Microbiology Research Scientist – Mass General Brigham

Title of the Job: Microbiology Research Scientist

Location: Boston, MA

Job Description: The Massachusetts Host-Microbiome Center supports basic-science and human studies defining how our colonizing microbes affect health and disease. The research scientist microbiologist supports the research programs in the MHMC. Active Center projects investigate functions of microbes and microbial metabolism in host physiology, including modulating immune responses, metabolic syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, and resistance to infectious agents. The Center also supports a multi-institutional program in genomic pathogen surveillance to counter multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and inform area hospital infection control teams to halt spread of agents including MRSA, drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and C. difficileExample publications from Center projects are below –The candidate will manage workflows involving microbiologic testing and research-focused microbiologic analyses including quantitation of anaerobes from primary samples, and preparation of materials for microbial genomic, RNA sequencing, or 16S rRNA gene phylotyping or metagenomic analyses. The position will also take leadership on validating and optimizing new workflows and suggesting improvements for microbiology- and NGS-based analyses, and will also be involved in coordinating project plans with Center faculty and users of microbiologic platforms. Candidates will also have opportunity to prepare materials for publication with co-authorship.Successful candidates must have good organizational, critical thinking, and communication skills, capacity to work effectively within a team environment, and on projects with defined timelines. Candidates must have at least 2 years of prior microbiology experience, that includes at least 1 year of experience with NGS workflows. The position offers the opportunity to work with internationally-renown scientists on sequencing applications to inform infection prevention efforts in healthcare settings, and on the development microbiota-informed therapies for human disease.Representative publications:· In vivo commensal control of C. difficile virulence. Cell Host and Microb. 2021.· Genomic drivers of multi-drug resistant Shigella affecting vulnerable patient populations in the US and abroad. mBio 2021.· Genomic determination of relative risks of C. difficile infection from asymptomatic carriage in ICU patients. Clin Infect Dis 2020.· Microbiota therapy acts via a regulatory T cell MyD88/RORgt pathway to suppress food allergy. Nature Medicine 2019.To apply, please submit the following:1. A cover letter responsive to this posting describing your training, skills relevant to the position, and career goals2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)QualificationsPrincipal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality services internal clients/investigators, and external users. Ensure close coordination with clients for requested analyses and to optimize workflows to fit their needs.

• Perform molecular and microbiologic-based analyses, including methods using culture, DNA/RNA isolations, PCR, or next generation sequencing.

• Handle primary samples and isolates with appropriate sterile technique, and conditions for growth, including under anaerobic conditions in an anaerobic chamber.

• Oversee and work with other Center staff on pre-analytic processes to prepare materials, including for nucleic acid extractions and library prep.

• Follow appropriate SOPs for handling of samples and performing testing.

• Work with Center technical director and project management staff to monitor timelines for analyses and results.

• Monitor performance of supporting equipment including extractors, liquid handlers, and short, and long read sequencers.

• Maintain high quality in technical work including following lab procedures, documenting, and assessing quality control parameters from analyses, maintaining accurate information in lab archive, compiling data and analyzing results into comprehensive and usable forms, LIMS and project management software.

• Work with bioinformatics personnel to evaluate quality of sequencing runs and use of sequencing data for downstream analyses handled by computational teams.

• Coordinate data transfers with end users and other Center personnel.

• Oversee platform and testing improvements and optimization

• Assist in preparation of materials for publications.

• Assist in the orientation and training of other employees in laboratory procedures.

Qualifications and skills:

• Masters or PhD in a biomedical or quantitative science; at least 3 years of prior experience working in microbiology and with next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches to analyze bacterial genomes and/or microbiome signatures.

• Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Excellent computer skills with word processing, presentation and spreadsheet programs

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Familiarity with project management software, including Smartsheets, a plus to monitor project timelines and aggregate sample runs, else training will be provided.

Company Name: Mass General Brigham

Salary:

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