Description
Role:
Conducts research and development for 1) assessing the effects of physical, chemical and/or biological agents (singly or in combination) on aquatic organisms (emphasis on reef invertebrates and algae); 2) engages in research to elucidate molecular and physiological bottlenecks to coral reproduction in support of coral reef restoration and delisting of ESA species; and 3) research involving coral disease, diagnosis and treatment. Extensive experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, metagenomics, functional genomics, or related fields with an ability to troubleshoot any number of issues with different types of assays (e.g., microbiology, molecular and analytical chemistry) and different assay platforms is expected to be part of this work. The work requires the incumbent to design experiments, analyze the data and prepare written reports.
The work requires the incumbent to exhibit scholarship through the ability to search, read, and understand primary scientific literature and contribute in technical and scholarly aspects to discussions with the team lead or PI as part of establishing daily and long-term goals and objectives within each of the laboratory's projects. The incumbent is expected to work with the Program PI, display a high degree of initiative, independence and responsibility, while monitoring the day-to-day aspect of all ongoing projects in the laboratory, in essence serving as a first-line resource for the junior staff and students to assist in meeting project objectives in a timely manner while ensuring safe and efficient functioning of the laboratory. This includes managing the day-to-day operations, operating as part of a team for brainstorming and developing new projects, assisting in selection of appropriate or best assays to address the research questions at hand and helping troubleshoot issues as they arise.
The incumbent is expected to be highly organized with a keen ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects effectively, perceptive with attention to detail, and a passion for science.
Participate both technically and intellectually in the preparation of research proposals, presentations and make oral or poster presentations when appropriate; provide written reports of research findings; and assist in meeting annual end of the year accomplishments reporting requirements. The research is primarily laboratory based but does have a portion of work that involves field missions to investigate coral and environmental conditions at specific locations domestically and occasionally internationally. This requires the willingness to travel and coordinate field logistics (from experimental design to shipping). The incumbent will function as a member of an interdisciplinary research team to collaboratively develop projects, proposals, combining research analyses and developing reports and manuscripts.
Responsibilities:
• Determine and execute improved technologies and bioassays by applying scientific knowledge, techniques, instrumentation and methods necessary to achieve project goals.
• Plan and perform experiments, collect, record and analyze data
• Independently perform root cause analysis for method investigations
• Apply open-source and vendor-developed software for data analysis
• Draw inferences/conclusions from experimental data; document findings in the form of records and reports which may be used for presentations or publications; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Monitor team progress in achieving objectives to ensure quality standards and goals are met.
• Functions as a team member with other scientists both within and outside the agency or at other organizations in supporting discovery and applied biological research efforts.
• Assist the Program manager with oversight of the day-to-day routine laboratory operations; ensuring equipment is serviced and operational and the laboratory is safe and orderly. Assist in the design and implementation of laboratory protocols and practices, and in the training of new employees.
• This work requires occasional night, early morning and weekend duty to conduct extended duration experiments or to assist in the maintenance of the culture facility in the absence of assigned personnel. Emergency situations with storms and/or power outages also may require staff to assist others if coral facility staff is not available or additional help is needed.
• Willingness to travel for field operations nationally and occasionally internationally participating in field logistics and carrying out fieldwork to meet mission objectives.
• Keep accurate written records of all methods, procedures, and experimental results, document observations of unusual or abnormal appearance, and prepare data reports.
• Assist in ordering and maintaining laboratory supplies and equipment including chemicals, biological materials, liquid nitrogen, etc., as assigned by the team lead or PI.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objectives of the program.
Experience Requirements:
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in one of the biological sciences (at a minimum).
• At least 7 years of experience related to molecular biology, cellular biology, experimental design, and assay development.
• Knowledge and expertise in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, and/or related fields such as molecular microbiology, genomics, or toxicology.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience in at least two of the following areas:
o Molecular biology (i.e., isolation of genomic and cDNA clones, sequencing, genomic DNA mapping, PCR amplification, DNA and RNA preparation, qPCR, oligonucleotide and RNA fragments analysis)
o Microbiology (e.g., aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture, algal isolation and culture, conducting bacterial water quality analyses)
o Protein chemistry (e.g., MALDI-TOFMS, ELISA, HPLC, western Blot and SDS-PAGE); plant biotechnology (e.g., chlorophyll measurements, photosynthetic condition assays, plant cell culture)
o Environmental toxicology
o Diagnostic assay development
• Additional expertise in bioinformatics, genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics and/or proteomics is recommended but not required.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical applications.
• Reliability and the ability to learn quickly
• Problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communications
CSS is predominantly a Federal Contractor and is subject to following the terms of Executive Orders. CSS requires all Employees (Direct, Indirect, government, state, and commercial), including employees working from home/remotely, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption. Exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the CSS HR Department.
CSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer who provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetic information. In addition to federal law requirements, CSS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
