Laboratory and Research Manager

Job Description

The Laboratory and Research Manager will help to manage a research program led by the PI (Prof. Biswarup Mukhopadhyay) and a post-doctoral associate that involves the following: pure culture cultivation of strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria; design and construction of plasmid vectors; construction of mutant and modified strains of methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria utilizing the above mentioned vectors; purification of proteins from methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria; maintenance of key equipment such three anaerobic chambers anaerobic plating systems and tools for the cultivation of methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria; and training and supervision of undergraduate research students. The Laboratory and Research Manager will also perform experiments in all the above-mentioned areas as needed.

The technical areas of the above mentioned research program include the following: formulation and preparation of growth media for cultivating strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria on both soluble and gaseous substrates (hydrogen and carbon dioxide) in liquid media (5-1000 ml) in serum tubes and bottles; growth experiments employing the above mentioned growth media that will involves determining cell counts by use of a phase contrast microscope fitted with a Petroff-Hauser counter measuring optical density and protein content; UV-visible spectroscopy and molecular biology and microbial genetics experiments (PCR DNA purification plasmid construction transformation of E. coli and methanogenic archaea); bioinformatic analysis of DNA and protein sequences; use of Microsoft Office and DNA analysis software such as Snapgene and NEB Cutter and performing literature search covering the research areas as described above.

Managerial duties will be the following: planning and scheduling experiments in consultation with the PI post-doctoral associate and Virginia Tech and external collaborators; arrangement for the resources needed for the experiments some which may come from collaborators; development and distribution of the reports on the experimental outcomes; organizing meetings for the team members to analyze the outcomes and chart future course; helping the PI and post-doctoral associate in writing proposals.

Experiences in using an anaerobic chamber and working with strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria are must.

Required Qualifications

B.S. Biochemistry or Microbiology; or equivalent relevant experience and training; Research experience in the cultivation of strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea and anaerobic bacteria in liquid media with gaseous and soluble substrates operation of anaerobic chamber construction of plasmid vectors and their propagation in E. coli and transformation of methanogenic archaea; Demonstrated experience with the analysis of DNA sequences using software such as Snapgene and NEB Cutter; Demonstrated experience with data processing using Microsoft Excel and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office; Experience in supervising a team in an educational institution or industry.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in purifying recombinant proteins from E. coli and writing reports

Pay Band

5

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

32.00 - 35.00/hr.

Hours per week

Avg. of 29 hours per week (not to exceed 1500 hours May 1 - April 30)

Review Date

11/5/2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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