Senior Research Assistant, Microbiology and Molecular Epidemiology

$42,370 - $57,845/Yr

George Washington University - Washington, DC

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Washington, DC

Educational Services

About the position

The George Washington University, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health is seeking a Senior Research Assistant to join our molecular epidemiology and microbiome research group. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team on significant microbial genomic and epidemiologic projects. Our research focuses on quantifying the impact of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from environmental reservoirs, such as food animals and retail meat/poultry, on human health. Currently, we are engaged in a multi-year study aimed at assessing the effects of regulatory policy changes on the rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in retail meat and poultry, as well as human extraintestinal infections in California. A primary objective of this project is to quantify the contribution of bacteria from food animals to human clinical infections by characterizing the genetic relatedness of strains from both food and human sources. This involves isolating critical human pathogens from retail meat and poultry samples, conducting susceptibility testing, and performing molecular analyses, including real-time PCR assays and whole-genome sequencing. As a Senior Research Assistant, you will contribute to research and development by assisting with experiments in a controlled laboratory environment. Your core responsibilities will include designing and executing both culture-based and molecular biology experiments, performing established laboratory procedures, reporting results at meetings, and assisting with data collection and management. This role typically operates under immediate supervision, with day-to-day oversight provided by the laboratory manager while collaborating closely with the laboratory Principal Investigators (PIs) and other research team members. The initial appointment is for one year, with the potential for extension following successful completion of the first year.

Responsibilities

• Assist with laboratory research according to protocols, including sample processing, culturing bacteria, biomolecule isolation, and molecular analyses including PCR, real-time PCR, and whole genome and amplicon sequencing library preparation.
• Assist with sample and data collection for ongoing human microbiome studies, including recruitment, screening, consenting, clinical sample collection, and interactions with study subjects such as collecting survey data.
• Assist with the development and optimization of research protocols with assistance from PI and other laboratory staff, focusing on culture-based microbiology and laboratory automation using liquid-handling robots.
• Participate in general laboratory activities, such as inventory, equipment maintenance, and laboratory clean-up, and assist with the preparation of common laboratory reagents and media.
• Assist with data cleaning, entry, and data analysis under the guidance of PI.
• Assist with literature reviews and topic searches.
• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Qualified candidates will hold a BA/BS in a related discipline. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
• 1 year of experience in a related discipline.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in a science (i.e. biology, microbiology, chemistry, or other laboratory sciences) or a health-related field (e.g. public health) and one year of laboratory/research work experience.
• Molecular biology laboratory experience (e.g. DNA extraction and PCR).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Laboratory experience with bacterial cultures and real-time PCR and/or library preparation for next-generation DNA sequencing.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis (such as SAS, R, or STATA) and databases (such as REDCap).
• Experience operating liquid-handling robots, or with other laboratory automation.
• Prior experience in the preparation of reports and presentations.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated and able to multi-task, set priorities, work independently, and manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience in conducting research in BSL-2 setting.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling options
• Paid time off for volunteering activities