Research Specialist B/C

Job Description

This position provides the PADLS (Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System) - New Bolton Center Microbiology Laboratory with technical service in the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Plan laboratory as well as in the Clinical Microbiology and Mammalian Serology Sections. Food and environmental microbiological testing and serological assays are performed. Assistance with the day-to-day laboratory operations including maintenance of departmental quality assurance plans, inventory control, media and reagent preparation, and data entry is expected in order to provide accurate test results to the clients and maintain AAVLD and LAAF accreditation. Good interpersonal skills are needed to communicate effectively with faculty, staff and clients, both orally and in written format. Hours are 8 am- 5 pm, Monday thru Friday, with occasional weekend coverage. Sporadic courier coverage for samples from the Manheim Field Office is required. Employee must have a driver’s license and a vehicle as there is no public transportation to this site.

This position is located in Kennett Square, PA (Chester County), where there is no public transportation. You must have your own transportation.

The Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program Laboratory at the New Bolton Center (Kennett Square, PA) requires a full-time laboratory technician with skills in microbiology and serology to work in a DIAGNOSTIC setting. Duties include food and environmental cultures, serological assays, media preparation, quality control/quality assurance, compliance with PEQAP, FDA, AAVLD, NPIP, SQF, and LAAF-regulated programs, and maintenance of accreditation status.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform routine culture isolations for Salmonella species in egg, food, fecal, and environmental samples, including but not limited to: set up, identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, serological testing, serotyping, and proficiency testing
• Data entry, results reporting, client communications, and program compliance for PEQAP, FDA, SQF, NPIP, and LAAF
• Maintain quality assurance/quality control programs in compliance with accreditation requirements
• Perform diagnostic serological testing, including agar gel immunoassay, plate agglutination assay, and ELISA testing
• Inventory control and media preparation
• Perform additional duties as needed, including assisting with research projects, test validation, and back-up courier coverage

This position is contingent upon grant funding.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in microbiology or a related discipline, is required. 3-5 years of post-graduate/post-certification experience is preferred. Experience with high-throughput testing is desired. Candidates should be well organized and able to handle multiple, varied, ongoing tasks. A valid driver’s license is also required.

Research Specialist B
Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Research Specialist C
Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.