Senior Microbiologist (Wastewater Genomic Surveillance) (Biotech)

SUMMARY

The Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory Branch (DWRLB) seeks a Senior Microbiologist (Wastewater Genomic Surveillance) candidate to support the CDPH Microbiology Unit's wastewater surveillance laboratory and program. The CDPH Microbiology Unit wastewater surveillance laboratory is a part of CDPH's wastewater surveillance program, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) Center of Excellence.

The Senior Microbiologist will focus on the environmental detection of the SARS CoV-2 virus and other infectious disease pathogens of public health importance (e.g., influenza, respiratory syncytial, and monkeypox viruses) using PCR-based molecular platforms. The successful candidate will perform important laboratory testing to detect and identify the infectious disease viruses and other pathogens in wastewater as a surveillance tool for routine surveillance and to support outbreak investigations and public health preparedness and response.

The Senior Microbiologist will work closely with the CDPH wastewater surveillance epidemiology team as well as with external collaborators including the CDC, local health departments, and academic researchers. This position will also support other jurisdictions engaged in wastewater surveillance by providing training and sharing of knowledge, including through documents, presentations, and workshops.

The salary range for this position is $77,112 - $114,840 annually depending on experience/qualifications. 

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist with the development, validation, and optimization of molecular detection methods.
• Apply NGS protocols for genomic characterization of viral pathogen targets (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B, RSV, Mpox among others).
• Perform molecular scientific studies on viral pathogens using dPCR or ddPCR methods in collaboration with other research scientists.
• Experience in working with microorganisms, exercise standard precautions, and be very experienced with PCR-based methods.
• Work as part of a larger laboratory team and with external partners (e.g., CDC, academic researchers) to develop and implement new workflows, molecular assays, and analyses for genomic characterization of viral pathogens.
• Adhere and contribute to quality assurance and quality control protocols and standards.
• Assist with scientific writing tasks such as developing SOPs, quality manual, scientific reports, validation summaries, posters, and manuscripts.
• Maintain organized and detailed laboratory records of experiments, samples, and reagents.
• Stay updated with the latest scientific advancements in wastewater analysis and molecular testing.
• Contribute to laboratory advancement and knowledge sharing by assisting with scientific presentations, abstracts, and manuscripts preparation.
• Assist in organizing training workshops, developing training materials, training other laboratory personnel, and participating in scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Provide guidance and direction to other laboratory personnel.
• Fulfill other duties related to wastewater pathogen surveillance as assigned.

 JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in a biological science or a related field with a minimum of 2 years microbiological or molecular biology laboratory experience OR a bachelor's and master's degree in a biological science or related field with 1-2 years microbiological laboratory experience.
• A comprehensive understanding of molecular biology, microbiology and aseptic techniques.
• Apply safe lab practices and experience working in a BSL2 environment.
• Experience with laboratory documentation and reporting.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with standard precautions and procedures for working with environmental samples containing pathogens, particularly wastewater samples.
• Ability to summarize data and report on scientific experiments while maintaining careful attention to detail, safety, and good laboratory practices.
• Strong communication skills, self-motivation, and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with cross-functional and diverse teams.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and planning skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, and required experience with Excel.
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to help streamline sample accessioning, testing, data consolidation and transmission will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity working with primer 3 plus, Geneious software is highly desirable.

Education/Experience

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with course work in microbiology, and molecular biology or related field and a minimum of two years microbiological or molecular biology laboratory experience OR
• Possession of a bachelor's and master's degree from an accredited university with course work in microbiology, and molecular biology with 1-2 years microbiological laboratory experience.

Certificates/Licenses

• CA Public Health Microbiologist Certification is preferred, but not required.

 Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams; WebEx, GraphPad Prism, BioRad QuantaSoft, CFX96 or other PCR software applications)
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally
• Ability to work independently and adapt to varied work settings
• Ability to work effectively with a team of diverse individuals

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Frequently
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• See (Vision): Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

KEY 

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day) 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

General office and laboratory setting, indoors, temperature controlled. 

This position is based in Richmond, California.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

See job description