Microbiologist II (Genomic Microbiology Services)

Goldbelt, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Goldbelt Professional Services in Atlanta, GA is seeking a Microbiologist II to perform virology-focused investigations, sequencing, and diagnostic assay development. You will work with viral materials in BSL-2/3 environments and contribute to outbreak response efforts, data analysis, and publications.

Qualified candidates have 3–5 years in molecular virology or related fields, with experience in RT-PCR, sequencing, and genomic analysis; CDC clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of virology, molecular microbiology, molecular diagnostics, sequencing, and infectious disease lab methods.
• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR, and other molecular diagnostic assays.
• Experience with genomic sequencing methods including Sanger and NGS technologies such as Oxford Nanopore.
• Knowledge of viral sequence analysis and phylogenetic methods used for typing, surveillance, and outbreak response.
• Experience supporting diagnostic assay development and validation of new molecular/sequencing technologies.
• Ability to work in BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 environments with biosafety and contamination-control procedures.
• Experience propagating and maintaining viral reagents and handling animal specimens potentially containing zoonotic agents.
• Strong documentation and records-management skills for protocols, reagents, and data.
• Ability to interpret sequencing data and communicate findings via reports and presentations.
• Ability to train laboratory personnel and collaborate with domestic and international partners.

Responsibilities

• Perform virus diagnostic testing including real-time RT-PCR and other assays for confirmation or screening.
• Perform genomic sequencing using Sanger and next-generation methods (including Nanopore).
• Conduct phylogenetic analysis to improve typing, surveillance, and controls.
• Help develop diagnostics and validate new molecular sequencing technologies.
• Train laboratory staff and external researchers in diagnostic assays.
• Participate in international research activities to evaluate capabilities and procure equipment.
• Lead and participate in studies in BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs.
• Maintain detailed lab records suitable for peer-reviewed publications.
• Assist with ordering reagents and maintaining laboratory spaces.
• Propagate and purify viruses for assay validation and research.
• Perform nucleic acid extractions on animal samples potentially infected with zoonotic agents.
• Analyze data and communicate findings through reports and meetings.
• Present work at national/international conferences and prepare manuscripts.

Skills

Virology

Molecular microbiology

Genomic sequencing

Real-time RT-PCR

Phylogenetic analysis

Bioinformatics tools

Laboratory documentation

BSL-2/BSL-3 handling

Training others

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology or closely related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Oxford Nanopore sequencing

Sanger sequencing

NGS platforms

Job description

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 a Microbiologist II the candidate shall perform specified portions of scientific work involving studies of Genomic sequencing, molecular diagnostics, and/or biological activities, and/or processes of viruses, humans, and animals, and their component parts.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions

• Perform virus diagnostic testing, including the Pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay and other assays for either confirmation or screening.
• Perform genomic sequencing using the traditional Sanger sequencing methods and the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including Nanopore sequencing
• Perform phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences to improve typing, surveillance, and controls.
• 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 diagnostic assays
• Lead and participate in studies performed in the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories as they relate to nucleic acid-based diagnostics or as needed.
• Maintaining detailed laboratory records of activities, including documentation suitable for submission of results for peer-reviewed publications.
• 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.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge

• Working knowledge of virology, molecular microbiology, molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, and infectious disease laboratory methods.
• Hands-on experience performing nucleic acid extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR, and other molecular diagnostic assays for viral detection or confirmation.
• Experience with genomic sequencing methods, including Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore or comparable platforms.
• Working knowledge of viral sequence analysis and phylogenetic methods used for typing, surveillance, epidemiologic investigation, and outbreak response.
• Experience supporting diagnostic assay development, optimization, validation, or implementation of new molecular or sequencing 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 virus propagation, purification, maintenance of viral reagents, and processing of animal or other specimens potentially containing zoonotic viral agents.
• Strong laboratory documentation and records-management skills, including maintenance of protocols, reagent inventories, historical virus records, experimental data, and publication-quality documentation.
• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and sequencing data and communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, and scientific discussions.
• Ability to train laboratory personnel, collaborate with domestic and international partners, and support laboratory capability assessments, reagent/equipment coordination, and diagnostic assay implementation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelors microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Public Trust Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genomics, biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field.
• Approximately 5-7 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular diagnostics, virology, genomic sequencing, infectious disease research, or public health laboratory science.
• Direct experience performing real-time RT-PCR assays for rabies, lyssaviruses, orthopoxviruses, or other zoonotic or emerging viral pathogens.
• Hands-on experience with Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing platforms, particularly Oxford Nanopore technologies.
• Experience performing phylogenetic or genomic analysis using common sequence-analysis or bioinformatics tools.
• Experience conducting nucleic acid-based diagnostic or research activities in BSL-3 laboratories.
• Experience propagating, purifying, characterizing, or maintaining viral isolates for diagnostic validation or research purposes.
• Experience working with animal specimens or samples potentially infected with zoonotic agents.
• Experience training laboratory personnel or external partners in molecular diagnostic or sequencing methods, including international laboratory capacity-building activities.
• Experience contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, scientific presentations, peer-reviewed publications, or presentations at national or international 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.