Create a job alert for instant notification of new roles that fit your search criteriaResearch Analyst III - Research Support for Microbiological and Chemical Contaminants, Seafood Safety
Other Engineering, IT, Customer Service
Dauphin Island, AL, USA
Posted on Sep 30, 2026
Job Description
The mission of FDA HFP is to assure the safety and wholesomeness of regulated foods and
related products. DSST laboratories provide scientific support for Agency policy, regulation,
compliance programs, research, and outbreak investigations related to seafood safety. The
DFPST Proficiency Testing (PT) Laboratory, accredited under ISO/IEC 17043, serves as an
FDA-designated Proficiency Test Provider supporting analytical capability and capacity across
FDA, state, and local public health laboratories. The PT Laboratory conducts proficiency testing
exercises and supports validation and verification of microbiological and chemical analytical
methods through inter-laboratory studies and comparison exercises.
Requirements
The objective of this role is to provide support research, analytical method development, optimization
and validation, and outbreak investigations involving microbiological and chemical contaminants
in seafood.
• Perform molecular detection and/or characterization of viruses and other microorganisms
from seafood samples.
• Develop, optimize, and/or validate methods for identification of pathogens in seafood.
• Extract nucleic acid (RNA/DNA) templates from seafood samples for molecular analyses.
• Isolate and identify microorganisms from seafood samples.
• Document laboratory analyses and results.
• Analyze data and prepare project reports describing progress and work completed during
the applicable task-order year.
• Analyze data and prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Collect environmental samples as required.
Education: Master's degree in Biology or a related field (e.g., biological science, microbiology,
molecular biology, or biomedical sciences), with 3+ years of experience.
• Analyzing food and environmental samples for extraction and detection of viral pathogens.
• Using real-time PCR instrumentation.
• Using or understanding Sanger sequencing platforms.
• Developing, optimizing, and/or validating methods for the identification of pathogens in
seafood
• Applying aseptic techniques when performing molecular-based methods.
Benefits
- PPO/HMO Health Plan (includes medical, dental, and vision)
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)