OverviewThe position conducts basic and applied research focused on current and emerging threats in support of biodefense and infectious disease programs. Responsibilities include nucleic acid extraction and analysis, genomics and sequencing workflows, molecular assay development, high-throughput screening and sequencing activities, animal specimen processing, laboratory operations, data analysis, equipment maintenance, and laboratory management. The incumbent provides supervisory support to junior personnel, trains new employees, supports laboratory compliance and safety programs, and serves as a technical resource for genomics, molecular biology, and infectious disease research activities.
Responsibilities- Work on automation equipment that can handle and process high numbers of samples such as Hamilton STAR and King Fisher liquid handlers. Perform purification of nucleic acids from inactivated viral cultures, animal tissues and human subject blood. Assist with design and performing nucleic acid-based assays for tissue culture and/or animal tissue samples.
- Perform research in next generation sequencing (NGS) including Illumina (iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq, NextSeq 2000 and NovaSeq 6000), and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (MinION and GridION). Shall also perform nucleic acid extraction, bioanalysis, and quantitation, conventional PCR and qPCR, manual and automated library preparation including RNAseq and DNAseq, and DNA size selection and fractionation including SAGE ELF and Blue Pippin. Additionally, shall perform molecular biology work including cloning, primer design, Gibson Assembly, restriction enzyme digestion, ligation, site directed mutagenesis, in vitro transcription, and reverse transcription.
- Operate and analyze data collected on Western Blot equipment such as Protein Simple WES, DNA fragmentation using Covaris systems, Real-Time PCR Detection System such as BioRad CFX, and quantification and QC of RNA and DNA using NanoDrop 8000, Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer, and Agilent 2200 and 4200 TapeStation systems. Shall maintain mammalian cell cultures including primary and secondary cell lines and cell line cultures in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 as required.
- Evaluate the effects of pathogen infection on the host (animal models or in vitro cultures) analyzing gene expression using RNAseq protocols (bulk, targeted, single cell or spatial) to identify deregulated signaling pathways that can lead to novel treatment strategies for infectious diseases. Shall also evaluate the pathogen by population genomics and whole genome sequencing.
- Support animal studies when required by assisting the study personnel to collect and process animal specimens. Analysis may include immunological procedures including Enzyme Linked immunoassay (ELISA), Western blot, Flow Cytometry and RNA/DNA sequencing assays.
- Train new employees, ensure SOPs are followed, record deviations, and observe safety procedures.
- Assist in the preparation of technical reports and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. Present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
- Write and review standard operating procedures (SOPs), capture forms, and all supporting documentation in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Well-Documented (WD) study regulations as required.
- Be responsible for assessing and maintaining laboratory supplies. Shall inventory supplies and ensure supply orders are coordinated with Division resources. Shall ensure that all assigned laboratory space is orderly and compliant with all regulatory guidance.
- Communicate to the PI or assigned TPOC experimental data, laboratory, or other work-related issues. Shall communicate with internal maintenance or external vendors for technical support and troubleshooting.
- Maintain an orderly laboratory environment in compliance with regulations. Shall assist in maintaining laboratory equipment, specimen and reagent inventories, as well as keep an organized, safe and professional work environment
- Participate in regular laboratory decontamination and cleaning to include periodically decontaminating the main laboratory areas, benches and biosafety cabinets to reduce possible sources of contamination. Shall appropriately dispose of waste and packaging material.
- Serve as a lab manager, responsible for weekly and monthly cleaning and maintenance of the area assigned as required. This includes testing of emergency showers, eye washes and flushing of laboratory drains. Participate in regular instrumentation washes, cleaning and maintenance.
- Maintain laboratory records, document sample processing, protocol design and usage, and data management that meet current CGS and Institutional requirements and ensure continuity and collective sharing of resources.
- Ensure that all assigned laboratory space is orderly and compliant with all regulatory guidance. Participate in regular laboratory decontamination and cleaning. Main laboratory areas, benches and hoods shall be decontaminated periodically to reduce possible sources of contamination. This task also includes proper disposal of waste and packaging material. Testing of emergency showers, eye washes and drainage systems shall be completed IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs. The contractor shall participate in regular instrumentation washes, cleaning and maintenance. Contact commercial company and/or USAMRIID medical Maintenance, Clinical Engineering (CEB) when an instrument is malfunctioning or needs periodical PM, and escort engineers during the scheduled visit at USAMRIID.
- May be required to cross-train and provide laboratory technical support to other areas within the Molecular Biology Division as needed.
- May be required to present work, attend meetings and training, and in collaboration with the Government, engage with partners to support the biosurveillance and training missions which may require CONUS or OCONUS travel approximately 1-2 times per year.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Master of Science degree and/or a minimum of six (6) years of relevant expertise in Genomics.
- BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
- Experience performing laboratory procedures, scientific testing, research activities, and technical support functions consistent with a Laboratory Technician 5 level position.
- Experience supporting genomics, molecular biology, biodefense, infectious disease, or related biomedical research programs.
- Experience independently performing complex molecular biology and genomics procedures.
- Experience performing nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR, sequencing library preparation, next generation sequencing, and molecular assay development activities.
- Experience supporting laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, laboratory inventories, biosafety programs, and quality requirements.
- Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting scientific data.
- Experience training, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to laboratory personnel.
- Experience supporting laboratory management and compliance activities.
- Ability to work within BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
- Successfully pass required background and drug screening requirements.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with Illumina sequencing platforms including iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq, NextSeq 2000, and NovaSeq 6000.
- Experience working with Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms including MinION and GridION.
- Experience performing RNAseq, DNAseq, whole genome sequencing, population genomics, and gene expression analyses.
- Experience with Hamilton STAR, KingFisher, or other automated sample processing systems.
- Experience performing Flow Cytometry, ELISA, Western Blot, and immunological assays.
- Experience maintaining mammalian cell cultures within biocontainment laboratory environments.
- Experience supporting animal studies and biological specimen processing.
- Experience developing, revising, and reviewing SOPs and laboratory documentation.
- Experience supporting GLP and Well-Documented study environments.
- Experience supporting laboratory management, laboratory safety programs, and compliance activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of molecular biology, genomics, microbiology, infectious disease research, and laboratory research methodologies.
- Knowledge of nucleic acid purification, RNA and DNA quality control procedures, sequencing workflows, and molecular assay development.
- Knowledge of PCR, qPCR, RNAseq, DNAseq, cloning, primer design, Gibson Assembly, ligation, mutagenesis, reverse transcription, and related molecular biology techniques.
- Knowledge of next generation sequencing technologies, bioanalysis, population genomics, whole genome sequencing, and gene expression analysis methodologies.
- Knowledge of laboratory biosafety requirements, contamination control practices, laboratory operations, and quality standards.
- Knowledge of GLP, Well-Documented study requirements, SOP development, laboratory documentation, and data management practices.
- Knowledge of automated sample processing systems, sequencing instrumentation, analytical equipment, and laboratory maintenance procedures.
- Ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze complex molecular biology and genomics experiments.
- Ability to train, mentor, and provide technical leadership to laboratory personnel.
- Ability to communicate scientific findings through technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, and verbal briefings.
- Ability to maintain laboratory records, inventories, specimen tracking systems, and research data repositories.
- Ability to coordinate laboratory activities, support compliance programs, and maintain operational readiness.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific teams.
