Research Assistant - DEPP

North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Hybrid - Raleigh, NC

5,001-10,000 employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Research Assistant position at the Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory at North Carolina State University is a full-time role focused on providing federal confirmatory diagnostics for regulatory plant pests and pathogens. The laboratory's mission includes developing and validating advanced molecular and serological detection methods, as well as proficiency test panels for plant pests that pose a threat to U.S. agriculture. The Research Assistant will work under the supervision of a team or project leader, contributing to various projects that involve the development and validation of molecular diagnostic assays for plant pathogens of regulatory concern. This role will also include evaluating new technologies for the detection and identification of these pathogens. The diagnostic technologies of interest for this position include PCR-based tests such as conventional PCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR, as well as isothermal assays like RPA, LAMP, and CRISPR. The Research Assistant will also engage in high throughput sequencing methods, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis, alongside developing methods for sample preparation and nucleic acid extraction. The methods developed will be utilized by federal regulatory surveillance and eradication programs, making this role critical to the laboratory's mission. In addition to technical responsibilities, the Research Assistant will provide support to staff scientists by preparing sample materials, conducting DNA/RNA extractions, running PCRs, and preparing libraries for high throughput sequencing. The incumbent will be responsible for meticulously recording experimental details and results in an official laboratory notebook, entering data into computer programs, writing data summary reports, and contributing to the drafting of validation reports and work instructions. General laboratory maintenance tasks will also be part of the role, including cleaning and maintaining glassware, preparing media and reagents, preparing agarose gels, restocking supplies, autoclaving, operating specialized equipment, and maintaining greenhouse plants. This position is based in Laurel, MD, and requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Responsibilities

• Support projects at the APHIS-PPQ-S&T Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory.
• Develop and validate molecular diagnostic assays for plant pathogens of regulatory concern.
• Evaluate new technologies for detection and identification of plant pathogens.
• Provide technical support to staff scientists in preparing sample material and conducting DNA/RNA extractions.
• Run PCRs and prepare libraries for high throughput sequencing.
• Record details and results of experiments in an official laboratory notebook.
• Enter data into computer programs and write data summary reports.
• Contribute to drafting validation reports and work instructions.
• Perform general laboratory maintenance tasks such as cleaning glassware and preparing media and reagents.
• Maintain greenhouse plants and operate specialized equipment.

Requirements

• Relevant Master's Degree or a Bachelor's Degree in Plant Pathology, Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or a closely allied field plus three (3) or more years of independent research experience.
• Experience working within a fast-paced, hybrid work environment.
• Documented experience in molecular biology techniques including genomic or plant DNA/RNA extraction, conventional and real-time PCR, and gel electrophoresis.

Nice-to-haves

• Attention to detail and knowledge of good laboratory practices.
• Familiarity with quality management systems.
• Excellent technical skills and ability to plan and follow planned activities independently.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.