Researcher III

Cherokee Federal•Gainesville, FL

1d•$56,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position requires an active USAccess clearance. The Researcher III will conduct advanced laboratory research, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and cell culture management, with opportunities to work independently. The role also involves maintaining lab equipment, preparing samples, drafting reports, and potentially participating in fieldwork. The position requires a master's degree in a scientific field, relevant laboratory experience, and familiarity with genomic data and CRISPR technologies.

Requirements

Completion of a master’s in a relevant scientific field, and at least 10 hours in scientific or technical courses directly related to the position and previous laboratory experience is required.
Individual shall have the ability to work with little or no supervision and within established guidelines and operational procedures.
Experience working with genomic data and/or transcriptomics is required.
Knowledge of standard genetic laboratory techniques and software is required.
Current certification in First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and CPR are required before or upon entry.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.
This is a full-time and on-site position; while hours may vary from week to week (especially during field trips), the average number of hours per week will be 40.
Travel may be required to support program tasks.
Routine safety and IT security online classes will be taken as required.
Any additional training needed for new tasks will be arranged.
Lifting heavy equipment.
Temperature extremes in the field and lab.
Environment may include handling hazardous or irritant chemicals.
Prolonged sitting, stooping, bending in the lab and field.
Prolonged sitting at a computer desk in the office.
Prolonged periods away from home on field trips.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of identifying and modeling life history characteristics for population control is highly desired.
Preference for knowledge of genetic animal transformations using CRISPR technologies and/or reptile reproductive biology.
Additionally, knowledge of monitoring and control of invasive species, along with quantitative PCR and environmental DNA is preferred.
Candidates with microbiology or cell biology research experience at the undergraduate or graduate level are a plus.
Prospective candidates will perform general and research activities in a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory (BSL-2) and are expected to be familiar with protocols associated with sterile techniques.
Candidate possesses at least one year of experience using primary and immortalized cell lines.
Experience in managing reptilian cell cultures is desired but not required.
Preference will be given to candidates with experience performing CRISPR-Cas experiments in cultured eukaryotic cells.

Responsibilities

Conducts research and technical duties in a laboratory environment with the ability to follow standard operating procedures and eventually work independently. Specific skills required include ability to extract, purify, and quantify DNA and RNA, ability to conduct polymerase chain reaction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, manage cell cultures, design and optimize primers/assays and troubleshoot molecular biology protocols.
Skill in operation and maintenance with specialized laboratory equipment is preferred including, but not limited to, mechanical pipettors, thermocyclers, spectrophotometers, DNA sequence analyzers, centrifuges.
This position may be asked to train or assist others in various laboratory work, with the discretion of the PI. The training/assistance would follow standard operating procedures set in the lab and would maintain that those trained also adhere to the guidelines.
This person will also be required to collect, prepare, evaluate, and verify samples and supporting records; maintain records and locate and compile data and other information from various sources; keep detailed records of experimental data in laboratory notebook and digital formats; tabulate, statistically analyze, and summarize data using computers and software packages; maintain inventory of chemicals, and prepare solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory.
Assist in preparation of proposals, presentations, and reports for partners. The researcher will assist the PI by providing technical support in preparation of outreach materials (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, posters, hand-outs), and may be asked to present research at scientific meetings.
Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies and inventories of each, including alerting laboratory manager when supplies need to be ordered and doing research to determine the appropriate supplies for the task.
This position may potentially require field work. The individual may assist with acquiring biological samples and environmental data in the field. Field work may include multi-day field trips out of town, often in adverse temperature and conditions.
Prepare for and potentially participate in field excursions by gathering and checking readiness of field equipment and supplies, making datasheets, calibrating instruments, packing truck, signing out trucks, etc.
Will be responsible for day-to-day documentation of progress for assigned projects, at the discretion of the PI in the lab.
Perform literature reviews and synthesize information to be used in research projects.
Perform standard office work as necessary to organize and manage research efforts and proper data storage via digital documents and databases.
Assist with shipments received and maintaining records of incoming and outgoing samples, supplies, and equipment, as needed.
Other administrative tasks as needed (i.e. organization of documents through the internal review portal, communication with collaborators, facilitation of meetings, assistance with workshops, etc.).
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.