The position of Junior Specialist provides technical or specialized expertise in the planning and execution of research projects in a Biosafety Level II Laboratory. The Junior Specialist stays apprised of the research area and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. The role of this position is to provide specialized expertise in microbial food safety research projects of the laboratory of the Principal Investigators Dr. Linda J. Harris and Erin DiCaprio. The Junior Specialist is actively and significantly engaged in research involving isolation and characterization of foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and norovirus) from environmental and food samples as part of a project that seeks to understand the prevalence, distribution, and survival of foodborne pathogens in the produce growing environment and in harvested products. The Junior Specialist is responsible for setting up and executing experiments and conducting quality control and data management procedures. The Junior Specialist will have the opportunity to have creative input into the design of and selection of experiments to meet the study objectives. They will also assist with routine day-to-day lab duties including lab safety duties, supplies acquisition, and will lead undergraduate assistants.
