Pathotrak inc Hiring for Food-safety Microbiology Laboratory Technician at College Park, MD Full Time

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to perform routine microbiological analyses of food, water, and microbiological media samples for the presence and levels of specific bacteria including BL-2 level pathogens such as Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. This will include use of cultural (e.g., differential selective plating, enrichment), genotype-based identifications (e.g, PCR), and immunoseparation technologies (e.g., immunoseparation), (50% effort). This will also include other routine microbiological duties such as the preparation and sterilization of media and diluents (10% effort), assembly of equipment (20% effort), maintenance of stock cultures and preparation of inocula, the decontamination of spent media and equipment (10% effort), recording of results, and the preparation of s (10% effort).

The successful candidate will have a B.S./B.A. in microbiology, food microbiology, or a closely related field or an Associate’s degree with 3+ years of practical laboratory experience. Experience in standard methods in food safety microbiology (e.g., FDA/BAM, USDA/FSIS, AOAC, or ISO) is considered a plus. The candidate is expected to be familiar with the biosafety procedures consistent with working in a BL-1/BL-2 facility and will be expected to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, gloves) as appropriate.

The technician will use the above knowledge and skills to quantify and document the efficiency of our new technologies to separate pathogens from food as compared to the FDA approved traditional methods (BAM protocols). The experiments will include the inoculation of S. enterica and E.coli onto leafy greens and meats , and evaluation of the efficiency of extraction using our technologies as compared to traditional enrichment techniques. The level of the target bacteria will be assessed by growing the extracted pathogens on selective media and/or PCR. Different sampling strategies in leafy greens and meats will be evaluated to find the optimal one compatible with our technologies.

PATHOTRAK INC.

Pathotrak is a startup on a mission is to enable a world with fresher, safer food and make food outbreaks a thing of the past. Our approach is to eliminate food safety risks by delivering the right technologies at the right price: technologies that will save costs for producers, reduce time for food safety labs, and, most importantly, save lives.

We’re a small team and recently made history with AOAC certification of our 4x faster rapid foodborne pathogen enrichment kits. The right candidate would be excited about pushing the science further, creating new methodologies, and expanding the scope of matrices. The role offers the chance to be on a fast-paced, highly-skilled startup team with lots of visibility and plenty of opportunities to learn.

PRIMARY DUTIES

1.- Use of cultural (e.g., differential selective plating, enrichment), genotype-based identifications (e.g, PCR), and immunoseparation technologies (e.g., immunoseparation), (50% effort).

2.- Preparation and sterilization of media and diluents (10% effort),

3.- Assembly of equipment (20% effort),

4.- Maintenance of stock cultures and preparation of inocula, the decontamination of spent media and equipment (10% effort),

5.- Create protocols, guides, and tutorials, as well as train others

6.- Recording of results, and the preparation of s (10% effort).

7.- Some travel can be expected to train clients on our protocols.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: The successful candidate will have B.S./B.A. in microbiology, food microbiology, or a closely related field or an Associate’s degree with 3+ years of practical laboratory experience

EXPERIENCE: Experience in standard methods in food safety microbiology (e.g., FDA/BAM, USDA/FSIS, AOAC, or ISO) considered a plus.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: The candidate is expected to be familiar with the biosafety procedures consistent with working a BL-1/BL-2 facility, and will be expected to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, gloves) as appropriate.

BENEFITS: Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Employees in this job class may be required to work with biohazardous materials and to successfully complete applicable safety training.

Pathotrak Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a general policy, Pathotrak Inc. does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $57,000.00 – $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• College Park, MD 20742: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Have you ever isolated, cultured, and detected the presence/absence of Salmonella, EHEC, or Listeria using selective plates or PCR from a food or environmental sample?

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Bacterial Microbiology: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person