Research Assoc II, Pre Clin

Job ID: req2912
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Laboratory Animal Science 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 Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for animal research performed at the National Cancer Institute at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. LASP executes this mission by providing a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art technologies and services that are focused on the design, generation, characterization and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease, which are aimed at the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies. LASP contributes to advancing human health, developing new treatments, and improving existing treatments for cancer and other diseases while ensuring safe and humane treatment of animals.

The Mouse Model Core (MMC) Laboratory provides assistance to the scientific community with the generation of genetically engineered mice (GEM), offering a complete array of services aimed at the successful generation of transgenic and gene-targeted mice, and their expansion and cryopreservation. The Pronuclear injection is an all-encompassing service, covering all the steps from receipt of a recombinant DNA construct containing the transgene of interest to the delivery of breeding-age transgenic founder mice. The gene targeting service is an all-inclusive service that is initiated with electroporation of the vector of interest into the embryonic stem cells (ESCs), followed by production of germline progeny. Other services offered by the MMC Laboratory include: Generation of large cohort of GEMs for experimental use, microinjection of targeted mouse ESCs into blastocysts, de novo generation of ESCs from established mouse models, strain reconstitution from cryopreserved germplasm, rederivation of mouse strains to Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) status. In addition, the MMC laboratory is responsible for cell culture services that include the receipt of tumor cell lines and submission for MTBM, tumor dissociation, culture and expansion of cell lines for planned experiments, isolation of primary cells from mouse tissue, cryopreservation of stock vials for long-term storage, and preparation of cell lines for injection and transplantation.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Associate II will be responsible for performance of mouse embryo manipulation and molecular biology procedures within the MMC. Duties include:

• Planning and scheduling of technical activities in the animal facility
• Embryo collection and manipulation
• Microinjection
• Surgical procedures: Embryo transfer and vasectomy
• Collection of tissue biopsy and blood sample
• Molecular biology tasks such as DNA extraction and restriction digests
• Southern blot analysis and PCR
• General laboratory tasks such as preparation of buffers and reagents
• Colony management
• Maintenance of experiment records and data management

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of a (CHEA) Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in a field related to biomedical research or four (4) years equivalent experience in the appropriate field in lieu of degree
• Foreign educated candidates who have completed part or all of their education outside of the United States must have their foreign education evaluated by a company-approved accrediting organization to assure that it has met the equivalency of the qualifications of degree work in the United States
• In addition to educational requirements, a minimum of five (5) years job-related biomedical experience
• Proficiency is the use of sterile techniques
• Strong background in mouse colony maintenance
• Ability to work independently or in a team and communicate with management in a fast-paced scientific environment
• Ability to follow protocols
• Ability to maintain precise and accurate records
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Experience working with laboratory animals (rodents)
• Isolation of mouse embryos
• Injection techniques (specifically, intraperitoneal administration of reproductive hormones)
• Rodent colony husbandry
• Cell and Molecular Biology background
• Culture and manipulation of mouse embryonic stem cell
• Strong familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite or computer software (Word, Excel, and Outlook) or comparable
• Excellent organization skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to multi-task

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 in or have the potential to exposure to high noise
  levels for extended periods of time requiring medical clearance
• This position may require continuous or intermittent exposure to and exertion in
  environmental conditions such as working outdoors, temperature extremes, humidity extremes.
  etc. as part of the job

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

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