Biological Scientist

You will serve as a biological scientist within the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL).The key functions of the FADDL are the diagnosis of animal diseases foreign to the United States, the development and validation of diagnostic tests and reagents for foreign animal disease diagnosis, training and proficiency testing of state diagnostic laboratory personnel in diagnostic assays for exotic livestock diseases, generating and providing standards to be used in diagnostic assays.

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

Assists with the design, execution, interpretation and reporting of experiments and experimental data associated with development and validation of new or modified diagnostic assays.

Performs assays for the detection of antigens, nucleic acids and antibodies indicating the presence of a foreign animal disease.

Operates sophisticated laboratory equipment including thermocyclers, DNA sequencers, ultracentrifuges, flow cytometers, robotics equipment, and electrophoresis apparatus.

Maintains a current knowledge of the literature with particular focus on foreign and emerging animal diseases of livestock, including diagnostic testing, reagent production vaccine production, etc.

Maintains accurate records of select agent inventories.

Coordinates receipt and shipping of biological materials to support FADDL mission.

Maintains accurate records regarding developmental, testing, and quality control procedures performed.

Conducts Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Inventory activities.

Assists in the development of new technologies to support the FADDL mission.

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.