Research Analyst II - Research Support for Microbiological and Chemical Contaminants, Seafood Safety at Cognizance Technologies in Dauphin Island, Alabama, United States
- Company: Cognizance Technologies
- Location: Dauphin Island, Alabama, United States
- Posted: Sep 24, 2026
- Type: Full-time
- Experience: 5+ years
Overview
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
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.
Responsibilities
- • Developing molecular assays to detect and/or identify bacterial species in seafood samples.
- • Preparing DNA, RNA, and protein extractions for analyses.
- • Performing molecular analysis using real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, and/or nextgeneration sequencing.
- • Performing bioinformatics analysis of DNA sequence data.
- • Collecting and processing bacterial and eukaryal strains; assuring strain authenticity and
- taxonomic identity; and auditing strain inventories.
- • Preparing toxins from seafood and assaying samples using existing protocols.
- • Collecting environmental samples from marine environments.
Requirements
- assays
- Education: Associate's to Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology or a related field (e.g., molecular
- biology, microbiology, biology, or biochemistry), with 2-5 years of experience.
Skills
Required
- Molecular assays
- DNA, RNA, and protein extractions
- Real-time PCR
- Sanger sequencing
- Next-generation sequencing
- Bioinformatics analysis
- Bacterial and eukaryal strain handling
- Toxin preparation and assaying
- Environmental sampling
Benefits
- PPO/HMO Health Plan (includes medical, dental, and vision)
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)