Core Facility Sr. Research Specialist II (Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute within the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health seeks a full-time Core Facility Sr. Research Specialist II. This position will be situated within the JHMRI Core Insectary Facility under the direct supervision of facility director Dr. Conor McMeniman. The hire will work as part of a team and will be responsible for the mass production and quality control of mosquito colonies required to support JHMRI research operations, including downstream malaria parasite infection and mosquito transgenesis. This position will involve some light lifting, working in a warm and humid environment, and standing for prolonged periods while performing insect husbandry.

The Sr. Research Specialist II makes intellectual contributions in a specialized scientific laboratory or a core facility utilizing sophisticated instrumentation, e.g. flow cytometry, high throughput genetics, x-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, peptide synthesizer, high-performance liquid chromatography. The Sr. Research Specialist II uses specialized scientific knowledge and experience to make decisions, trains/guides other laboratory personnel, and provides simple to complex troubleshooting.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, design and manage specialized projects and/or instrumentation, and coordinates own objectives.
• Utilize specialized knowledge to set up and run sophisticated instrumentation and interpret results.
• Act as consultant to refine or adapt methodologies to fit research objectives.
• Collaborate in development of new protocols and uses of equipment.
• Advise investigators on experimental design and research methods.
• Co-author/author publications.
• Contribute original thoughts, hypotheses, and analysis to write reports, abstracts and manuscripts.
• Provide significant input to research design and data collection and interpretation based on advanced knowledge/ understanding of activity.
• Independently perform research assays specific to the research laboratory interests.
• Collaborate with other lab personnel, managers, and faculty investigators.
• Independently develop protocol and criteria.
• Make decisions regarding research projects that may require assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction.
• Consider resources and laboratory priorities when making decision.
• Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

• Mass rearing and handling of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes to support core facility operations.
• Protocol optimization for mosquito mass rearing.
• Small animal handling for mosquito colony maintenance.
• Support mosquito transgenesis activities using embryonic microinjection.
• Maintain facility operations in compliance with all institutional and USDA guidelines.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
• Five years of experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Master's Degree with related graduate research.

• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.

• Experience with husbandry of mosquitoes or other insects under ACL2 and/or ACL3 containment.

• Experience working with mice.

• Experience with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and/or aseptic technique.

• Some experience with standard molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, cloning).

• Some experience with insect transgenesis protocols (e.g. embryonic microinjection).

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Data Management and Analysis - Developing
• Experimental Design and Execution - Developing
• Laboratory Troubleshooting and Technical Problem Solving - Developing
• Project Management - Developing
• Protocol Development and Optimization - Developing
• Scientific Interpretation and Consultation - Developing
• Scientific Writing - Developing

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Sr. Research Specialist II 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Core Facility Sr. Research Specialist II (Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/ME  
Starting Salary Range: $66,215 - $116,130 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm and responding to lab alerts and facility emergencies during weekends, as needed. 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: School of Public Health  
Department name: W Harry Feinstone Dpt Molec Mblgy Imlgy   
Personnel area: School of Public Health