Laboratory Technician

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance Chenega Professional & Technical Services, LLC, a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for a Laboratory Technician 5 – Genomics Lead Technical Support to support the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infection Diseases by providing laboratory support for research efforts within the Center for Genome Sciences in the Molecular Biology Division. The Laboratory Technician will conduct basic and applied research on current and emerging threats in support of the biodefense and infectious disease program.

In this role, the Laboratory Technician shall aid in the execution of scientific studies including extraction of nucleic acids from different biological matrices, quantification and quality of RNA and DNA, PCR amplification, sequencing library preparation and quantification, high-throughput screening assays and/or high-throughput sequencing on infectious agents. The Laboratory Technician will support processing of tissues from animal, data analyzing and maintaining laboratory areas and equipment. The Laboratory Technician shall provide supervisory support to junior contract personnel, training to new personnel, and perform routine laboratory safety inspections for assigned areas.

Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, innovative solutions for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Perform work on automation equipment that can handle and process high numbers of samples such as Hamilton STAR and King Fisher liquid handlers. Perform purification of nucleic acids from inactivated viral cultures, animal tissues and human subject blood. Assist with design and performing nucleic acid-based assays for tissue culture and/or animal tissue samples.
• Perform research in next generation sequencing (NGS) including Illumina (iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq, NextSeq 2000 and NovaSeq 6000), and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (MinION and GridION). Will also perform nucleic acid extraction, bioanalysis, and quantitation, conventional PCR and qPCR, manual and automated library preparation including RNAseq and DNAseq, and DNA size selection and fractionation including SAGE ELF and Blue Pippin. Additionally, will perform molecular biology work including cloning, primer design, Gibson Assembly, restriction enzyme digestion, ligation, site directed mutagenesis, in vitro transcription, and reverse transcription.
• Operate and analyze data collected on Western Blot equipment such as Protein Simple WES, DNA fragmentation using Covaris systems, Real-Time PCR Detection System such as BioRad CFX, and quantification and QC of RNA and DNA using NanoDrop 8000, Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer, and Agilent 2200 and 4200 TapeStation systems. Will maintain mammalian cell cultures including primary and secondary cell lines and cell line cultures in BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 as required.
• Evaluate effects of pathogen infection on host (animal models or in vitro cultures) analyzing gene expression using RNAseq protocols (bulk, targeted, single cell or spatial) to identify deregulated signaling pathways that can lead to novel treatment strategies for infectious diseases. Will also evaluate the pathogen by population genomics and whole genome sequencing.
• Support animal studies when required by assisting the study personnel to collect and process animal specimens. Analysis may include immunological procedures including Enzyme Linked immunoassay (ELISA), Western blot, Flow Cytometry and RNA/DNA sequencing assays.
• Train new employees, ensure SOPs are followed, deviations are recorded, and safety procedures are observed.
• Assist in the preparation of technical reports and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. Present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
• Write and review standard operating procedures (SOPs), capture forms, and all supporting documentation in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Well-Documented (WD) study regulations as required.
• Responsible for assessing and maintaining laboratory supplies. Will inventory supplies and ensure supply orders are coordinated with Division resources. Will ensure that all assigned laboratory space is orderly and compliant with all regulatory guidance.
• Communicate to the PI or assigned TPOC experimental data, laboratory, or other work-related issues. Communicate with internal maintenance or external vendors for technical support and troubleshooting.
• Maintain an orderly laboratory environment in compliance with regulations. Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment, specimen and reagent inventories, as well as keep an organized, safe and professional work environment
• Participate in regular laboratory decontamination and cleaning to include periodically decontaminating the main laboratory areas, benches and biosafety cabinets to reduce possible sources of contamination. Appropriately dispose of waste and packaging material.
• Serve as a lab manager, responsible for weekly and monthly cleaning and maintenance of the area assigned as required. This includes testing of emergency showers, eye washes and flushing of laboratory drains. Participate in regular instrumentation washes, cleaning and maintenance.
• Maintain laboratory records, document sample processing, protocol design and usage, and data management that meet current CGS and Institutional requirements and ensure continuity and collective-sharing of resources.
• May be required to cross-train and provide laboratory technical support to other areas within the Molecular Biology Division as needed.
• BPRP enrollment is required and will be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.

Qualifications

• A Master of Science degree and/or a minimum of 6 years of relevant expertise in Genomics.
• Enrollment in the BPRP (BSL-3 and BSL-4) is required.
• Active or ability to obtain a Secret level government clearance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic cell culture techniques performed under sterile conditions
• Mastery of in vitro and in vivo microbiological techniques, specifically enzymatic assays, cell-based phenotypic and reporter assays, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and plaque assays
• Experience with immunological procedures including ELISA, Western blot, and Mesoscale Discovery based assays
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Multi-task in a high paced environment
• Works well with others
• Prior experience in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biocontainment labs preferred
• Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP status.