Research Scientist/Engineer 1

Job Description

RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 1

Req #: 234758 Department: SCHOOL OF GLOBAL HEALTH Posting Date: 06/06/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled 06/20/2024 Salary: $4,649 - $5,250 per month Other Compensation: Union Position: Yes Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. Although open until filled, priority application date is June 20, 2024.
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The Department of Global Health was established in 2007, bridging the schools of Medicine and Public Health, with a mandate to harness the expertise and interdisciplinary power of all UW schools and colleges. Our mission is to improve health for all through research, education, training, and service; to understand and address the causes of disease and health inequities at multiple levels; and to collaborate with partners to develop and sustain locally-led, quality health systems, programs and policies. Driven by tremendous interest among both students and faculty, the Department has grown explosively to more than 400 graduate students and hundreds more undergraduates. We have more than 380 faculty and 1,000 staff working on projects across 130 countries with our deepest ties in United States, Kenya, Uganda, Peru, Mozambique, India, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nicaragua. At the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. The Department recognizes that disparities in health around the globe stem from inequity. The Department encourages and supports the multiple identities of staff, faculty and students including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, culture, spiritual practice, geography, mental and physical disability and age. The Department strives to become a local, national, and international leader in developing and maintaining increased representation and recognition of each of these dimensions of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students.
Position Description
Dr. Soge’s Laboratory in the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington located at the Ninth and Jefferson Building on the Harborview Campus, has an outstanding opportunity for a full-time, Research Scientist 1, (Research Scientist/Engineer 1 (NE S UAW RSE)) project appointment. The individual in this position will provide support for research studies on phenotypic and genotypic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae through determination of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange County, Portland, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Alaska; and diagnostics of sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The individual in this position will conduct molecular characterization of gonococcal isolates to define epidemiology and genetic determinants of resistance, support the development and validation of novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for detection of genetic markers of AMR in N. gonorrhoeae; support evaluation of the performance of novel diagnostic tests for detection of Mycoplasma genitalium AMR; detection of Treponema pallidum from mucosal and serum specimens; and detection of LGV from clinical specimens. The successful candidate will be highly responsible, meticulous, and very organized. Candidates should have acquired basic microbiology skills and molecular techniques. Evidence of outstanding scholarship in microbiology and other science courses as an undergraduate is highly desirable.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
STI diagnostics, phenotypic and molecular characterization of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (85%)

Conduct bacterial culture and bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using established protocols.

Conduct Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by agar dilution and Etest following established protocols

Perform species confirmatory tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Perform molecular detection of STI pathogens using the fully automated Hologic Panther System

Perform polymerase chain reactions (PCR), Real-time PCR, Quantitative PCR (qPCR), agarose gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid amplification tests.

Independently execute standard protocols for molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance determinants of bacterial isolates and clinical specimens.

Perform nucleic acid amplification testing for detection of Treponema pallidum from mucosal specimens, sera, blood, and other clinical specimens.

Perform real-time PCR assays for detection of genetic markers of resistance in Neisseria gonorrheoae using novel laboratory developed and commercially available assays

Perform molecular detection of Lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia trachomatis L serovars (L1, L2, L2b, L3) using RT-PCR on the fully automated Panther Fusion® system using the Open AccessTM functionality.

Participate in the development of novel assays for STI and AMR diagnostics, modification, refinement, optimization and validation of procedures and techniques to obtain optimal results using the Panther Fusion® system Open AccessTM functionality

Purification of high molecular weight genomic DNA and high-quality libraries preparation for Next Generation Sequencing, and PCR sample preparation for Sanger DNA sequencing.

Optimize protocols and troubleshoot experiments as necessary to generate relevant data and improve data quality.

Conduct bacterial culture and bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using established protocols.

Develop new laboratory protocols for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing, co-culture of pathogenic and commensal Neisseria species, culture-independent molecular detection of AMR, STI diagnostics, and quantification of organism load in clinical specimens by systematically testing, validating and troubleshooting variety of novel approaches.
Data documentation, verification and analysis (10%)

Maintain and complete accurate, legible laboratory records.? Thoroughly documents any protocol modifications.

Contribute data and analyses for grant submissions and assist in the preparation of research publications and conference presentations.

Data processing and analysis using excel and bioinformatics software.
Lab Maintenance/General (5%)

Facilitate laboratory organization including chemical and biological safety, study site visit by sponsor and regulatory requirements for good laboratory practice and compliance.

General laboratory maintenance including cleaning of glassware, temperature logs/charts of laboratory equipment, preparing reagents and chemical solutions, freezer organization and inventory of isolates, shipment of specimens.

Participate in lab meetings and network with coworkers and collaborators.

Perform work accurately, precisely and meets test completion deadlines.? Accommodates schedule changes to cooperatively accomplish required daily work.

Perform other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or other scientific field, e.g. Molecular Biology or Molecular Genetics Biochemistry and one year of relevant experience,
OR
Equivalent combination of education/experience.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Microbiology and/or molecular biology laboratory skills and research experience.

Depth of expertise in novel PCR assays, qPCR and APTIMA nucleic acid amplification testing of sexually transmitted pathogens.

Research experience with real-time PCR and traditional PCR techniques.

Research assay development experience including developing and optimizing molecular resistance assays for the detection of AMR-associated mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae using TaqManTM-based real-time multiplexed PCRs.

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and to proactively communicate with supervisor.

Self-motivated individual with strong problem-solving skills

Ability to work well with other laboratory staff

Strong computer skills including spreadsheets, database entry, statistics, graphs, and presentation.

Record of contribution to published work.

Professional, flexible, and hardworking with a strong attention to detail and ability to organize and maintain accurate records.

Good clinical laboratory practice (GCLP) skills

Previous experience working in a clinical or research environment, State and Federal Public Health Laboratory.

Research assay development experience including developing and optimizing molecular resistance assays for the detection of AMR-associated mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae using TaqManTM-based real-time multiplexed PCRs.

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and to proactively communicate with supervisor.
Conditions of Employment

This position will have critical/essential staff designation and as such will be required to report to work when scheduled despite inclement weather.

This position requires flexibility in the work hours, including extension into the evening when processing of specimens and research deadlines mandate, and on occasion requires working outside of the standard work week.

The sponsor requires that the successful candidate must be willing to participate in proficiency testing programs by testing panels of blind isolates (2 times/year) and support ongoing rigorous quality assessment and continuous laboratory improvement activities.
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. As an employee you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please view this page.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .

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