Junior Specialist - At Lab

Position Description

The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to facilitate teamwork and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs.

Junior Specialists do not have supervision responsibilities. Although the Specialist titles are expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member, the incumbent will not develop an independent research program or reputation. The incumbent will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it a Principal status.

This position requires creative contributions and collaborative development of an ongoing research program investigating the prevalence of foodborne, waterborne, airborne pathogens from different environmental matrix, such as feces, soil, sediment, surface water etc. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator and collaborate with personnel affiliated with research activities, involving sample receiving, preparation for culture-dependent and culture-independent metagenomics, and other such laboratory duties as may arise.

The candidate will help with bacteriological assays, such as enrichment, IMS, targeted bacteria isolation, and molecular characterization of bacterial isolates such as

E. coli O157, Non‑O157 STEC etc. obtained from multiple research projects in consultation with the laboratory manager. Responsibilities include proficiency with qPCR with Fast real‑time 7500 PCR system and Quant Studio 3 real‑time PCR, IMS (immunomagnetic separation) with Kingfisher DUO Prime. The candidate will follow standard operating procedures and maintain a clean and orderly working environment in the laboratory and will help or aid other lab members in the performance of their work.

Additionally, the position involves fieldwork and occasional overnight travel within the state to collect samples as required by project needs.

The candidate will assist with the preparation of manuscripts and publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals, books, and other outlets in collaboration with the PI and other members of the research team. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

The Junior Specialist will participate in training activities with the lab. The candidate may mentor students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, troubleshooting problems, interpreting results, and planning follow‑up experiments.