Molecular Biologist - Pest Identification & Lab Support

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks a Molecular Biologist (Project Support Specialist) to support pest identification using molecular technology and assist senior scientists in finding cryptic pests across plant pathology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, and nematology.

The ideal candidate will contribute to diverse projects, maintain laboratory databases and sample collections, and follow good laboratory practices while working under the guidance of senior staff.

Qualifications

• Experience using molecular techniques including conventional PCR, real-time PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, and related methods.
• Independently conducts day-to-day laboratory operations and adheres to good laboratory practices.
• Maintains databases and tissue/nucleic acid sample collections with minimal supervision.
• Maintains inventories of laboratory reagents, chemicals, supplies, equipment, and other items.
• Analyzes data and prepares written/oral reports for senior staff and supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Support pest identification with molecular technology.
• Assist senior Molecular Biologists in plant pathology projects.
• Contribute to special projects involving molecular biology in plant pathology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, and nematology.

Skills

PCR techniques

Gel electrophoresis

Sequence analysis

Good laboratory practices

Sample & inventory management

Data analysis & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences/related

2 years of graduate education toward Master's

Job description

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks a Molecular Biologist (Project Support Specialist) to support pest identification using molecular technology and assist senior scientists in finding cryptic pests across plant pathology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, and nematology.

The ideal candidate will contribute to diverse projects, maintain laboratory databases and sample collections, and follow good laboratory practices while working under the guidance of senior staff.