Laboratory Test Develop Specialist - Micro/Molecular Lab

Conducts the experiments/tests required to develop optimize validate and implement laboratory assays for patient clinical testing. This also includes educating and training the staff on the newly developed assays and supporting direct patient testing as needed. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively across functional disciplines and under tight deadlines with minimal supervision. All activities must be conducted in compliance with CLIA and all other clinical laboratory regulatory requirements. Having someone dedicated in this role also allowed UVA to continue expanding the infectious disease testing menu to deal with additional COVID and non-COVID related testing needs. In summary, it is critically important to have someone dedicated to infectious disease test development, as it requires significant attention to detail to quickly validate and implement tests, so UVA can appropriately support their patient population, their community, and the Commonwealth as a whole.

• Maintain positive relationships with relevant managers/directors/vendors.

• Provides technical guidance instruction and consultation to faculty, students, and staff members.

• Develop, optimize, validate, and implement assays for patient clinical testing.

• Maintains proper inventories and correctly uses supplies and reagents.

• Monitors equipment performance; diagnoses, malfunctions, and makes repairs or initiates service requests.

• Performs Quality Control (QC) and complex patient testing; develops skills and maintains competency in routine “specials” and assigned laboratory areas.

• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Position Compensation Range: $27.29 - $43.66 Hourly

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s of Science Degree required.  Master’s Degree or PhD. preferred. Degree must be in a molecular biology, biochemistry or genetics discipline.

Experience: Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree - 5 years of laboratory experience required, preferably in a clinical laboratory. PhD Degree - 2 years of laboratory experience required. Prior experience with molecular platforms (e.g. mass spec, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, Next generation sequencing) along with a working knowledge of laboratory equipment.  Previous experience in clinical assay development is preferred. 

Licensure: None required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20lbs. This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

Conducts the experiments/tests required to develop optimize validate and implement laboratory assays for patient clinical testing. This also includes educating and training the staff on the newly developed assays and supporting direct patient testing as needed. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively across functional disciplines and under tight deadlines with minimal supervision. All activities must be conducted in compliance with CLIA and all other clinical laboratory regulatory requirements. Having someone dedicated in this role also allowed UVA to continue expanding the infectious disease testing menu to deal with additional COVID and non-COVID related testing needs. In summary, it is critically important to have someone dedicated to infectious disease test development, as it requires significant attention to detail to quickly validate and implement tests, so UVA can appropriately support their patient population, their community, and the Commonwealth as a whole.

• Maintain positive relationships with relevant managers/directors/vendors.

• Provides technical guidance instruction and consultation to faculty, students, and staff members.

• Develop, optimize, validate, and implement assays for patient clinical testing.

• Maintains proper inventories and correctly uses supplies and reagents.

• Monitors equipment performance; diagnoses, malfunctions, and makes repairs or initiates service requests.

• Performs Quality Control (QC) and complex patient testing; develops skills and maintains competency in routine “specials” and assigned laboratory areas.

• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Position Compensation Range: $27.29 - $43.66 Hourly

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s of Science Degree required.  Master’s Degree or PhD. preferred. Degree must be in a molecular biology, biochemistry or genetics discipline.

Experience: Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree - 5 years of laboratory experience required, preferably in a clinical laboratory. PhD Degree - 2 years of laboratory experience required. Prior experience with molecular platforms (e.g. mass spec, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, Next generation sequencing) along with a working knowledge of laboratory equipment.  Previous experience in clinical assay development is preferred. 

Licensure: None required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20lbs. This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.