Research Technician, NEIDL ARC Service Center. National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab

The Arboviral Research Core (ARC) is a specialized research core within the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) at Boston University. The NEIDL ARC is seeking a highly motivated Research Specialist. The ARC supports the production, maintenance, and infection of arthropod vectors to study the mechanisms of pathogen transmission between vectors and hosts. Operating under Arthropod Containment Level 3 (ACL-3) the ARC conducts complex research that is critical to advancing the understanding of emerging infectious diseases. The successful candidate will participate in multiple projects involving both internal and external collaborators.

Responsibilities include:

• Independently conducting experiments using insect and mammalian cell culture systems, several mosquito species, and mouse models to investigate the transmission and acquisition of arboviruses.
• Maintaining accurate laboratory records, analyzing data, and contributing to internal reports, contracts, and project documentation.

Additional duties include:

• Maintaining laboratory and insectary operations in compliance with institutional operational, and biosafety requirements; ordering reagents and supplies.

Required Skills

• 4-6 years' experience and an associate or bachelor's degree 

  Virology Virus propagation and amplification
• Virus concentration by ultracentrifugation
• Viral quantification using plaque assays, TCID50 assays, and focus-forming assays
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR) Flow cytometry ELISA Molecular Biology
• Molecular cloning RNA interference techniques (siRNA and dsRNA) CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
• Insectary Operations Mosquito rearing and colony maintenance
• Mosquito injection and dissection
• Artificial mosquito feeding techniques
• The ideal candidate must be willing to work with RG-3 pathogens. NEIDL will provide the necessary training and mentorship required for work in BSL-3 containment.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases – whether they occur naturally or are introduced deliberately through bioterrorism. The NEIDL is dedicated to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition to Bio Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, the NEIDL houses BSL-4 laboratories that will operate at the highest level of containment. The NEIDL will add to the growing life sciences industry in the region, throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and across the country. 

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation: 

• Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

• Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of:

• Social Security Number;

• Academic credentials;

• Past employment;

• Licenses and credentials;

• Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check;

• RMV/DMV driving record, if required .

• Medical Clearance Process: includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.

• Training and Education: to be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL. 

Individuals seeking or required to have approval to work with Select Agents will be subject to the following additional requirements: 

• Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting: To be completed in accordance with CDC requirements as part of application to have access to Select Agents.

• Select Agent Use Approval: to be completed in accordance with all regulations including the requirements of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC ) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

Please note, any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access, is subject to 

• periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations

• periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, any applicable licenses, and verification of the successful completion of any required training at the facility

• Search of person, clothing and effects prior to entry into or egress from NEIDL 

When applicable, individuals will be required to maintain all applicable clearances and licenses and to disclose any changes in circumstances that could compromise access to the facility. 

Continued employment/ affiliation is contingent upon strict adherence, at all times , to all applicable safety and security rules, procedures, and protocols, as well as required training regimens.