Job Description:
San Diego State University Research Foundation


NIWC - Undergraduate III (Senior) - Biological Sensing and Detection Support (Task No 71-272434)

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2025-18361
Type: Student
# of Openings: 2
Category: Other
NIWC

Overview

This position is budgeted for $18.90 per hour and is non-negotiable.

This Statement of Work covers the need for the services of a college student to provide technical and/or analytical support in the field of biology (focus on environmental, microbiology, and molecular biology) for biological sensor test and evaluation research at the Naval Information Warfare Systems Center, Pacific (NIWC PAC). This work shall requireuse of both standardized and innovative laboratory-based test and evaluation procedures. The work shall be conducted in various chemical/biologic laboratories at NIWC PAC. The purpose of this task is to explore sensing and detection methods to enable field-forward detection and monitoring of bacteria in natural environments.

Responsibilities

NIWC PAC is involved in a variety ofresearch projects to ultimately support the U.S warfighter. One particular area of interest is detection and sensing within marine environments. Being able to sense hazards within the marine or aquatic environments allows personnel to assess risks and respond appropriately. Conventional biological detection approaches have specifically designed recognition elements in order to target particular analytes or properties of interest; require significant design, development, and testing; and require time-consuming sample preparation or detection processes. Field deployable methodologies must allow for rapid, near real-time assessment. The contractor shall be involved in the preparation of environmental and biological samples, characterization of these samples, performance of assays to detect gene or nucleic acid targets, data analysis, and general laboratory maintenance. The contractor shall also participate in planning meetings and conference calls with project collaborators. No human or animal testing is expected with this effort.

The contractor shall assist the work sponsor in:

• Conducting standardized and experimental sample characterization testing using standardized methods.
• Assisting with the preparation of environmental and biological samples.
  Sample characterization using optical measurements, molecular biology measurements, and biochemical assays.
• Performing data analysis of characterization data using Microsoft Excel, image analysis and software processing (Bio-Applications, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator), and other statistical packages.
• Maintaining laboratory facilities (i.e. washing glassware, upkeep oflaboratory equipment) and test organisms/cultures generated from the experiments of the environmental microbe sensing and characterization research.
• Conducting relevant literature searches pertaining to the studies and participating in report preparation for the environmental microbe and sensing Characterization Research.
• Monthly Status Reports and Bi-Weekly Time Reports shall be in accordance with basic contract CDRL.

Qualifications

Undergraduate Student 3: Must have course work in the discipline requested on the task order Statement of Work. The student must be at the Senior level and have experience in 100% of the task requirements and be able to accomplish 90% of the work independently.

Minimum Qualifications

• Majoring in Biology or microbiology (focus on Environmental or General Microbiology)

Required Course Work

• Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Environmental Biology

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with modem and classical approaches for cultivation of different groups of microorganisms.
• Experience with analytical tools including High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), Raman spectroscopy, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR), Cloning and transfection, flow cytometry.
• Gene-expression experience.
• Experience with microbial physiology.
• Experience working with pathogenic and semi pathogenic microbes.
• Familiarity with computers and data processing.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Additional Applicant Information

• This position will require the employee to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Due to the regulations established by the Department of Defense, only US Citizens may qualify
• This is a student position and is limited to working 20 hours per week
• This position will remain open until filled
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer.

PI259232673

Salary: $18.00

Apply Now