OverviewSenior Bacteriology Technician to provide advanced laboratory and scientific support for bacteriology research programs focused on bacterial virulence, vaccine development, monoclonal antibody identification, animal modeling, immunological testing, and molecular microbiology. The position performs complex laboratory procedures, supports animal research activities, conducts molecular and microbiological testing, analyzes and maintains scientific data, prepares technical reports and documentation, supports laboratory operations and inventory management, assists with project planning, and provides training and mentorship to laboratory personnel. This role requires independent execution of laboratory procedures, participation in research program development, and support of BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory operations while ensuring compliance with applicable safety, quality, and operational requirements.
Responsibilities- Assist PI in Molecular Microbiological Experiments aimed at defining elements and factors involved in bacterial virulence. Assist in approximately 2 animal protocols conducted by other investigators.
- Complete approximately 25 Opsonic Adherence assays to test the efficacy of animal sera (Rabbit and NHP) in the presence of Baby Rabbit Complement to adhere Ames bacilli and spores to RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
- Complete over 1000 ELISAs (including retesting of samples where needed):
- Yersinia pestisnovel vaccine strategies
- Burkholderianovel vaccine strategies
- Yersinia pestisnovel mAb identification
- Burkholderianovel mAb identification
- Francisella tularensisnovel vaccine strategies/animal modeling
- Coxiella burnetiinovel vaccine strategies/animal modeling
- Prepare approximately 10 different Reagents / Media for the lab (including R Medium, DMEM/FBS, LB Broth, Sodium Bicarbonate, APS LB Agar, BHI, etc.).
- Plate approximately 100 LB plates for use for Ames sporulation isolation and purification.
- Isolate and purify approximately 10 plasmid DNA specimens.
- FITC label and count approximately 10 Ames samples to check ratio of Bacilli: Spores over multiple time points.
- Order lab supplies for BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories including common supplies, custom orders, and equipment - approximately 400 items ordered along with 5 pieces of equipment.
- Present overview of data collected from Opsonic Adherence and ELISA at group meeting; present progress reports to supervising investigator. Use computer to prepare graphs and write reports for supervising investigator.
- Perform approximately 100 Immunological, antibody determinations.
- Perform approximately 100 ELISAs on mouse, nonhuman primate, and/or human serum.
- Perform approximately 50 Cytokine analyses. Measures cytokines in mouse, nonhuman primate, and/or human serum. Measures cytokines in cell cultures and cell extracts. Uses a Luminex instrument for analysis.
- Perform approximately 50 Flow Cytometry tasks, determining cellular distribution in mouse samples and intracellular cytokine expression. Uses a BD FACS Calibur and BD FACS Canto II to analyze cellular distribution.
- Perform approximately 25 Cell Biology/Biochemical/microbiological tasks. Performs laboratory tests, such as protein gel electrophoresis, western blot analysis, growth of macrophage cell lines, live-dead cell determinations, prepares microbiological media for bacterial cultures.
- Organize and maintain data generated from immunological and microbiological studies.
- Be responsible for managing approximately 80 hand receipt items and maintaining laboratory equipment.
- Complete approximately 10 anthrax toxin neutralization (TNA) assays per year.
- Perform approximately 15 animal challenges per year and approximately 10 bacterial challenge preparations to include planning and performing complex pathogenesis studies.
- Perform approximately 1,200 animal injections per year and approximately 2,500 animal observations per year.
- Complete approximately 500 bacterial burdens in organ tissue per year.
- Perform approximately 100 Luminex Cytokine Analyses per year.
- Perform approximately 75 Macrophage phagocytosis assays per year.
- Process approximately 200 ELISAs per year.
- Perform approximately 125 Animal Necropsies per year.
- Process approximately 150 animal gavage and 250 animal blood collections per year.
- Complete approximately 40 DNA chromosomal preparations, 500 PCR reactions; and 35 Agar gel analysis per year.
- Prepare approximately 20 cloning plasmids, approximately 50 sequencing reactions, and approximately 90 plasmid preparations.
- Complete approximately 100 media preparations per year.
- Perform approximately 250 BSL-3 live/dead assays per year.
- Process approximately 40 protein and western gels per year.
- Place approximately 50 GFEBs orders per year for supplies and equipment.
- Review relevant literature monthly.
- Serve as a training representative for BSL-2 laboratory skills.
- Assist PI with Project Planning, quarterly.
- Participate in training new personnel on laboratory tasks monthly.
- Perform BSAT Inventory Management weekly.
- Conduct Equipment Inventory Management twice a year in BSL-2 and BSL-3.
- Perform monthly Laboratory Management to include safety functions and chemical inventory.
- Assist the BSL-3 suite supervisor with suite supervisory duties.
- Interface with inspectors and perform monthly inspections.
- Be responsible for planning and performing animal experiments under BSL-3 conditions.
- Review relevant literature monthly. May assist in the preparation standard operating procedures and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. The Contractor may be expected to present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require CONUS or OCONUS travel. Contractor shall present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
- Provide 1 Bacteriology Technical Support monthly report to TPOC by the last working day of the month. Report would include materials and methods, data and data analysis and should be updated monthly.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of related laboratory experience OR Master's degree and 3+ years of related laboratory experience.
- Experience performing laboratory procedures, testing, research activities, and scientific support functions in bacteriology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related scientific disciplines.
- Experience independently performing complex laboratory procedures and scientific protocols.
- Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting laboratory and research data.
- Experience supporting laboratory operations, equipment management, and biosafety requirements.
- Experience training and mentoring laboratory personnel.
- Ability to successfully pass required background and drug screening requirements.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting bacteriology research programs.
- Experience working in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments.
- Experience performing ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Luminex Cytokine Analysis, PCR, Agar Gel Analysis, and molecular microbiology techniques.
- Experience supporting animal studies, animal challenge models, necropsies, blood collections, and animal observations.
- Experience with plasmid preparation, DNA isolation, cloning, sequencing reactions, and protein analysis techniques.
- Experience preparing SOPs, technical reports, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.
- Experience supporting laboratory inspections, inventory management, and laboratory safety programs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of bacteriology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and laboratory research methodologies.
- Knowledge of BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory practices and biosafety requirements.
- Knowledge of ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Luminex, PCR, plasmid preparation, DNA analysis, bacterial culture, and protein analysis techniques.
- Knowledge of laboratory inventory control, equipment management, and laboratory safety procedures.
- Ability to independently plan and execute laboratory experiments and research activities.
- Ability to organize, analyze, and maintain scientific data and research records.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, graphs, SOPs, and scientific documentation.
- Ability to train and mentor laboratory personnel.
- Ability to communicate scientific findings through written reports, presentations, and technical briefings.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary laboratory environment.
