Senior Research Associate

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  Experimental Design and Innovation: Develop and implement new laboratory protocols to collect microbiome/metagenomic, gene expression, bulk and single-cell transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data; conduct in vitro studies, including utilizing in-house nasal organoid model to study nasal bacteria associated with inflammation and potential live biotherapeutic candidates.
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  Sample Analysis Workflow Management: Manage the workflow of large-scale microbiome studies, including sample tracking, nucleic acid isolation (DNA/RNA), preparation of sequencing libraries, and other downstream analyses including qPCR/RT-qPCR, ELISA, and bacterial culturing.
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  Data Analysis and Collaboration: Conduct reproducible analyses of microbial genomic, microbiome, and epidemiologic data; work closely with bioinformaticists and epidemiologists to characterize how microbiome composition, strain diversity, and gene function is associated with outcomes of interest, such as colonization patterns, immune responses, and clinical outcomes
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  Laboratory Leadership: Manage general lab activities, including inventory, equipment maintenance, and safety; supervise and mentor MPH students and other laboratory trainees.
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  Scientific Communication: Collaborate with senior investigators and senior scientists with the preparation of grant applications, high-impact manuscripts, and professional presentations.
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  Strategic Support: Support study coordination functions, including Biosafety protocol, CDC permit applications, sample receiving and transfer, and grant reporting under the guidance of senior investigators and senior scientists

• Master's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Chemistry, Public Health, discipline plus 3 years of biomedical, microbiome, molecular epidemiology, or public health research is preferred.
• 3+ years of hands-on laboratory research and/or data analysis experience in an academic, government, or industry setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Extensive experience with sample collection, processing, and quality control for microbiome, metagenomic, and transcriptomic studies, including bulk and/or single-cell workflows.
• Strong background in nucleic acid extraction (DNA/RNA), PCR/RT-PCR, and molecular assay development and optimization.
• Experience performing ELISA and other protein-based assays.
• Familiarity with or strong interest in learning advanced in vitro model systems, including organoid-based platforms for host-microbe interaction studies.
• Strong background in classical and molecular microbiology, including bacterial isolation, culturing, characterization, and functional analysis.
• Experience designing and executing in vitro experiments to assess microbial function, host responses, inflammation, or probiotic/biotherapeutic potential.
• Knowledge of biosafety practices relevant to handling clinical, environmental, or microbial samples.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or grant applications
• Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills, including managing laboratory workflows and mentoring students or junior trainees.
• Motivation to engage in mission-driven, translational microbiome research addressing public health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance.

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?