Research Scientist​/Engineer 1

Job Description

The Department of Microbiology has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 1 to join their team.

Reporting to the professor, the Research Scientist/Engineer 1 purpose is manage to investigate antibiotic resistance in clinical samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The candidate will also aid in processing of clinical sputum samples including, culturing, species identification, and genotyping. The candidate will also work on preparing and screening transposon libraries for resistance phenotypes. The desired candidate will be very meticulous and have impeccable organizational skills, have experience culturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and making and working with transposon library, and be able to interpret and communicate results in lab meetings.

The RSE-1 will use his/her laboratory skills and clinical laboratory experience to work with investigators, technicians, and support personnel in assuring compliance with established laboratory practices, and to assist in drafting and updating Standard Operating Procedures for ongoing and new research protocols. Familiarity with a wide variety of laboratory equipment and techniques will be necessary in order to maximize the function of this shared laboratory.

• Investigate alternative mechanisms which can lead to antibiotic failure including antagonism and heteroresistance. Perform traditional MIC testing including broth microdilution, E-test, and Efficiency of plating assays. Prepare and test transposon libraries for transient resistance. Use ddPCR to investigate gene copy number. Isolate and characterize bacteria and prepare DNA from clinical samples. Assist laboratory members with experiments. Prepare laboratory reagents.

• Collect, process, and culture bacteria from sputum. Basic molecular biology, including DNA preparation, qPCR, ddPCR. Inform lab members on proper clinical sample processing based on current medical laboratory science guidelines.

• Restock laboratory supplies. Participate in laboratory meetings and establish ownership of research projects. Perform related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or Medical Lab sciences or related field and
• One year of relevant experience in microbiology, bacterial culture, antimicrobial resistance testing, or clinical sample processing.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager

• Experience working with Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.
• Experience investigating heteroresistance including detecting gene duplication. Including methods for investigating unstable and induced antibiotic resistance.
• Experience creating, verifying, and testing transposon libraries for antibiotic resistance.
• Experience with culturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum, clinical sample processing, and knowledge of proper medical laboratory science techniques.
• Experience with identifying and characterizing Psedudomonas aeruginosa including phenotypic analysis, molecular analysis, and MIC testing using a variety of assays.
• Experience with standard molecular biological techniques including cloning, bacterial conjugation, electroporation, DNA isolation, PCR, qPC

• One year or more of experience working in microbiology lab.
• ASPC board certification, and/or degree in medical laboratory science.
• Effective communication and record keeping skills.
• Interest in chronic infections and antibiotic resistance.
• Experience with meticulous sample labeling and processing to ensure samples are not lost or mislabeled.
• Experience reading and using scientific literature to develop new protocols in consultation with other researchers in the lab.
• Experience communicating findings to a scientific audience including presentation of posters or other material at…