Senior Bacteriology Technician

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a Potential need for a Senior Bacteriology Technician to support our government customer located in Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist PI in Molecular Microbiological Experiments aimed at defining elements and factors involved in bacterial virulence. Assist in approximately 2 animal protocols conducted by other investigators.
  
• Complete approximately 25 Opsonic Adherence assays to test the efficacy of animal sera (Rabbit and NHP) in the presence of Baby Rabbit Complement to adhere Ames bacilli and spores to RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
  
• Complete over 1000 ELISAs (including retesting of samples where needed): Yersinia pestis novel vaccine strategies
  
• Burkholderia novel vaccine strategies
  
• Yersinia pestis novel mAb identification
  
• Burkholderia novel mAb identification
  
• Francisella tularensis novel vaccine strategies/animal modeling
  
• Coxiella burnetii novel vaccine strategies/animal modeling
  
• Prepare approximately 10 different Reagents / Media for the lab (including R Medium, DMEM/FBS, LB Broth, Sodium Bicarbonate, APS LB Agar, BHI, etc).
  
• Plate approximately 100 LB plates for use for Ames sporulation isolation and purification.
  
• Isolate and purify approximately 10 plasmid DNA specimens.
  
• FITC label and count approximately 10 Ames samples to check ratio of Bacilli: Spores over multiple time points.
  
• Order lab supplies for BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories including common supplies, custom orders, and equipment.
  
• Present overview of data collected from Opsonic Adherence and ELISA at group meeting; present progress reports to supervising investigator. Use computer to prepare graphs and write reports for supervising investigator.
  
• Perform approximately 100 Immunological, antibody determinations.
  
• Perform approximately 100 ELISAs on mouse, nonhuman primate, and/or human serum.
  
• Perform approximately 50 Cytokine analyses. Measures cytokines in mouse, nonhuman primate, and/or human serum. Measures cytokines in cell cultures and cell extracts. Uses a Luminex instrument for analysis.
  
• Perform approximately 50 Flow Cytometry tasks, determining cellular distribution in mouse samples and intracellular cytokine expression. Uses a BD FACS Calibur and BD FACS Canto II to analyze cellular distribution.
  
• Perform approximately 25 Cell Biology/Biochemical/microbiological tasks. Performs laboratory tests, such as protein gel electrophoresis, western blot analysis, growth of macrophage cell lines, live-dead cell determinations, prepares microbiological media for bacterial cultures.
  
• Organize and maintain data generated from immunological and microbiological studies.
  
• Responsible for managing approximately 80 hand receipt items and maintaining laboratory equipment.
  
• Complete approximately 10 anthrax toxin neutralization (TNA) assays per year.
  
• Perform approximately 15 animal challenges per year and approximately 10 bacterial challenge preparations to include planning and performing complex pathogenesis studies.
  
• Perform approximately 1,200 animal injections per year and approximately 2,500 animal observations per year.
  
• Complete approximately 500 bacterial burdens in organ tissue per year.
  
• Perform approximately 100 Luminex Cytokine Analyses per year.
  
• Perform approximately 75 Macrophage phagocytosis assays per year.
  
• Process approximately 200 ELISAs per year.
  
• Perform approximately 125 Animal Necropsies per year.
  
• Process approximately 150 animal gavage and 250 animal blood collections per year.
  
• Complete approximately 40 DNA chromosomal preparations, 500 PCR reactions; and 35 Agar gel analysis per year.
  
• Prepare approximately 20 cloning plasmids, approximately 50 sequencing reactions, and approximately 90 plasmid preparations.
  
• Complete approximately 100 media preparations per year.
  
• Perform approximately 250 BSL-3 live/dead assays per year.
  
• Process approximately 40 protein and western gels per year.
  
• Place approximately 50 GFEBs orders per year for supplies and equipment.
  
• Serve as a training representative for BSL-2 laboratory skills.
  
• Assist PI with Project Planning, quarterly.
  
• Participate in training new personnel on laboratory tasks monthly.
  
• Perform BSAT Inventory Management weekly.
  
• Conduct Equipment Inventory Management twice a year in BSL-2 and BSL-3.
  
• Perform monthly Laboratory Management to include safety functions and chemical inventory.
  
• Assist the BSL-3 suite supervisor with suite supervisory duties.
  
• Interface with inspectors and perform monthly inspections.
  
• Responsible for planning and performing animal experiments under BSL-3 conditions.
  
• Review relevant literature monthly. May assist in the preparation standard operating procedures and manuscripts relating to their research efforts. May be expected to present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require CONUS or OCONUS travel. Present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
  
• Provide Bacteriology Technical Support Report which would include materials and methods, data and data analysis and should be updated monthly.
  
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
  

REQUIRED DEGREE/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant science field required (Molecular Microbiological or similar field of study preferred) with 5 years of Laboratory experience.
  

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must have background in Molecular Microbiological laboratory research.
  
• Must have direct experience with bacterial virulence and animal protocols
  
• Must have direct experience performing Opsonic Adherence assays adhering Ames bacilli and spores to RAW macrophage cells.
  
• Must have direct experience conducting ELISAs (including retesting of samples where needed) such as:
  
• Yersinia pestis novel vaccine strategies
  
• Burkholderia novel vaccine strategies
  
• Yersinia pestis novel mAb identification
  
• Burkholderia novel mAb identification
  
• Francisella tularensis novel vaccine strategies/animal modeling
  
• Coxiella burnetii novel vaccine strategies/animal modeling
  
• Direct experience preparing Reagents / Media for the lab (including R Medium, DMEM/FBS, LB Broth, Sodium Bicarbonate, APS LB Agar, BHI, etc).
  
• Direct experience performing the isolation and purification of: Ames sporulation, plasmid DNA specimens
  
• Must have a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years performing Equipment Inventory Management. Experience with GFEBS preferred.
  
• Must have a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years performing Immunological, antibody determinations.
  
• Must have a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years performing ELISAs and Cytokine analyses on mice, nonhuman primates, and/or human serum.
  
• Previous experience with a Luminex instrument for analysis preferred.
  
• Previous experience with BD FACS Calibur and BD FACS Canto II to analyze cellular distribution preferred.
  
• Must have a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years performing Biology/Biochemical/microbiological tasks including but not limited to laboratory tests, such as protein gel electrophoresis, western blot analysis, growth of macrophage cell lines, live-dead cell determinations, preparation of microbiological media for bacterial cultures, etc.
  
• Must have a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years performing immunological and microbiological studies.
  
• Must have a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years performing Animal Necropsies, animal gavage and animal blood collections.
  
• Must have direct experience performing PCR reactions and Agar gel analysis, cloning plasmids, sequencing reactions, and plasmid preparations.
  
• Must be able to perform protein gel electrophoresis, western blot analysis, growth of macrophage cell lines, bacterial growth assays, live-dead cell determinations.
  
• Must have direct experience preparing microbiological media for bacterial cultures, DNA chromosomal preparations.
  
• Must have direct experience performing PCR reactions and Agar gel analysis, cloning plasmids, sequencing reactions, and plasmid preparations.
  
• Must have direct experience performing complement fixation assays, inhibition concentration antibiotic testing, vaccine/therapeutic efforts or animal modeling efforts for bacterial pathogens, and RT-PCR and qPCR analyses.
  

REQUIRED CITIZENSHIP AND CLEARANCE:

• U.S. Citizen
• Must pass NACI background check.
• Must be willing to work in a BSL 2/3 laboratory.
• Must be eligible to enroll in the BPRP and CS-PRP programs.

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries. Eligible full-time employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 11 paid holidays.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans. We are proud to state that we do not illegally discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of any protected categories. If you are a person with a disability and you need an accommodation during the application process, please click here to request accommodation. We E-Verify all employees

"EOE, including Disability/Vets" OR "Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans"

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is comprised of industry-recognized government service firms designated as Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned and 8(a) certified businesses. The Family of Companies (FOCs) includes Ke`aki Technologies, Laulima Government Solutions, Kūpono Government Services, and Kāpili Services, Po`okela Solutions, Kīkaha Solutions, LLC, and Pololei Solutions, LLC. Alaka`ina Foundation activities principally benefit the youth of Hawaii through charitable efforts which includes providing innovative educational programs that combine leadership, science & technology, and environmental stewardship.

For additional information, please visit www.alakainafoundation.com

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