Assistant Research Professor

Available Title(s)

155-NN_FACULTY - Research Assistant Professor - Career

Business Title

Assistant Research Professor

Employee Type

Faculty ( ) (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Position Details

Summary of Duties:

This position provides experienced assistance for the CDC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant-funded partnership with WA PHL “Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence” (PGCoE) by assisting the Scientific Laboratory Manager, current Scientific Assistant, and the Principal Investigators of the project within the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) section of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. Duties include: networking with Washington Department of Health (DOH) Public Health Laboratory (PHL)/ CDC PGCoE / relevant animal health partners; assisting with the validation of PGCoE-developed pathogen surveillance paradigm, molecular and bioinformatic methods implemented into WADDL; participation in PHL led training events; development and maintenance of campus-based, WADDL-owned high-performance computing environment; curation of project next-generation sequencing (NGS) data; development of SOPs for NGS; analyzing experimental results and participating in preparing scientific information for publication. Adheres to standard operating procedures (SOP) and protocols within an accredited laboratory. Eligibility and understanding of BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines and work environment is required. This position will be expected to interface with team members of other NGS projects within WADDL including, but not limited to, the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) focused on NGS and surveillance test development for high consequence diseases in avian production, aquaculture and at the livestock-wildlife interface in the Pacific Northwest and multiple sequencing projects involving antimicrobial resistance.

Required Qualifications

• Positions require a PhD degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Physical eligibility required for working in BSL-2 and environments. See the following link for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/training/QuickLearns/biosafety/
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology at the college level.
• Demonstrated experience in Molecular Biosciences or Computational Biology field.
• One year laboratory experience
• Experimental and analytical skills; understanding and knowledge of research theory.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in: isolation of DNA and RNA from tissue and body fluids/samples; quality and quantity evaluation of extracted nucleic acids using capillary electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and fluorimetry; use of PCR in identification of microbial agents; library preparation and sample multiplexing for Next Generation Sequencing, using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Next-generation Sequencing Bioinformatics and a fundamental understanding of command line computing
• Familiarity with data visualization software and one or more of the following coding languages: Python, R, BASH, perl.
• Demonstrated knowledge of infectious diseases and experience working with zoonotic agents in appropriate biosafety levels.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including MS Office suite.
• Demonstrated publication record in the field of animal viral disease and bioinformatics
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  
  

Area Overview

The WSU CVM is organized into five departments/schools, including Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS), Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology (VMP), Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (IPN), the School of Molecular Biosciences (SMB), and the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health (SGH), each dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service (https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu )

Waddl

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is an American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accredited full-service unit integrated within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. The WADDL’s mission is to provide accurate, state-of-the-art, timely, and cost-effective diagnostic services, consultation, disease surveillance and outreach to safeguard animal health, the food supply, and public health. Further, WADDL contributes to the University and College of Veterinary Medicine through discovery, scholarly activity, and education. The WADDL is a USDA-APHIS National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Tier I Laboratory and is in the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network for investigation of food safety. The sections of WADDL include aquatic health, bacteriology, histopathology/ immunohistochemistry, immunodiagnostics (including serology, virology, and BSE testing), molecular diagnostics, next generation sequencing, necropsy, and parasitology along with a branch laboratory in Puyallup, WA focused on avian health and food safety.

University/Area

Washington State University is a land-grant institution with an enrollment of approximately 20,000 students on the Pullman campus and 30,000 students system-wide. There are eleven colleges offering 63 doctoral degree programs along with four professional degree programs (veterinary medicine, medicine, pharmacy, and business). The University of Idaho, also a land-grant university, is in Moscow, Idaho, 8 miles from the Pullman campus. These communities offer a friendly, small-town living environment and access to a rich assortment of cultural, recreational, and athletic attractions. Pullman has a four-season climate, clean air, good schools, affordable homes, and a low crime rate. Pullman (population 34,000) is about 75 miles south of Spokane, Washington, and lies close to recreational areas in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. To learn more about the Pullman community, visit: https://www.pullmanchamber.com. The university’s web page, https://www.wsu.edu, offers additional information about WSU and the surrounding area.

Area/College

Additional Information:

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department Name

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

City, State, Zip

Pullman, WA 99164-7034

Department Link

https://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu

Annual Salary

$65,000 - $85,000

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf.

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

FTE: 100%

Temporary End Date

This is a temporary position expected to end on September 29, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Posting Close Date

Applicants must submit their completed application by Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 11:59PM.

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions

Applicants must upload all required documents listed below to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications.

• External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
• All documents must be attached before submitting the application. The application cannot be edited once submitted.
• Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files.
• Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible.
• Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.
  
  

Required Documents

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of intent summarizing the candidate’s qualifications, interest in the position, experiences, and career goals
• Statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Names and contact information of three (3) professional references
  
  

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].