Research Associate, Fluorescence Microscopy

Job ID: req2523
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Cancer Research Technology Program
Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick
Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.

Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Cancer Research Technology Program (CRTP) develops and implements emerging technologies and provides cancer research and technical expertise to accomplish NCI research objectives through dedicated support to and collaboration with NCI's intramural Center for Cancer Research (CCR). Laboratories within the CRTP cover a diverse range of expertise that include electron microscopy, protein characterization, mass spectrometry, protein expression, optical microscopy, and genomics.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Extraordinarily rapid advances are ongoing in optical microscopy, fluorescence labeling and computer science for sensing dynamic molecular events inside cells and tissues. To address this unfolding reality, The Optical Microscopy and Analysis Laboratory (OMAL) is composed of a unique combination of experts: cell biologists, material scientists, microscopists and image analysts. These experts sustain and advance cutting edge optical microscopy technologies, which are used in collaboration with the Center for Cancer Research labs at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick (NCI-F), Maryland.

• The Research Associate will support and collaborate with scientists at the NCI-F in cancer and HIV biology in the areas of multiplex immunofluorescence (MIF) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) analyses of mouse and human tumor tissues. Technologies include but are not limited to: immunofluorescence labeling, conjugation of antibodies to labels, validation of antibody labeling, live cell culture, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), advanced fluorescence microscopy, including confocal microscopy and quantitative analysis and interpretation of images
• The Research Associate will conduct experiments using the aforementioned technologies, particularly multiplex immunofluorescence, which involves sample labeling, acquisition of microscope images and analysis of images using computer programs
• The Research Associate will at times be directed by CCR scientists in order to accomplish specific collaborative projects
• The Research Associate will provide training to NCI-F scientists in the aforementioned technologies through one-on-one hands-on training, demonstrations and lectures
• The Research Associate will keep abreast of developments in the general area of MIF and ST by reading scientific and technical literature, meeting with domain experts and attending lectures
• The Research Associate will report results and technologies to the scientific community through oral and poster presentations and participation in writing abstracts and manuscripts for submission to scientific journals
• The Research Associate will support the broader mission of OMAL by assisting scientists in cell and tissue preparation, fluorescence labeling, operation of optical microscopes and image analysis software
• The Research Associate will support the general maintenance of the optical microscopes and the biology laboratory.
• Duties may include occasional evening and weekend work
• Duties include keeping the lab in compliance with Institutional, State and Federal regulations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of a B.S. degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the biological sciences or four (4) years equivalent experience in lieu of a degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to education requirements, a minimum of two (2) or more years of hands-on experience in some of the following areas: cell culture, animal tissue processing, immunofluorescence, FISH, fluorescence microscopy, computational image analysis
• Taken college-level courses or otherwise obtained working knowledge in the areas of cancer, biology and optical microscopes
• Proficiency in statistical analyses
• Experience preparing and giving poster and oral presentations
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• M.S. in a relevant field (Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics etc)
• Histology and cytology techniques (e.g. sectioning, immunohistochemistry, preparing fresh-frozen mouse samples, tumor microarrays)
• Live animal handling
• Molecular biology techniques (e.g. Western blotting, in situ hybridization, PCR, DNA / RNA isolation)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and/or animal material(s)
• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)

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