Microbiologist II (Diagnostic Microbiology Services)

Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid.

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 specified portions of scientific work involving research studies on biology, including studies of pathogenesis, host-pathogen interaction, vaccine efficacy, novel therapeutic (in vitro and in vivo) efficacy studies, as well as the development and/or improvement of diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of infections.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform basic in-vitro work, including viral inactivation, nucleic acid extractions, real-time PCR, and tissue culture techniques, along with more specialized serological and immunological assays for tissue culture and animal study samples infected with poxviruses.
• Participate in and/or lead in-vitro studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories.
• Participate in poxvirus animal studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories.
• Perform research activities to improve, enhance, or develop new diagnostic assay developments with incorporation of advanced technologies.
• Write complex study plans, test inactivation procedures, and validate different components (master mix, primers/probes manufactured from different companies and extraction platforms) for poxvirus PCR diagnostic assays.
• Train other members of the laboratory or external laboratory researchers in diagnostic and research Assays.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records of activities including documentation fitting for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
• Maintain cell lines, virus variants, and other reagents required for performance of poxvirus research activities.
• Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research Activities.
• Propagate and purify poxviruses for use in assays for validation of diagnostic assays and investigative purposes.
• Analyze data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts.
• Effectively communicate research activities by presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings.
• Presentation of works at national / international conferences and preparation of manuscripts and research articles for publication.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of virology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, and laboratory research methods applicable to infectious disease and poxvirus studies.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience with nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR, tissue culture, viral inactivation, and serological or immunological assays.
• Experience conducting in-vitro research in BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 laboratory environments while following established biosafety, biosecurity, and quality procedures.
• Ability to propagate, maintain, and purify viruses and manage cell lines, viral variants, reference materials, and other biological reagents.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or validating molecular diagnostic assays, including evaluation of extraction methods, master mixes, primers/probes, and other assay components.
• Ability to develop and execute study plans, experimental protocols, validation activities, and inactivation testing under established scientific guidance.
• Strong laboratory documentation and data-management skills, including maintenance of laboratory notebooks, protocols, reagent records, study documentation, and publication-quality results.
• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data in support of laboratory investigations, diagnostic assay evaluation, research studies, and outbreak-response activities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for preparing technical documentation, presenting research findings, and contributing to manuscripts and scientific reports.
• Ability to train and provide technical guidance to laboratory personnel while supporting laboratory operations, reagent inventory, equipment, and research-space requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, immunology, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• 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, immunology, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant laboratory experience in virology, molecular diagnostics, infectious disease research, or public health laboratory science.
• Direct experience working with poxviruses, orthopoxviruses, or other emerging or high-consequence viral pathogens.
• Hands-on experience performing research or diagnostic activities in BSL-3 laboratories, including adherence to enhanced-containment procedures.
• Experience supporting or participating in animal studies involving infectious agents, including processing and testing of animal-study specimens.
• Demonstrated experience validating real-time PCR diagnostic assays, viral inactivation procedures, extraction platforms, or other molecular diagnostic methods.
• Experience with specialized serological or immunological assays used to evaluate immune responses or infection in tissue culture or animal-study samples.
• Experience leading portions of laboratory studies, troubleshooting experimental procedures, and coordinating research activities with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience training laboratory personnel or external researchers in molecular diagnostic, virology, or research assays.
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, scientific presentations, 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.