Microbiologist III (Diagnostic Microbiology Services)

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 III the candidate shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of immune responses after vaccination, humoral and cellular immune responses, biological activities, and/or processes of viruses, humans, and animals, and their component parts.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform virus diagnostic testing, including DFA (Direct Fluorescent Antibody test), RFFIT (Rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test), and other assays for either confirmation or screening.
• Perform research activities to improve, enhance or develop new diagnostic assay developments with the incorporation of advanced technologies
• Train other members of the laboratory or external laboratory researchers with diagnostic assays
• Participate in branch international research activities to evaluate laboratory capabilities, Procure equipment and reagents for diagnostic assays, and train laboratory personnel in virus diagnostic assays
• Participate in and lead animal studies in which animals are inoculated with viruses.
• Lead and participate in studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories as they relate to immunology and protein-based diagnostics or as needed.
• Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities, including documentation fitting for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
• Maintaining cell lines, virus variants, and other reagents required for the performance of research activities.
• Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research activities
• Propagating and purifying viruses for use in assays for validation of diagnostic assays and investigative purposes.
• Performing nucleic acid extractions on animal samples known or potentially infected with zoonotic agents, including rabies virus and orthopoxvirus species
• Maintenance and consolidation of all records as related to historical viruses, and investigation of all reagents produced during these studies.
• Analyzing data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts.
• Effectively communicate research activities through presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings.
• Presentation of works in national/international conferences and preparation of manuscripts and research articles for publication.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of virology, immunology, molecular biology, serology, and diagnostic microbiology applicable to viral diseases and vaccine-related immune responses.
• Hands-on experience performing viral diagnostic assays, including fluorescent antibody, neutralization, serologic, immunologic, or comparable confirmatory and screening methods.
• Experience supporting assay development, optimization, validation, and implementation of new diagnostic or immunologic technologies.
• Ability to conduct laboratory studies in BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 environments while following established biosafety, biosecurity, quality, and contamination-control procedures.
• Experience with cell culture, maintenance of cell lines and viral stocks, and propagation and purification of viruses for diagnostic or research purposes.
• Working knowledge of humoral and cellular immune response testing and laboratory methods used to evaluate vaccine or infection-related immune responses.
• Ability to support or participate in animal studies involving viral challenge or inoculation and to process associated specimens in accordance with established protocols.
• Strong laboratory documentation and records-management skills, including maintenance of protocols, study records, reagent inventories, experimental data, and publication-quality documentation.
• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory data in support of diagnostic investigations, research studies, assay evaluation, and outbreak-response activities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for training laboratory personnel, presenting research findings, and contributing to reports, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors microbiology, virology, immunology, molecular biology, biological sciences, or a closely related scientific field.
• 2-5 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Public Trust Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in microbiology, virology, immunology, molecular biology, biological sciences, or a closely related scientific field.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant laboratory experience in viral diagnostics, immunology, infectious disease research, public health laboratory science, or related areas.
• Direct experience performing DFA, RFFIT, virus-neutralization, fluorescent antibody, or other rabies-related diagnostic and serologic assays.
• Experience evaluating humoral or cellular immune responses following vaccination or infection.
• Experience conducting diagnostic or research activities in BSL-3 laboratories and working with zoonotic or emerging viral pathogens.
• Experience participating in or coordinating animal studies involving viral inoculation, specimen collection, and laboratory testing.
• Experience propagating, purifying, characterizing, or maintaining rabies virus, orthopoxviruses, or other viral isolates.
• Experience performing nucleic acid extraction and testing of animal specimens potentially infected with zoonotic agents.
• Experience training laboratory staff or external partners in diagnostic assays, including international laboratory capacity-building or technical-assistance activities.
• Experience contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, or presentations at national or international scientific 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.