NCPL VETERINARY PATHOLOGIST, NEIDL Comparative Pathology Laboratory

This position is located at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL), in Boston, Massachusetts. The supervisor of this position is Dr. Nicholas Crossland, Director of the NEIDL Comparative Pathology Laboratory (NCPL). Hans Gertje, HTL(ASCP)CMQIHCCM oversees the day to day operations of the laboratory space and ensures execution of quality histological processes, maintenance of instruments, billing, inventory, and progress on academic and industry contract research projects.

The mission of the NEIDL is threefold:

• To perform cutting-edge research on emerging infectious diseases and to develop diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines to promote the publics health through combating infectious diseases.
• To provide training in these areas of research and to support a national response in the event of a biodefense emergency.
• To establish a research facility with the highest attention to community and laboratory safety and security.

MAJOR DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

• Independently generate comprehensive and accurate pathology reports and participate in peer review as communicated by the NCPL director in accordance with study director/point of control and sponsor requests.
• Enroll and successfully complete ABSL-4 training, achieve independent access, and become a mentor to train future NEIDL ABSL4 staff.
• Conduct necropsies (primarily non-human primates in addition to rodents or other species as they arise on an as needed basis) and document gross pathology findings as a means to determine gross-microscopic correlates of disease and document in the study pathology report. •Respond to audits performed internally, or by regulatory agencies and study sponsors.
• Write and review SOPs as pertains to the scope of work.
• Evaluate and assist in the implementation of instrumentation and software upgrades as pertains to the scope of work.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of NCPL.
• If time permits, incumbents are encouraged to pursue co-investigator collaborations with NEIDL investigators/faculty members on research projects beyond the scope of contracts.

POSITION CREDENTIAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

D.V.M. (or equivalent) degree and board eligible for American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) certification are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Biocontainment work requires physical exertion such as walking, standing, bending, and lifting of light equipment/supplies. Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time and do fine precision work. Must have good vision, including fine color discrimination, and good manual dexterity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed inside a temperature and humidity-controlled laboratory.

WORK ASSIGNMENT

The incumbent consults with the supervisor and NCPL staff to improve production efficiency, while maintaining a high standard of work quality. The incumbent ensures the work is accurate.

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases – whether they occur naturally or are introduced deliberately through bioterrorism. The NEIDL is dedicated to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition to Bio Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, the NEIDL houses BSL-4 laboratories that will operate at the highest level of containment. The NEIDL will add to the growing life sciences industry in the region, throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and across the country.

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation:

·       Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

·       Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of:

·       Social Security Number;

·       Academic credentials;

·       Past employment;

·       Licenses and credentials;

·       Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check;

·       RMV/DMV driving record, if required.

·       Medical Clearance Process: includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.

·       Training and Education: to be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Individuals seeking or required to have approval to work with Select Agents will be subject to the following additional requirements:

·       Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting: To be completed in accordance with CDC requirements as part of application to have access to Select Agents.

·       Select Agent Use Approval: to be completed in accordance with all regulations including the requirements of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

  Please note, any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access, is subject to

·       periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations

·       periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, any applicable licenses, and verification of the successful completion of any required training at the facility

·       Search of person, clothing and effects prior to entry into or egress from NEIDL

When applicable, individuals will be required to maintain all applicable clearances and licenses and to disclose any changes in circumstances that could compromise access to the facility.

Continued employment/ affiliation is contingent upon strict adherence, at all times, to all applicable safety and security rules, procedures, and protocols, as well as required training regimens.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

MAJOR DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

• Independently generate comprehensive and accurate pathology reports and participate in peer review as communicated by the NCPL director in accordance with study director/point of control and sponsor requests.
• Enroll and successfully complete ABSL-4 training, achieve independent access, and become a mentor to train future NEIDL ABSL4 staff.
• Conduct necropsies (primarily non-human primates in addition to rodents or other species as they arise on an as needed basis) and document gross pathology findings as a means to determine gross-microscopic correlates of disease and document in the study pathology report. •Respond to audits performed internally, or by regulatory agencies and study sponsors.
• Write and review SOPs as pertains to the scope of work.
• Evaluate and assist in the implementation of instrumentation and software upgrades as pertains to the scope of work.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of NCPL.
• If time permits, incumbents are encouraged to pursue co-investigator collaborations with NEIDL investigators/faculty members on research projects beyond the scope of contracts.

POSITION CREDENTIAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

D.V.M. (or equivalent) degree and board eligible for American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) certification are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Biocontainment work requires physical exertion such as walking, standing, bending, and lifting of light equipment/supplies. Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time and do fine precision work. Must have good vision, including fine color discrimination, and good manual dexterity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed inside a temperature and humidity-controlled laboratory.

WORK ASSIGNMENT

The incumbent consults with the supervisor and NCPL staff to improve production efficiency, while maintaining a high standard of work quality. The incumbent ensures the work is accurate.

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases – whether they occur naturally or are introduced deliberately through bioterrorism. The NEIDL is dedicated to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition to Bio Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, the NEIDL houses BSL-4 laboratories that will operate at the highest level of containment. The NEIDL will add to the growing life sciences industry in the region, throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and across the country.

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation:

·       Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

·       Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of:

·       Social Security Number;

·       Academic credentials;

·       Past employment;

·       Licenses and credentials;

·       Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check;

·       RMV/DMV driving record, if required.

·       Medical Clearance Process: includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.

·       Training and Education: to be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Individuals seeking or required to have approval to work with Select Agents will be subject to the following additional requirements:

·       Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting: To be completed in accordance with CDC requirements as part of application to have access to Select Agents.

·       Select Agent Use Approval: to be completed in accordance with all regulations including the requirements of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

  Please note, any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access, is subject to

·       periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations

·       periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, any applicable licenses, and verification of the successful completion of any required training at the facility

·       Search of person, clothing and effects prior to entry into or egress from NEIDL

When applicable, individuals will be required to maintain all applicable clearances and licenses and to disclose any changes in circumstances that could compromise access to the facility.

Continued employment/ affiliation is contingent upon strict adherence, at all times, to all applicable safety and security rules, procedures, and protocols, as well as required training regimens.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.