth and Jefferson Building on the Harborview Campus, collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Public Health Laboratory, WA DOH, and STD Clinics in US cities to monitor Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility trends in the United States. This role provides quality-assured data to inform CDC’s treatment recommendations for gonorrhea and contributes to ongoing research aimed at enhancing diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections, investigating commensal bacteria as potential reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance transferable to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and investigating the host-pathogen interactions underlying gonococcal infections. The successful candidate will be highly responsible, meticulous, and very organized, with basic microbiology skills and a willingness to learn and demonstrate competency in performing bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular techniques for detection of STI pathogens and resistance determinants. Evidence of outstanding scholarship in microbiology and other science courses as an undergraduate is highly desirable. This is a full-time temporary position for 9-12 months.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or other scientific field, e.g. Molecular Biology or Biochemistry, and less than one year of relevant experience.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Complete required training and maintain proficiency in antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular testing, including routine blind sample panels and external proficiency testing participation.
Apply strong microbiology expertise and general laboratory knowledge while maintaining a high level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
Work independently with accountability while effectively communicating and collaborating with supervisors and laboratory team members.

Nice To Haves

Excellent molecular biology laboratory skills.
Depth of expertise in Gram-stain, microscopy, qPCR and nucleic acid amplification testing, cell culture and microscopy.
Experience in antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Etest and/agar dilution.
Experience performing APTIMA nucleic acid amplification test.
Experience with PCR testing methods and sequencing technologies.
Good laboratory practice (GLP) skills.
Experience working in a clinical or research environment.
Bacteriology and molecular biology research experience.
Research experience with real-time PCR and traditional PCR techniques.
Professional, flexible, and hardworking with a strong attention to detail and ability to organize and maintain accurate records.
Evidence of outstanding scholarship in microbiology and other science courses as an undergraduate is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Conduct Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by agar dilution and Etest following established protocols.
Perform species confirmatory tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Participate in and support quality assessment and continuous laboratory improvement activities.
Participate in lab meetings and network with coworkers and collaborators.
General laboratory maintenance including cleaning of glassware, temperature logs/charts of laboratory equipment, preparing reagents and chemical solutions, freezer organization and inventory of isolates, shipment of specimens.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Molecular detection of STI pathogens using the fully automated Hologic Panther System.
Purification of high molecular weight genomic DNA for Next Generation Sequencing.
PCR and sequencing of PCR products for strain subtyping and characterization of antibiotic resistance determinants.
Participate in diagnostic test validation and optimization of new test methods.
Data processing and analysis using excel and bioinformatics software.
Contribute data for use in publications or conference presentations.