Staff Research Associate

University of California, Davis; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis CAHFS is hiring a laboratory professional to perform diagnostic assays and assist in laboratory organization. You will process necropsy samples and food pathogen tests, including Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter in dairy products, and Salmonella serotyping.

You will maintain isolate archives, enter data, assist in equipment maintenance, and support annual calibration scheduling.

Qualifications

• Experience independently performing diagnostic testing in veterinary or human diagnostic labs.
• Experience in highly regulated diagnostic environments with accreditation standards and QA/QC systems.
• Experience independently performing molecular, mycology, and parasitology diagnostic testing in veterinary or human labs.
• Organizational skills to multitask, manage records, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for training and collaboration with coworkers, faculty, and external partners.
• Proficient computer skills for email, word processing, spreadsheets, and lab software.

Responsibilities

• 70% - Diagnostic Testing
• 10% - Laboratory Management/Inventory Control

Skills

Diagnostic testing

Regulated QA/QC

Molecular diagnostics

Multitasking

Interpersonal communication

Computer skills

Education

BS in Microbiology or Bacteriology

Tools

LIMS

QA software

Job description

Salary or Pay Range: $32.79 - $52.75 Hourly (budgeted department salary: $32.79 - $41.58 /Hourly, commensurate with educational background and relevant working experience)

Under the direction of the supervisor, this position is responsible for performing diagnostic assays and assisting in the general laboratory organization. The incumbent is responsible for processing necropsy samples and food pathogen testing samples. Independently perform diagnostic testing for clinical pathogens, identification of food pathogen agents in regulatory samples including Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and STEC in dairy products, performance of Salmonella serotyping, isolation and identification of mycoplasma; isolation and identification of fungi, isolation and identification of Brucella sp., processing and identification of Clostridium botulinum toxin using the mouse bioassay, and direct examination of feces for parasite and parasite eggs. Organizational tasks include managing isolate archive, data entry including test assignment and result entry, perform equipment preventive maintenance, ordering of supplies and media. Scheduling and maintaining of records for annual equipment calibrations by external vendors for the entire laboratory. Assist in evaluating new testing methods and literature searches of reference materials.

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Experience independently performing and interpreting results of diagnostic testing in classical bacteriology, mycology and parasitology in a veterinary or human diagnostic laboratory
• Experience working in a highly regulated diagnostic environment that adheres to strict accreditation standards, including expertise following complex protocols, adhering to a strict quality assurance/quality control system, and producing neat, accurate, and complete records in the lab.
• Experience independently performing and interpreting results of diagnostic testing in molecular bacteriology, mycology and parasitology in a veterinary or human diagnostic laboratory
• Organizational skills to multitask, maintain inventory/quality control records, establish priorities to complete assigned tasks, work under pressure to meet deadlines, and adapt to sudden changes in workload
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact through oral/written communication and assist with training with a wide variety of individuals, to include co-workers, faculty and staff supervisors, clients of the CAHFS, and individuals from other University units and government/outside agencies.
• Computer skills to use applications including email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics programs, library search programs, graphing and statistical analysis programs, and Laboratory Information Management and Quality Assurance programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree in Microbiology or Bacteriology with experience independently performing and interpreting results of diagnostic classical and molecular bacteriology in a veterinary or human laboratory.
• Experience with laboratory animal handling.
• Knowledge and skills with advanced molecular analysis tools such as Galaxy Trakr
• Skills to evaluate new technical procedures related to enhancing diagnostic accuracy; knowledge, judgment and ability to perform comparison and validation assessments for modifying laboratory techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• 70% - Diagnostic Testing
• 10% - Laboratory Management/Inventory Control