Microbiologist I

Summary:

Seeking a Microbiologist I to support investigators performing scientific research that depicts growing conditions of covered produce (as defined on the Produce Safety Rule) and their interaction with human pathogens of concern, such as E coli 0157H7 and other pathogenic bacteria species that represent an on-going threat to public health due to consumption of contaminated fresh produce.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist in the development and standardization of methods to detect and characterize bacterial pathogens from plant and soil environments.
• Evaluating the broad areas of molecular microbiology, microbial population (microbiome), and genomics/metagenomics.
• Growth Chamber Set up-shall conduct experiments in controlled environments using plant growth chambers to monitor the survival and growth of E. coli, from soil, biological soil amendments (e.g., Heat treated poultry pellet (HTPP), water, and produce samples grown in the chambers.
• Bacteria isolation detection-perform isolation and detection of bacteria from plant, water, soil and soil amendments. This shall include media preparation and plates, inoculations studies and serial dilution techniques. This shall include development and standardization of all methods to be used in the research.
• DNA extraction and molecular detection-shall assist and be trained to perform DNA extractions from plants, soil and soil amendments and perform real-time PCR (qPCR) assays and analysis.
• Microbial community studies-assist and be trained to perform metabolic profile studies and analysis of microbial communities in plants, soil and soil amendments using the Biolog instrument.
• Sequencing and metagenomics-shall assist and be trained to perform genomic sequencing/metagenomics and analysis of microbial communities in plants, soil and soil amendments.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Must have working knowledge of working with soil, plants and watering systems.
• Must have a working knowledge of real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), bacteria media preparation and plates, DNA extractions, clean up, and next generation sequencing.
• Must have working knowledge of experiments with bacteria in water, plants, soils, and soil amendments.
• Skill in planning and carrying out complex assignments requiring input and cooperation from diverse groups.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written skills in English

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS. in horticultural, agricultural related sciences, microbiology or molecular Sciences as it relates to plants.
• Must have experience working with Growth Chambers.
• Must have experience and/or working knowledge of detection and characterization of pathogens, such as E. coli, from complex matrices such as soil, soil amendment and plants.

Pay and Benefits

The salary for this position is a maximum of $60,000 annually.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.