Associate Scientist

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Jefferson City, MO

Associate Scientist 1

• Handling, receipt, and processing of daily operational, Quality Assurance, verification and proficiency test samples potentially containing biological threat agents.
• Receiving samples may require extended walking to/from laboratory areas and up and/or down several flights of stairs.
• Samples may require being transferred from one area/cart/cooler to another, requiring staff to lift ~50-60 lbs.
• Processing samples requires more than one hour, but typically not to exceed four hours, of repetitive motion (e.g. twisting/cutting/pipetting/gripping) on a regular, if not daily, basis.
• Performing non‑research biological science work utilizing microbiological and molecular techniques, which currently includes DNA extraction and real‑time polymerase chain reaction (real‑time PCR) to identify and characterize pathogenic bacterial and viral agents.
• Laboratory workflow may occur in different laboratory areas (e.g., clean, high and low titer, under different conditions, such as BSL‑2/BSL‑3), utilizing a variety of biological safety cabinets (BSCs), and/or hoods (e.g., laminar or dead air). Laboratory work may require several PPE changes including, but not limited to, respiratory and full body protection (e.g., Tyvek suit) and gloves, for extended periods of time, not to exceed four hours.
• Preparing reagents and samples.
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
• Decontamination of work spaces, including biological safety cabinets, hoods/air boxes, equipment, and other items associated with processing and analysis activities.
• Necessitates decontamination of several rooms requiring extensive use of bleach and alcohol. For safety, proper PPE is required.
• Maintaining chain‑of‑custody (CoC).
• Interpretation of results – must be capable of independent analysis.
• Data entry utilizing computerized or computer‑linked systems.
• Performing routine equipment calibration, cleaning, assembly, and maintenance in multiple lab areas.
• Collecting, processing, and analyzing internal laboratory swipes/swabs for QA/QC and contamination monitoring located across multiple lab areas.
• Proper disposal of bio‑hazardous waste.
• May require lifting, stooping, reaching, carrying, and/or storing bio‑hazard waste of different sizes and/or weights up to 40 lbs.
• May require collecting multiple bags from BSL‑2/BSL‑3 areas and loading and unloading the autoclave machine when completed. For safety, proper PPE is required.
• Restocking and maintaining proper inventory (e.g., par levels, rotation of stock, expiration dates, etc.) of necessary supplies.
• May require lifting, stooping, reaching, carrying, and/or storing consumables, supplies, and/or equipment of various sizes, shapes, and/or weights up to 70 lbs.
• Supporting Bio Watch Program logistics in conducting and documenting annual inventory of DHS‑procured durable equipment and property.
• May require lifting, stooping, reaching, carrying, and/or transporting equipment and/or instruments to/from different laboratory areas and/or packaging instruments for service.
• QA/QC and acceptance testing of reagents in accordance with applicable SOPs and the Laboratory Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP).
• Adhering to QA/QC requirements in accordance with the Public Health Laboratory quality management systems and the Bio Watch Laboratory Operations (QAPP).
• Maintaining documentation of records demonstrating compliance with applicable training/retraining, competencies, document reviews.
• Analyzing routine external QA samples in accordance with the Bio Watch SOPs and QA Program guidance.
• Proper archiving, storage, and shipping of samples.
• May require lifting, stooping, carrying, and/or storing of sample archives of varying sizes and weights up to 40 lbs.
• Demonstrating ability to follow and adhere to written procedures and accepted practices in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, safety, security and dress code policies, procedures, and guidelines, including DHS Safeguarding Sensitive but Unclassified (For Official Use Only) Information (January 2005) when visiting or working at Government…