Research Scientist 1

RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1, Center for Biomedical Innovation (CBI), part of the Sociotechnical Systems Research Center (SSRC), will support a J-WAFS seed grant to develop a lyophilized, single-tube, multiplex molecular diagnostic for rapid detection of waterborne viruses. Working with an interdisciplinary team, the Research Scientist will integrate reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) with programmable Argonaute nuclease detection to identify Norovirus and Hepatitis A virus in environmental water samples. Responsibilities include evaluating Argonaute nucleases; developing guide DNAs and RT-RPA primers; optimizing fluorescence and lateral-flow detection; formulating and testing lyophilized reaction pellets for ambient-temperature storage; and validating assay performance in surface water, agricultural runoff, and municipal water. The scientist will assess sensitivity, stability, time-to-result, and inter-user variability; maintain experimental documentation; communicate findings; and contribute to reports, presentations, and publications.