Research Scientist - Tick Laboratory

Research Scientist - Tick Laboratory: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.

- 4:30 a.m.

Worksite Location
: 178 Jones Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Responsibilities of Research Scientist in Tick Lab

• Test Monmouth County surveillance ticks (estimated ~600 I. scapularis nymphs and ~600
  
  A. americanum nymphs) for pathogens annually:
• Currently, I. scapularis are tested for
  
  B. burgdorferi/B. miyamotoi (duplex),
  
  A. phagocytophilum/B. microti (duplex), then pooled (8 extractions per pool) and pool plates are tested for Powassan virus/deer tick virus
• A. americanum are tested for Ehrlichia spp. triplex (E. chaffeensis,
  
  E. ewingii, Panola Mountain ehrlichia) and R. rickettsii/R. parkeri (duplex), then pooled (8 extractions per pool) and pool plates tested for Bourbon & Heartland viruses
• Gulf coast tick adults tested for Rickettsia spp.
• Create seasonal summary & annual report with each year’s surveillance results.
• Conduct research projects to address new and emerging tickborne disease trends.
• Periodically review educational brochures and materials to make sure they stay up to date with current scientific knowledge; incorporate program surveillance data into materials where possible.
• Give presentations on tick program and surveillance data, either at scientific meetings or to public audiences when requested; publish program data to contribute to wider tickborne disease knowledge & maintain the tickborne disease program’s national reputation.
• Serve as tickborne disease subject knowledge expert when called upon (whether by County departments, the media, or other agencies e.g. NJMCA, NJ Vector borne disease working group).
• Stay up-to-date with current scientific literature on ticks and tickborne disease, and re-evaluate and re-optimize assays as needed to address new knowledge and emerging pathogens.
• Keep careful notes of all laboratory work and update protocols accordingly.
• Ensure requisitions are placed for laboratory supplies annually, updating as needed if there are new equipment and material needs depending on project plans. Keep track of spending on each PO via spreadsheet. Maintain relationship with vendor reps for placing orders and getting quotes. Assist with tick budget planning including anticipating future equipment and supply needs depending on surveillance objectives.
• Make sure laboratory is kept stocked with required supplies and reagents (keep track of what is used and place orders when stocks run low).