OverviewChenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a
Chenega Professional Services' company, is looking for a
Senior Bacteriology Technician to provide advanced laboratory and technical support for bacteriology research programs focused on bacterial virulence, vaccine development, monoclonal antibody discovery, immunology, molecular microbiology, and animal model research. The position independently performs complex laboratory procedures, supports design and execution of pathogenesis studies, conducts immunological, microbiological, and molecular biology testing, analyzes and reports scientific data, supports laboratory operations and compliance activities, assists with project planning, and provides training and mentorship to laboratory personnel. The incumbent supports BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory operations, animal challenge studies, and biodefense research programs while serving as a senior technical resource consistent with a Laboratory Technician 5 level position.
Responsibilities- Assist the Lead/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 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.
- 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 the 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.
- Shall assist the BSL-3 suite supervisor with suite supervisory duties.
- Shall interface with inspectors and perform monthly inspections.
- Shall be responsible for planning and performing animal experiments under BSL-3 conditions.
- Shall review relevant literature monthly. May assist in the preparation standard operating procedures and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. May be expected to present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require CONUS or OCONUS travel as needed. 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 in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline and seven (7) or more years of related laboratory experience; OR Master's degree in a related scientific discipline and three (3) or more years of related laboratory experience.
- CS-PRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
- BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
- Experience performing laboratory procedures, testing, research activities, and scientific support functions in bacteriology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related scientific disciplines.
- Experience independently performing complex laboratory procedures and scientific protocols.
- Experience supporting microbiological, molecular biology, immunological, and laboratory animal research activities.
- Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting scientific and laboratory data.
- Experience supporting laboratory operations, laboratory equipment maintenance, biosafety requirements, and quality standards.
- Experience supporting research planning, technical reporting, and project execution activities.
- Experience training and mentoring laboratory personnel.
- Experience supporting BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory operations.
- Ability to independently conduct complex laboratory and animal research activities.
- Successfully pass required background and drug screening requirements.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting biodefense, infectious disease, bacteriology, immunology, vaccine, or therapeutic research programs.
- Experience performing ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Luminex, PCR, opsonic adherence assays, and toxin neutralization assays.
- Experience supporting laboratory animal studies, animal challenge models, necropsy procedures, and tissue burden studies.
- Experience conducting bacterial virulence, vaccine development, monoclonal antibody, and pathogenesis research.
- Experience performing cloning, sequencing, plasmid preparation, DNA isolation, and molecular biology procedures.
- Experience supporting BSL-3 laboratory operations and biocontainment environments.
- Experience supporting BSAT inventory management and laboratory compliance programs.
- Experience preparing SOPs, manuscripts, scientific reports, and technical presentations.
- Experience serving in laboratory operational support, training, or assistant supervisory roles.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of bacteriology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, and laboratory research methodologies.
- Knowledge of ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Luminex analysis, opsonic adherence assays, toxin neutralization assays, PCR, cloning, sequencing, and plasmid preparation techniques.
- Knowledge of laboratory animal research procedures, animal challenge studies, and associated laboratory support activities.
- Knowledge of bacterial virulence research, vaccine evaluation methodologies, and immunological testing procedures.
- Knowledge of laboratory biosafety practices, BSL-2 and BSL-3 operations, laboratory safety requirements, and quality standards.
- Knowledge of laboratory documentation, scientific reporting, technical communication, and data management practices.
- Ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze complex laboratory experiments and research activities.
- Ability to organize, interpret, maintain, and communicate scientific and technical data.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, SOPs, manuscripts, graphs, and scientific presentations.
- Ability to mentor and train laboratory personnel and support laboratory operations.
- Ability to support project planning, research execution, and compliance activities.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.
