JOB TITLE: Microbiologist I

POSITION NUMBER: 2407-80002-M-I-3

POSITION LOCATION: Baton Rouge, LA, USA

ANTICIPATED START DATE: Two weeks after candidate selection

TRAVEL: As required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position

IHRC, Inc. provides scientific, information management, management consulting, bioinformatics, and administrative program support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Federal and private sector clients. The successful candidate will be a full-time employee of IHRC, Inc., and will be assigned to the Laboratory Research Branch (LRB), National Hansen’s Disease Program (NHDP), Healthcare Systems Bureau (HSB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana to provide support for the development and enhancement of the understanding of leprosy complex bacteria (Mycobacterium leprae [M. leprae] and M. lepromatosis).

SCOPE OF WORK

The Microbiologist I will provide support for the development of molecular assays to determine the viability of leprosy complex bacteria in various sample matrices.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide expertise in preparing complex culture media designed for various in vitro tissue and microbial cultures.
• Conduct purification procedures for proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and/or other cellular components from complex biological extracts of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Perform complex enzymatic reactions to splice DNA into cloning vectors.
• Perform DNA and RNA purification following PCR amplification for DNA analysis using agarose and polyacrylamide gels and automated DNA sequencing.
• Perform nucleic acid quantitation using UV spectrophotometry.
• Perform animal manipulations on armadillos (100 - 250), conventional mice (1000), knockout mice (750), and transgenic nude mice (350 - 700) to include injection and dissection of major organs and tissue samples for subsequent analysis of immune responses and genotyping leprosy complex bacteria.
• Provide assistance in technical design of experiments.
• Provide documentation and interpretation of data.
• Submit Monthly and Quarterly progress reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or related discipline required.

Required:

• Academic training in microbiology, nucleic acid purification, and PCR techniques.
• Knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, and/or immunology.
• Experience involving standard microbiology and molecular biology laboratory techniques.
• Excellent skills in documentation, and knowledge of safety requirements for research being performed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, for interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working with leprosy complex bacteria (Mycobacterium leprae [M. leprae] and/or M. lepromatosis).
• Previous experience performing animal manipulations, including injection and dissection of major organs and tissue samples.
• Ability to work independently and yet maintain the flexibility to respond to requests for support of ongoing projects.

Language Skills:

• The candidate must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English

REQUIREMENT:

• Must be United States citizen or permanent resident or have authorization for employment in the United States

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

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IHRC, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. It is the policy of IHRC, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, and to take affirmative action in accordance with applicable laws and Executive Orders.