Microbiologist V

Seneca Federal Health, LLC (SFH) provides solutions to federal health agencies that enable better health outcomes to those our federal customers serve. SFH is part of the Seneca Nation Group (SNG) portfolio of companies. SNG is Seneca Holdings’ federal government contracting business that meets mission-critical needs of federal civilian, defense, and intelligence community customers. Our portfolio comprises multiple subsidiaries that participate in the Small Business Administration 8(a) program. To learn more about SNG, visit the website and follow us on LinkedIn.

Our team of talented individuals is what makes us successful. To support our team, we provide a balanced mix of benefits and programs. Your total rewards package includes competitive pay, benefits, and perks, flexible work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and performance and recognition programs. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability, voluntary benefit programs (critical illness, hospital, and accident), health savings and flexible spending accounts, and retirement 401K plan. One of our fundamental principles is to offer competitive health and welfare benefits to our team members, providing coverage and care for you and your family. Full-time employees working at least 30 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefits and paid leave programs.  We pride ourselves on our collaborative work environment and culture, which embraces our mission of providing financial and non-financial benefits back to the members of the Seneca Nation.

Seneca Federal Health is seeking a Microbiologist V in Atlanta, GA. The Microbiologist V will assist in the laboratory identification of respiratory pathogens and participate in the development and optimization of molecular-based diagnostics, including some advanced technologies. The successful candidate will be assigned to CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Bacterial Diseases (DBD), Pneumonia and Streptococcus Laboratory Branch (PSL) to provide laboratory support services.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Track trends, etiologies, and strain characteristics for invasive streptococcal infections including resistant infections.
• Use multiple state-of-the art techniques to help characterize and track episodes of Streptococcal disease.
• Coordinate with PSL Streptococcus laboratory staff to collect data from collaborators in multiple states working with Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs).
• Deliver service support to ongoing projects and programs, including coordinating work conducted in CDC's ABCs sites, evaluation and analysis of data from ABCs and other domestic and global surveillance and research projects to evaluate effectiveness of interventions to control invasive streptococcal diseases.
• All streptococcal isolates from national invasive disease surveillance (estimated to currently be about 10,000 per year) through ABCs shall be subjected to genomic sequencing which will identify serotypes, resistance phenotypes and sequence types employing Streptococcus Laboratory protocols for all tasks. The contractor shall prepare genomic libraries for sequencing on the Illumina platform using manual techniques and robotic instrumentation. The contractor shall also operate the Illumina MiSeq in the generation of the raw genomic data.
• Facilitate publication of manuscripts and online reports that inform the public health field on the status of population-based invasive streptococcal disease surveillance and state of the art strain characterization.
• Conduct whole genome sequence-based typing (predicting serotypes, emm types, antimicrobial susceptibility) of specific isolate sets as directed by Lab supervisor in support of not only ABCs, but to assist state labs and other partners in resolving outbreak strains or potential vaccine-escape strains.
• Produce reports of ABCs data completeness and quality every 2 months.
• Participate in meetings with ABCs surveillance Epi and Laboratory teams.
• Maintenance of multiple state-of-the-art equipment for whole genome sequencing.
• Perform inventory of Streptococcal genomic DNA and update whole genome sequencing workflow tracking library preparation and sequencing status.
• Contractor maintains reagent inventory and consumables for whole genome sequence-based typing of Streptococcal isolates. Provides updates to Lab supervisor when inventory needs replenishing.
• Assist CDC scientists in support of studies and projects in global settings.
• Process genomic DNA of bacterial samples for whole genome sequencing from countries outside of the USA received by Streptococcus laboratory.
• Provides support for emergency response support as relevant to the scope of work.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident or have authorization for employment in the United States.
• MS degree in Life Sciences to include Biology, Microbiology, or closely related field; or combination of BS degree with work experience in Biology, Microbiology, or closely related field.
• Experience running real-time PCR assays, cell culture, and/or serology.
• Assay development experience.
• Practical knowledge of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) procedures in a regulated facility.
• Proficiency with general molecular biology practices.
• Proficiency with MS Excel, Word, and DNA analysis software.
• Proficiency with common laboratory practices within a microbiology laboratory, including real-time PCR platforms, a variety of nucleic acid automated systems, isolation and culturing techniques, complex data analysis and interpretation, in addition to understanding and adhering to strict laboratory safety standards and laboratory practices.
• Collaboration with scientists in diverse research, development, and production laboratories.
• Knowledge and ability to follow all outlined approved CDC Biosafety guidelines in the performance of assigned duties.
• The candidate must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting next-generation sequencing.
• Experience working with respiratory pathogenic bacteria.
• Knowledge of CDC laboratory policy, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining the flexibility to respond to the needs of the laboratory team.

Equal Opportunity Statement:
Seneca Holdings provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, genetic information and/or predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, veteran status, or other protected class status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training. The Company also prohibits retaliation against any employee who exercises his or her rights under applicable anti-discrimination laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does give hiring preference to Seneca or Native individuals. Veterans with expertise in these areas are highly encouraged to apply.