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The UW Neisseria Reference Laboratory located at the Ninth and Jefferson Building on the Harborview Campus, has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist Assistant. The individual in this position will provide support for the Neisseria Reference Laboratory collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Public Health Laboratory, WA DOH, and STD Clinics in US cities, to monitor Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility trends in the United States; and to provide quality-assured data to inform CDC’s treatment recommendations for gonorrhea. The successful candidate will be highly responsible, meticulous, and very organized. Candidates should have acquired basic microbiology skills, and should be interested in spending much of their time preparing antimicrobial-containing culture media for susceptibility testing, and be willing to learn and demonstrate competency in performing Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Additionally, the candidate should be interested in learning molecular techniques for detection of STI pathogens and resistance determinants. Evidence of outstanding scholarship in microbiology and other science courses as an undergraduate is highly desirable.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance surveillance (80%)

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

Perform species confirmatory tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Participate in and support quality assessment and continuous laboratory improvement activities

Participate in lab meetings and network with coworkers and collaborators

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

Perform related duties as assigned.

Molecular detection and characterization of STI pathogens (20%)

Molecular detection of STI pathogens using the fully automated Hologic Panther System

Purification of high molecular weight genomic DNA for Next Generation Sequencing

PCR and sequencing of PCR products for strain subtyping and characterization of antibiotic resistance determinants

Participate in diagnostic test validation and optimization of new test methods

Data processing and analysis using excel and bioinformatics software

Contribute data for use in publications or conference presentations

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or other scientific field, e.g. Molecular Biology or Biochemistry

Three months minimum of job-related experience to successfully perform the duties of the job.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The sponsor requires that the successful candidate must be willing to train for 3-6 weeks on antimicrobial susceptibility testing; demonstrate proficiency by testing panels of blind isolates (2 times/year) and participate in 6 other proficiency testing events for molecular testing performed in the laboratory; and support ongoing rigorous quality assessment and continuous laboratory improvement activities.

Have a working knowledge of general lab procedures and protocols

Demonstrated ability to work independently and to proactively communicate with supervisor and collaborators regarding research progress and lab management

Excellent microbiology laboratory skills

High degree of organization and meticulousness

Ability to take on responsibility

Ability to work well with other laboratory staff

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS

Excellent molecular biology laboratory skills

Depth of expertise in Gram-stain, microscopy, qPCR and nucleic acid amplification testing, cell culture and microscopy

Experience in antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Etest and/agar dilution

Experience performing APTIMA nucleic acid amplification test

Experience with PCR testing methods and sequencing technologies

Good laboratory practice (GLP) skills

Experience working in a clinical or research environment

Bacteriology and molecular biology research experience.

Research experience with real-time PCR and traditional PCR techniques

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

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.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.