Biocontainment Lab Manager, Microbiology And Immunology

JOB DESCRIPTION:

As a Biocontainment Laboratory Manager the incumbent will independently conduct a variety of non-routine research assignments and experiments in a high containment facility including Biosafety Level (BSL)-3 and BSL-4. The incumbent will interface closely with UTMB Environmental Health and Safety, the UTMB Office of Research Compliance, and other UTMB administrative and research activities and Cores at a strategic level to develop policies, standard operating procedures, and to train personnel in the safe and efficient handling on in vitro and in vivo specimens under BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 containment conditions. The incumbent will also maintain knowledge of all US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policies regarding the handling of select agents. Importantly, the incumbent will be responsible for overseeing the inactivation and safe removal of specimens from BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment and assist the PI with the management of a large inventory of select agents.

Min Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or equivalent
• Five years of documented experience working in and training others to work in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories
• Five years of documented experience processing specimens from animals infected with highly hazardous viruses under BSL-4 biocontainment conditions to include hematology, clinical chemistry, and blood coagulation assays and troubleshooting clinical pathology equipment

• Five years of documented experience developing and executing PCR capabilities and analyses to include: quantitative PCR detection of numerous BSL-3 and BSL-4 viral strains, plasmid development for standard, primer/probe design and optimization and troubleshooting PCR equipment
• Five years of experience developing SOPs for the inactivation of select agents and overseeing the removal of inactivated select agents from BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment and inventory of inactivated samples

Specific Job Related Duties:

• Oversee training of junior staff at BSL-4 and daily activities at BSL-2 including collaboration on student/post doc project designs and data analyses.
• Work at BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 including both in vitro analyses, hematology / clinical pathology, and technical services including but not limited to tissue sampling, blood draws, anesthesia, injections, and assisting during necropsy at ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 containment.
• Development and execution of PCR capabilities and analyses to include but not limited to: quantitative PCR detection of numerous viral strains, plasmid development for standard, primer/probe design and optimization.
• Report writing for proposed projects, contracts and publications. Responsible for maintaining records of all tests performed and data collected, compiles, tabulates and provides analysis of data for reports as well as organization of data transfer to collaborators. Also, responsible for overseeing shipment of reagents and samples to collaborators.
• Works with PI to formulate research plans, coordinates project activities and establishes appropriate reporting procedures. Confers with PI regarding results obtained and receives suggestions for modification to procedures and/or interpretation of final data.
• Function as Lab Manager for PI. Responsible for ordering laboratory supplies and maintaining supply inventories. Also manage account spending/order status and ISC number procurement with various UTMB core labs.

Salary Range:

Commensurate with experience; 100% grant funded.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or equivalent
• Seven years of documented experience working in and training others to work in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories
• Seven years of documented experience processing specimens from animals infected with highly hazardous viruses under BSL-4 biocontainment conditions to include hematology, clinical chemistry, and blood coagulation assays and troubleshooting clinical pathology equipment
• Seven years of documented experience developing and executing PCR capabilities and analyses to include: quantitative PCR detection of numerous BSL-3 and BSL-4 viral strains, plasmid development for standard, primer/probe design and optimization and troubleshooting PCR equipment
• Seven years of experience developing SOPs for the inactivation of select agents and overseeing the removal of inactivated select agents from BSL-3 and BSL-4 containment and inventory of inactivated samples

Equal Employment Opportunity

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Associated topics: drug, food, medical, microbiological, nephrology, nutritionist, protein, toxicologist, vaccine, virus