Microbiologist

Microbiologists

Eagle Health Analytics has contracted with CDC's Mycotic Diseases Branch to provide scientific support and services for laboratory, communication and epidemiology within the Mycotic Diseases Branch. The overall objective is to provide laboratory, epidemiology, public health, and communication support to the branch as it strives to detect and respond to mycotic diseases and provide technical assistance to the United States jurisdictions.

EHA will provide laboratory staff to support high-complexity fungal culture, microscopy, phenotypic and molecular identification of yeasts and molds, antifungal susceptibility testing, molecular and serologic testing, NGS workflow support, LIMS documentation, dataset extraction, SOP drafting/revision, and CLIA-related verification activities.

Laboratory performance will follow a receive - test - document - verify - communicate workflow:

1. Receive and accession specimens and isolates in accordance with CDC procedures and authorized systems, including LIMS documentation and chain-of-custody or specimen tracking practices as directed by the laboratory.
2. Perform assigned fungal culture, microscopy, MALDI-TOF or equivalent identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, DNA extraction, PCR/RT-PCR, Sanger sequencing, gel electrophoresis, serology, and NGS preparation or support activities within each staff member's training and authorization.
3. Document methods, batch records, instrument outputs, quality indicators, anomalies, and data edits in the appropriate laboratory systems and shared folders.
4. Review results for completeness and consistency before release to Government technical leads or entry into downstream surveillance, outbreak, or reporting workflows.
5. Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, outbreak discussions, laboratory studies, method verification, SOP revision, and written technical summaries as directed by CDC.

The laboratory team will maintain BSL-2 and BSL-3 safety expectations by completing required CDC training and competency requirements before performing restricted work.

Qualifications:

a. One year of specialized experience equivalent performing high-complexity microbiological testing in a clinical or public health laboratory.

b. Minimum of 3–5 years of laboratory experience in fungal identification and molecular diagnostics.

c. Experience performing fungal culture, microscopy, and antifungal susceptibility testing.

d. Experience with molecular methods including DNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, and Sanger sequencing.

e. Experience operating automated identification systems (e.g., MALDI-TOF).

f. Experience supporting routine NGS sequencing and performing basic bioinformatic analysis using established tools or pipelines.

g. Experience working in a BSL-3 laboratory environment and supporting compliance with BSL-3 safety and operational requirements.

h. Experience documenting laboratory testing in a LIMS.

i. Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot laboratory assays and instrumentation.

j. Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

EHA offers a competitive benefits package to include: paid holidays, paid time off including sick and vacation leave, medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, short and long term disability, company paid life insurance, 401(k) with a company match and discretionary profit sharing and tuition reimbursement.