What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory and Research Specialist II position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
The Laboratory and Research Specialist will conduct growth experiments with pure cultures of strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea, employing serum tubes and serum bottles, and analyze these cultures employing UV-visible spectroscopy, light microscopy and protein assays.
The Laboratory and Research Specialist will formulate and prepare appropriate growth media and cultivate strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea in these media (5-100 mL) and follow their growth by cell count as determined by use of a phase contrast microscope fitted with a Petroff-Hauser counter and optical density. The Specialist will perform heterologous protein expression experiments with recombinant hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea and E. coli, estimate the levels of heterologous proteins expressed via SDS-PAGE and western blotting and purify these proteins to apparent homogeneity under aerobic and anaerobic conditions via affinity chromatography. Experiences in using an anaerobic chamber, working with strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea are must, estimation of protein, and use of a spectrophotometer are essential.
Required Qualifications
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, use of an anaerobic chamber, purification of heterologously expressed proteins to apparent homogeneity and analysis of proteins via SDS-PAGE, western blotting and protein assay, and demonstrated experience with data processing using Microsoft Excel, and writing reports.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in performing spectrophotometric assays for enzymatic activity.
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$26-$31/hr.
Hours per week
Avg. of 29 hours per week (not to exceed 1,500 hours May 1 - April 30)
Review Date
06/16/2026
Additional Information
Department is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Biswarup Mukhophadyay at bmukhopa@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
The Laboratory and Research Specialist will conduct growth experiments with pure cultures of strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea, employing serum tubes and serum bottles, and analyze these cultures employing UV-visible spectroscopy, light microscopy and protein assays.
The Laboratory and Research Specialist will formulate and prepare appropriate growth media and cultivate strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea in these media (5-100 mL) and follow their growth by cell count as determined by use of a phase contrast microscope fitted with a Petroff-Hauser counter and optical density. The Specialist will perform heterologous protein expression experiments with recombinant hyperthermophilic and mesophilic methanogenic archaea and E. coli, estimate the levels of heterologous proteins expressed via SDS-PAGE and western blotting and purify these proteins to apparent homogeneity under aerobic and anaerobic conditions via affinity chromatography. Experiences in using an anaerobic chamber, working with strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea are must, estimation of protein, and use of a spectrophotometer are essential.
Required Qualifications
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, use of an anaerobic chamber, purification of heterologously expressed proteins to apparent homogeneity and analysis of proteins via SDS-PAGE, western blotting and protein assay, and demonstrated experience with data processing using Microsoft Excel, and writing reports.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in performing spectrophotometric assays for enzymatic activity.
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$26-$31/hr.
Hours per week
Avg. of 29 hours per week (not to exceed 1,500 hours May 1 - April 30)
Review Date
06/16/2026
Additional Information
Department is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Biswarup Mukhophadyay at bmukhopa@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Salary : $26 - $31