JOB TITLE: Microbiologist II

POSITION NUMBER: 2012-03202-M-II-1

POSITION LOCATION: Atlanta, GA, USA

ANTICIPATED START DATE: Two weeks after candidate identification

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 Polio and Picornavirus Laboratory Branch (PPLB), Division of Viral Diseases (DVD), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), at the CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, to provide laboratory support for the PPLB and the Viral Gastroenteritis Branch (VGB), DVD.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Microbiologist II will provide laboratory support for the PPLB and VGB. Responsibilities will include: a) Method development for poliovirus inactivation; b) Performing standard laboratory methods and techniques to characterize and analyze polioviruses, rotaviruses, and noroviruses; c) Assisting with reporting, training and research projects for the PPLB and VGB. The Microbiologist II will support the Division of Viral Diseases in compliance with CDC, federal safety regulations and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Select Agent Regulations and will prepare reports, charts and graphs and present data at internal laboratory meetings.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide method development for inactivating poliovirus including safe transport or safe storage of poliovirus-containing materials.
• Support the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) and the Global Pediatric Diarrhea Surveillance Network (GPDSN) in method development as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D., Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 5 years’ experience in microbiology, biology or a related discipline.

Required:

• 2-4 years years of research experience involving preparation and handling of nucleic acid samples, PCR, real-time PCR, ELISA, and other standard laboratory methods.
• Experience performing laboratory work at a biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) or BSL-2-enhanced level.
• Experience with standard microbiological, virologic, cell culture, and molecular techniques and assays for the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Proof of vaccination for polio and hepatitis B required for entry into the laboratory.
• Proof of poliovirus protective immunity by having their serum antibody levels measured by the CDC clinic.

Desirable:

• Experience performing conventional and/or real-time PCR for diagnosis of infectious diseases.
• Experience with the development and evaluation and optimization of in vitro diagnostic assays, including immunoassays and multiplex qPCR assays.
• Experience in and knowledge of laboratory diagnosis of viral infections.
• 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

To apply for this position:

• If you are viewing this position on the IHRC Career Center, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
• If you are viewing this position on a site other than the IHRC Career Center, you may use the “click to apply” link, or you may apply by visiting our Career Center and searching for the position number listed at the top of this position description.
• To view all of our open positions, and to apply to those positions in which you may be interested, please visit our Career Center, which can also be reached by visiting www.ihrc.com/Careers and clicking on the “View Opportunities” link.

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.