Position Summary

The focus is on Borrelia spirochetes (Lyme disease and relapsing fever spirochetes) although other pathogens are studied as well. The person must have BSL-2 experience and good animal handling skills. The duties will include but are not limited to the following.

The person will be expected to perform research experiments overseen by Principal Investigator, yet the individual must be a self-starter with superb work ethics and strong analytical skills (the strong ability to work and learn independently). The person must also have the strong ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others. The individual must be highly detail-oriented, and have good written and oral communication skills. The person should have a strong ability to troubleshoot problems.

The work includes but is not limited to the following laboratory techniques: isolation of nucleic acids, quantitative PCR, Reverse Transcriptase-PCR, bacterial transformation, cloning, culturing and maintenance of bacterial strains, protein purification, western blotting, ELISA and other immunological techniques (e.g., antibody titration). The individual is expected to handle animals (e.g., mice) as well as ticks. The procedures will include but are not limited to animal challenge by various routes (e.g., i.v., i.p., tissue transplantation), euthanasia, tissue harvest from alive or euthanized animals, collecting and crashing ticks, maintaining tick and/or animal colonies if necessary. Besides basic computer skills, the person must be able to effectively learn, master, and utilize various software and online programs (e.g., MacVector, Geneious, Prism, Canvas, NCBI). The person will provide training and supervision to the laboratory personnel (e.g., students),

The person is expected to operate, calibrate and maintain laboratory/field instruments and equipment (e.g., (e.g., periodic calibration and clean ups of CO₂ incubators, pH meter, fridges, freezer) to ensure proper functioning, accuracy and compliance with written specifications. The person will also be responsible for ordering various laboratory supplies/equipment, animals, ticks, maintaining pertinent records (e.g., notebooks, freezer logs), developing and maintaining standard operation procedures (SOPs); and shipping hazardous materials.

The person may be responsible for ensuring that the laboratory personnel are up-to-date in terms of their required trainings; overseeing laboratory safety compliance (e.g., supervising hazardous wastes). The person may have to travel to get trained, and to go to conferences/meetings to present lab research projects.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in the specific field of research employment or other related science fields; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in standard laboratory procedures and safety requirements and performing analytical and research techniques in an area related to research being performed; may require software specific to the area of research; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The position may require special licensing or certificate in the field related to the area of employment.

Desired Qualifications

B.S. degree in relevant fields. Experience with most lab techniques listed above.

Experience with analyses and presentation of research data.

The ability to contribute to the experimental design.

The ability to independently and steadily update oneself with relevant research literature.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Names of 3 references that may be asked to write reference letters
• Proof of education and/or training (degrees, certifications, and/or school transcripts)

Special Instructions

You may contact Artem Rogovsky at rogovsky@msu.edu if you have any questions.

Work Hours

40-hours/week; exact hours may deviate from standard 8AM – 5PM as determined by experiments

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://cvm.msu.edu/pdi

Summary of Physical Demands

Be able to lift and move 60lbs.

Summary of Health Risks

BSL2 Environment

Bidding eligibility ends September 17, 2024 at 11:55 P.M.

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About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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