Microbiologist II (Genomic Microbiology Services)

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.

Summary:

As a Microbiologist II the candidate shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of Genomic sequencing, molecular diagnostics, and/or biological activities, and/or processes of viruses, humans, and animals, and their component parts.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform virus diagnostic testing, including the Pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay and other assays for either confirmation or screening.
• Perform genomic sequencing using the traditional Sanger sequencing methods and the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including Nanopore sequencing
• Perform phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences to improve typing, surveillance, and controls.
• Perform research activities to improve, enhance, or develop new diagnostic assay developments with the incorporation of advanced technologies
• Train other members of the laboratory or external laboratory researchers with diagnostic assays.
• Participate in branch international research activities to evaluate laboratory capabilities, procure equipment and reagents for diagnostic assays, and train laboratory personnel in diagnostic assays
• Lead and participate in studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories as they relate to nucleic acid-based diagnostics or as needed.
• Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities, including documentation suitable for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
• Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research activities
• Propagating and purifying viruses 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 rabies virus and orthopoxvirus species
• Maintenance and consolidation of all records as related to historical viruses, and investigation of all reagents produced during these studies.
• Analyzing data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts
• Effectively communicate research activities through presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings
• Presentation of works in national/international conferences and preparation of manuscripts and research articles for publication.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of virology, molecular microbiology, molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, and infectious disease laboratory methods.
• Hands-on experience performing nucleic acid extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR, and other molecular diagnostic assays for viral detection or confirmation.
• Experience with genomic sequencing methods, including Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore or comparable platforms.
• Working knowledge of viral sequence analysis and phylogenetic methods used for typing, surveillance, epidemiologic investigation, and outbreak response.
• Experience supporting diagnostic assay development, optimization, validation, or implementation of new molecular or sequencing technologies.
• Ability to conduct laboratory studies in BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 environments while following established biosafety, biosecurity, quality, and contamination-control procedures.
• Experience with virus propagation, purification, maintenance of viral reagents, and processing of animal or other specimens potentially containing zoonotic viral agents.
• Strong laboratory documentation and records-management skills, including maintenance of protocols, reagent inventories, historical virus records, experimental data, and publication-quality documentation.
• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and sequencing data and communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, and scientific discussions.
• Ability to train laboratory personnel, collaborate with domestic and international partners, and support laboratory capability assessments, reagent/equipment coordination, and diagnostic assay implementation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelors microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Public Trust Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field.
• Approximately 5-7 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular diagnostics, virology, genomic sequencing, infectious disease research, or public health laboratory science.
• Direct experience performing real-time RT-PCR assays for rabies, lyssaviruses, orthopoxviruses, or other zoonotic or emerging viral pathogens.
• Hands-on experience with Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing platforms, particularly Oxford Nanopore technologies.
• Experience performing phylogenetic or genomic analysis using common sequence-analysis or bioinformatics tools.
• Experience conducting nucleic acid-based diagnostic or research activities in BSL-3 laboratories.
• Experience propagating, purifying, characterizing, or maintaining viral isolates for diagnostic validation or research purposes.
• Experience working with animal specimens or samples potentially infected with zoonotic agents.
• Experience training laboratory personnel or external partners in molecular diagnostic or sequencing methods, including international laboratory capacity-building activities.
• Experience contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, scientific presentations, peer-reviewed publications, or presentations at national or international conferences.
• Prior experience with CDC.

Pay and Benefits
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.