Tag Archives: microbiology

U.S. Department of Energy Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Fellowship Program

The U.S. Department of Energy Carlsbad Field Office is now accepting applications for a one-year CBFO appointment (with possibility of extension) in the field of environmental microbiology.  This appointment will be located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center (university institute).

Typical laboratory activities will include a wide variety of microbial characterization and analytical techniques (e.g., PCR, ion chromatography, cell counting techniques, microscopy, anaerobic methods, cell plating, and sample preparations for gene sequencing).  Strong mentorship will be provided with the goal of developing research skills that contribute to publishable scientific results and prepare the CBFO Fellow for advanced studies.

The ideal candidate will have a BS or higher in microbiology, biology, or related degrees received within the last five years from an accredited U.S. institution and a strong desire to develop/apply their research skills. Strong analytical, research and communication skills are required.

Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen (no exceptions) and be available for a full-time commitment starting in June/July 2014.  Stipends are dependent on academic level, skills and experience. Additional allowances for round-trip travel to site may be provided.

Eligible candidates must apply by midnight EDT on Wednesday, May 21, 2014.  For more information, e-mail cbfo.fellowship@orise.orau.gov or visit their website at: http://orise.orau.gov/cbfo/applicants/applicants.html

Research Opportunity: Identification of HIV Reservoirs in people treated with potent antiretroviral therapies

Con­tact Name: James Mullins

Con­tact Email: jmullins[at]uw.edu

Depart­ment: Microbiology

Descrip­tion:

HIV persists in the body despite the application of highly potent therapies that reduce it to undetectable levels in the blood. Students will join an effort designed to identify the tissues in which these residual virus “reservoirs” are found. Students will join a vibrant laboratory focused on multiple basic research questions critical to current objectives in AIDS research. Each student will learn careful molecular biologic technologies and bioinformatics approaches to DNA sequence analysis. We prefer students to join in their Sophomore year, commit ~10 hrs/week during the academic year, and if all goes well, stay with us throughout their undergraduate careers.

Require­ments:

Biology 180 and 200. Chemistry 142/145

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NSF Summer Research Opportunity at University of Nevada – Las Vegas

The University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) REU Environmental Microbiology program is currently accepting applications. This NSF supported program provides students with an opportunity to perform independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor.  Participants receive a $5,000 stipend ($500 per week), travel subsidy and complimentary housing in a UNLV dormitory.  Program dates are May 27 to Aug 1, 2014.

Browse through the program’s list of mentors and start the online application at: http://faculty.unlv.edu/microreu/.The application deadline is Friday, February 14, 2014. Note that a complete application includes a one-page career essay, transcripts and one letter of recommendation.

For additional information, contact kurt.regner[at]unlv.edu.

Research Opportunity: Scientific Programmer

Con­tact Name: Thomas Sibley

Con­tact Email: trsibley[at]uw.edu

Depart­ment: Microbiology

Descrip­tion:

The Mullins Lab (http://mullinslab.microbiol.washington.edu) seeks a part-time student intern to assist with development of Viroverse, a scientific web application used for HIV research.  The lab uses Viroverse to manage clinical, experimental, and analytical data for a number of ongoing projects.

You’ll be working with the primary software engineer to tackle a range of tasks depending on your interests as well as your areas and levels of experience.  The goals of this internship are 1) to improve the application in identified areas and 2) for you to learn and gain experience from an in-production web service, working with real research data from wet-labs and clinics.  To gather feedback about changes and usage, you’ll interact directly with the scientists using the application day-to-day.

To ensure a useful and productive experience for everyone, nearly all work will need to be done in South Lake Union at the Rosen Building (960 Republican St).

To apply, please email your CV to Thomas Sibley with a brief description of your experience and interests, as well as a code sample (need not be Perl).

Require­ments:

Object-oriented, modern Perl should be a language you’ve used before, and at least a few of the following keywords should interest you and describe your experience if you apply for the internship:

* Modern Perl
– Catalyst
– Moose
– PSGI
* Javascript
* SQL / PostgreSQL
* Database quality control / reconciliation
* git
* Devops
* Full stack development
* Root-cause analysis
* Security vulnerability discovery and resolution
* Profiling and performance tuning
* UI / UX design

Familiarity with basic molecular biology concepts (PCR, sequencing, etc) and bioinformatics will be helpful but is not necessary.

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Research Opportunity: Human immune response to viral infections

Con­tact Name: David Koelle

Con­tact Email: viralimm[at]uw.edu

Depart­ment: Medicine

Descrip­tion:

Our lab studies the immune response to several viruses that infect humans including herpes simplex types 1 and 2, the chicken pox virus, and a cancer virus also. We are interested in vaccine development, figuring out why some people get severe disease, and also technology development in decoding the immune response at the cellular and molecular level.  We work primarily with T-cells rather than antibodies. The spectrum of modern molecular and cellular research methods such as cloning, sequencing, gene expression, flow cytometry, etc. are used; our lab is generally at the BSL-2 safety level as human samples and infectious pathogens are in use.  There are about 9 people including one undergrad in the lab now. The PI is a medical doctor.  We are interested in cultivating 1-2 undergrads who might possibly be interested in staying on 1-2 years as research technologists after graduation should everything work out. But someone headed straight to further schooling is fine too. Projects would likely involve molecular cloning as this has schedule-friendly workflows. We are located at South Lake Union, with a free shuttle every 20 min to UW. Grades, math skills, work ethic important.

Require­ments:

Senior, Junior or super Sophomore.  Organic lab.  Usual computer skills with programming a plus.  Decent grades. Interest in microbiology and immunology.  Some micro or immunology coursework a plus. Familiarity with bioinformatics or next-generation DNA sequencing would be a real plus; interest in taking coursework relevant to this area during the time period of the undergrad experience would be a good fit.  Students with a real interest in investigative medicine rather than “checking off the research box” for professional school entry are preferred although I certainly realize this is not black and white.

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Research Opportunity: Studies of the biology and pathogenesis of a bacterial carcinogen

Con­tact Name: Nina Salama

Con­tact Email: nsalama[at]fhcrc.org

Depart­ment: Microbiology

Descrip­tion:

The bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori chronically colonizes the stomach of 50% of the human population. While many remain asymptomatic, this infection is the major risk factor for development of ulcers and stomach cancer. The Salama is interested in the mechanisms by which this bacterium can establish and maintain a chronic infection in the unusual environment of the human stomach and the molecular cross talk between the host and the bacteria during the decades long infection. Current lab projects include studies on the cause and consequence of genetic variation during chronic infection and the molecular mechanism underlying this bacterium’s unique helical morphology.
We are presently seeking an undergraduate with a strong interest in microbiology and molecular biology and who is looking to gain experience working in a lab. Specifically, we are looking for someone to perform routine PCR, DNA sequencing and bacterial transformations. This person will also have the opportunity to assist and interact with all members of the lab and learn additional techniques. Over time and with experience, this person may be able to work on a dedicated project of their own. We are looking for someone available for ~10-15 hours each week. This is an unpaid position but is an outstanding opportunity to participate in engaging and important research.

Require­ments:

10-15 hours a week
Course work/familiarity in some of the following: molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry

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Research Opportunity: Gene Regulation in Staphylococcus aureus by the SrrAB Two-Component System

Con­tact Name: Traci Kinkel

Con­tact Email: tkinkel[at]uw.edu

Depart­ment: Microbiology

Descrip­tion:

This project is looking to investigate the role of reduced menaquinone as the signal for activation of the SrrAB two-component system in Staphylococcus aureus. This project involves bacterial physiology and metabolism as well as gene regulation. This project is complex and will require previous coursework (listed below) and dedication on the part of the student

Initial experiments will involve basic microbiology studies: MIC and growth-based assays and evolve into gene regulation: qRT-PCR, and some molecular biology: cloning and mutant making.

The student will work closely with a post-doctoral fellow in planning and carrying out the project experiments.

The student will gain valuable research experience and possibly contribute data to a peer-reviewed publication.

Ideally, the research completed by the student for this project would be presented at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium and could be used to for MicroM499 credit.

Require­ments:

Microm301/2 or higher and Chem142 or higher
Strong interest in Microbiology or Molecular Biology
Participation in Microm499 is suggested for at least one quarter.

Required lab time 5 hours a week initially increasing to 10 (possibly next quarter). In the beginning this project will require the student to be in the lab for 2-hour time blocks at least twice a week, with an occasional drop-in for less time (5-30 min). The time commitment will increase as the student gets settled with the project and we move on to more involved studies.

Suggested participation in UW Undergraduate Research Symposium.

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