Laboratory Scientist (Medical)
RTI International’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Center program for Newborn Screening has an immediate opening for a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) performs laboratory procedures for the detection of over 40 inborn errors of metabolism and genetics (e.g. PKU, hypothyroidism, Galactosemia) in newborns. RTI International works in partnership with NCSLPH to implement new screening tests for rare genetic disorders. The position will work in facilities at the NCSLPH, under the direction of RTI investigators, and will be responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the testing, and complex analysis of molecular, immunologic, biologic, and chemical tests and their results.
The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of normal and abnormal physiology, correlation of laboratory data to specific disease, as well as extensive knowledge of instrumentation and individual test principles.
Please include a cover letter as the first page of your resume attachment when applying for the position.
Responsibilities
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize laboratory activities conducted as part of research and pilot projects.
- Confirm the accuracy of test results, and report laboratory findings to principal investigators and other researchers.
- Establish and monitor procedures to ensure data accuracy.
- Supervise lab technician personnel, providing training, guidance and pertinent technical information for their work.
- Monitor and be accountable for test data, quality control, quality assurance, preventive maintenance, and operations related to laboratory testing procedures.
- Consult with principal investigators and others on the technical aspects of methodologies used, appropriateness of test utilization, and interpretation of results.
- Help build and implement project design.
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, and meeting presentations.
- Perform and document required maintenance procedures as assigned; monitor inventory for proper levels, notifies person responsible for ordering, and receives and stores supplies when delivered.
- Observe all laboratory, NCSLPH and regulatory agency policies and procedures.
- Evaluate testing methods for rare genetic disorders.
- And other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Clinical or Medical Laboratory sciences with a minimum of three years of related experience.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent attention to details.
- Ability to manage competing tasks.
- Experience in a public health or medical laboratory using molecular biology techniques and analysis on human specimens.
- Experience with DNA extraction, nucleic acid amplification, and real-time PCR techniques.
- Knowledge of basic laboratory hazards and safety procedures.
- Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control protocols.
- Experience using LIMS systems.
- Experience writing standard operating procedures.
- Experience working in working in CLIA compliant laboratory.
- Ability to analyze technical data.
- Ability to work independently and with teams, and to establish and maintain good working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and clients.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
- National certification (ASCP) preferred.
- Experience with Sanger and/or Next Generation Sequencing
If interested, please apply at www.rti.org/job17603.
