Overview
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 the Microbiologist II the candidates shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of Genomic sequencing of the samples, biological activities, and/or processes of viruses and their component parts.
Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions:
- Perform virus diagnostic and genomic sequencing, including qPCR assay, genomic sequencing using Illumina and ONT platforms.
- Perform research activities to improve, enhance or develop new assay developments with the incorporation of advanced technologies
- Maintaining cell lines, virus variants, and other reagents required for the performance of research activities, including APOBEC-related research.
- Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities including documentation fitting for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
- Participate in branch international research activities to evaluate laboratory capabilities, procure equipment and reagents for diagnostic assays, and train laboratory personnel in Monkeypox virus diagnostic assays.
- Assist with ordering reagents and maintenance of laboratory space for conducting research Activities.
- Propagating and purifying Monkeypox viruses and orthopoxviruses 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 Monkeypox virus and orthopoxvirus species.
- Maintenance and consolidation of all records as related to historical Monkeypox virus
- and orthopoxviruses, and investigation of all reagents produced during these studies.
- Analyzing data relevant to laboratory investigations as well as outbreak response efforts with skills and knowledge of bioinformatics.
- Effectively communicate research activities by presentations in lab, team, and branch meetings.
- Presentation of works in national/international conferences and preparation of
- manuscripts and research articles for publication.
Qualifications
Necessary Skills and Knowledge:
- Working knowledge of molecular biology, virology, infectious disease diagnostics, and laboratory research methods.
- Experience performing nucleic acid extraction, qPCR testing, and routine molecular diagnostic procedures.
- Working knowledge of genomic sequencing methods, including Illumina and/or Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platforms.
- Experience with cell culture, maintenance of cell lines, virus stocks, laboratory reagents, and research materials.
- Basic to intermediate knowledge of bioinformatics and analysis of genomic sequencing data.
- Knowledge of laboratory biosafety, biosecurity, quality assurance, contamination control, and safe handling of infectious materials.
- Ability to follow established protocols, assist with assay development and validation, troubleshoot routine laboratory issues, and accurately document results.
- Strong laboratory recordkeeping, data management, and organizational skills, including maintenance of specimen, reagent, and research records.
- Ability to analyze laboratory data and contribute to technical reports, presentations, manuscripts, and research documentation.
- Effective communication and teamwork skills, including the ability to support training, laboratory coordination, and domestic or international research activities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree in Biology, Microbiology or a related field.
- 2-5 years of relevant experience
- Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Public Trust Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, virology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related scientific field.
- Approximately 2–5 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular diagnostics, infectious disease research, virology, or public health laboratory science.
- Hands-on experience performing qPCR assays and preparing samples or libraries for genomic sequencing.
- Experience using Illumina, ONT, or comparable next-generation sequencing technologies.
- Experience with cell culture, viral propagation, nucleic acid extraction, and maintenance of laboratory reagents or biological materials.
- Familiarity with Mpox virus, orthopoxviruses, zoonotic pathogens, or other infectious disease agents.
- Experience using basic or intermediate bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis, genome assembly, alignment, or variant identification.
- Experience assisting with assay development, validation, method improvement, or implementation of new laboratory technologies.
- Experience supporting infectious disease surveillance, outbreak response, or laboratory research activities.
- Experience contributing to scientific presentations, technical reports, manuscripts, training activities, or laboratory capacity-building efforts.
- Prior experience with CDC.
Pay and BenefitsAt 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.
