PhD in microbiology or related field with 10+ years of experience.
Proven track record in scientific roles including microbiology in a public health setting.
Demonstrated experience with sequencing assays and related platforms.
Strong scientific communication skills, including manuscript writing and presentations.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and adept at handling clinical data.
Responsibilities
Perform molecular assays to identify and characterize respiratory viruses.
Develop and assess diagnostic platforms for respiratory virus detection.
Lead serological surveillance and evaluation of vaccine responses.
Generate and characterize respiratory virus isolates and neutralizing antibodies.
Contribute to advanced molecular detection techniques and sequencing assays.
Benefits
Opportunities to contribute to important public health initiatives.
Engage in groundbreaking research and application of advanced techniques.
Collaborate with esteemed institutions like the CDC.
Chance to present findings at national and international conferences.
Full Job Description
Job Type
Full-time
Description
JOB TITLE: Microbiologist IV
POSITION NUMBER: 2509-Micro-IV
POSITION LOCATION: Atlanta, GA, USA
ANTICIPATED START DATE: 2 weeks after candidate identification
TRAVEL: As required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position
Provide laboratory diagnostic and molecular surveillance support. Examples activities are:
Perform molecular assays to detect, type, and characterize respiratory viruses and viral vaccine preventable diseases
Design, evaluate, and distribute diagnostic platforms for the detection of COVID and other respiratory viruses
Participate in burden of disease studies and etiology studies of respiratory diseases to investigate the potential association and possible causes of respiratory viruses
Work within guidelines of auditing bodies such as CMS or CAP
Contribute to organizational activities that promote laboratory safety, laboratory quality management systems (QMS), and effective specimen management
Provide laboratory immunological and virological support. Example activities are:
Perform serological surveillance for respiratory viruses and assessment of vaccine response in single plex or multiplex format
Contribute to the development of new serological assays for surveillance of and evaluation of vaccine response to respiratory viruses
Perform advanced cellular immunological assessment of the T cell and B cell response to respiratory virus infection and vaccination
Develop monoclonal antibodies against respiratory viruses for small scale production and assessment in serological assays
Generate and characterize respiratory virus isolates
Perform assays to characterize neutralizing antibodies against respiratory viruses
Draft SOPS, worksheets, job aids, validation plans, and validation reports
Maintain medical clearance required for working in laboratory that may include respiratory fit testing
Attend weekly team meetings, and provide information on current activities
Prepare documentation and laboratories for internal and external audits
Provide laboratory respiratory virus sequencing support. Example activities are:
Contribute to adaptation of molecular techniques to automated platforms in use in CORVD (e.g., PerkinElmer Zephyr and Tecan Fluent)
Participate in burden of disease studies and etiology studies of respiratory diseases to investigate the potential association and possible causes of respiratory viruses
Perform advanced molecular detection and sequencing assays and provide technical support in investigation of unknown etiology of severe cases and outbreaks using pathogen discovery approaches
Participate in laboratory research that will result in the development and application of advanced molecular techniques and high throughput sequencing analysis to detect and characterize both known and novel emerging viruses
Other activities may include:
Draft SOPS, worksheets, job aids, validation plans, and validation reports
Maintain medical clearance required for working in laboratory that may include respiratory fit testing
Attend weekly team meetings, and provide information on current activities
Prepare documentation and laboratories for internal and external audits, and maintain laboratory records
Write abstracts for presentations at national or international conferences
Present work at national or international conferences
Contribute to preparation and publication of peer reviewed manuscript
Requirements
PhD with 10+ years' experience
Work experience in the scientific field, including microbiologist, research microbiologist, biologist, health scientist or related field (preferably in a public health setting)
Knowledge and experience of sequencing assays and sequencing platforms
Ability to identify gaps in existing resources
Scientific communication: manuscript writing, figure drafting, and verbal presentation
Expertise in the use of Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook Mail)
Knowledge of and experience working with clinical data
Knowledge of and experience working with human specimens
Desired Requirements:
Ability to be flexible
Interpersonal communication: telephone, email, and business etiquette
Strong proofreading skill and attention to detail
Strong organizational skills
Experience working with CDC staff at multiple organizational levels
