Careers at Virginia Tech

The lab and research specialist will conduct growth experiments with pure cultures of strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea, employing serum and serum bottles, and analyze these cultures employing UV-visible spectroscopy, and construct plasmid vectors for use in the construction mutant and modified strains of methanogenic archaea, analyze methanogenic properties of bovine rumen samples, and isolate methanogenic archaea from rumen samples.

The Laboratory and Research Specialist will formulate and prepare growth media for cultivating strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea, cultivate these organisms on both soluble and gaseous substrates (hydrogen and carbon dioxide) in liquid (5-1,000 ml) and follow growth in liquid cultures by cell count as determined by use of a phase contrast microscope fitted with a Petroff-Hauser counter and optical density, perform UV-visible spectroscopy, perform molecular biology experiments (PCR, DNA purification, plasmid construction, transformation of E. coli), estimate the levels of proteins via chemical assays, and express heterologous proteins in E. coli and purify these to apparent homogeneity, perform bioinformatic analysis of DNA and protein sequences, and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Snapgene and performing literature search covering the research areas as described above. Experiences in using an anaerobic chamber and working with strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea are must.

B.S. Biochemistry or Microbiology or equivalent relevant experience and training; Research experience in the cultivation of strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea in liquid media with gaseous substrates, operation of anaerobic chamber and construction of plasmid vectors and their propagation in E. coli; 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 writing reports.

Experience in the cultivation of methanogenic archaea and purifying recombinant proteins from E. coli.

4

Restricted

26.00-28.00/hr.

09/27/2024

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

Dedicated to its motto, Ut 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 an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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