Mammalian Cell Culture Lab Specialist

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Mammalian Cell Culture Lab Specialist position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

What the EPA project is about

Within ORD, the Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling (CEMM) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to measure and model contaminants in the environment, including research to provide fundamental methods and models needed to implement environmental statutes. The methods and models developed by CEMM are typically applied at the airshed, watershed and ecosystem level.  Within CEMM, the Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division (WECD) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to characterize the presence, transport, transformation, sources, and impacts of contaminants in watersheds and ecological systems.

As a team member, you will provide technical laboratory support for research projects focusing on 1) development and testing of various methods for detection of viral indicators and pathogens from wastewater and 2) application of methods in real-world monitoring of viral pathogens in wastewater. The team member will work with other members of the WECD team and will assist the team with cell culture propagation of viruses for various projects within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Study (BILS) portfolio. Laboratory support will also assist with molecular support to include nucleic acid extraction/purification, PCR/qPCR/RT-qPCR, and next-generation sequencing library prep and data transfer as needed.

How you will apply your skills

Technical laboratory support responsibilities 

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Preparation of cell culture lines (mammalian and human)
• Preparation of viral media and supplements for analysis of bacteriophage and select viruses
• Nucleic acid extraction using a variety of commercial kits or other protocols supplied by the investigators
• Analysis of different viral and bacterial targets using (but not limited to) quantitative and real-time PCR (qPCR)
• Analysis of culturable viruses (indicators and pathogens) using variety of media formulations to identify and optimize viral cultivability.
• Preparation of samples for next-generation sequencing workflow to include nucleic acid quantitation, library prep, and data transfer for analysis.

Secondary Responsibilities:  

• Assist in preparation of Quality Assurance Project Plan and Standard Operating Procedures
• Assist in preparation of quarterly updates and reports
• Maintaining careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks.
• Maintaining inventory of supplies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Demonstrated experience of general laboratory techniques for cell culture and/or molecular techniques (i.e., knowledge of aseptic technique) as well as general laboratory safety practices;
• Demonstrated proficiency in mammalian culture techniques;
• Demonstrated proficiency in molecular techniques including nucleic acid extractions/purifications and real-time, quantitative PCR (qPCR);
• Working knowledge of next-generation sequencing library prep and data transfer;
• Working knowledge of bacterial culture techniques;
• Strong written, oral, and electronic communication skills; and
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).

Location:  This job will be located EPA’s facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $32.26 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin December 2024. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA.

For more information, contact EPANSSC@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a master’s degree in microbiology, biology, molecular biology, or a closely related field of study from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and
• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.