Research Associate I

Job ID: req3081
Employee Type: nonexempt full-time
Division: Applied & Development Research 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 In Vivo Evaluation Group, BTB, DTP is establishing both in vitro and in vivo tumor lines from patient biopsies from DCTD sponsored clinical trials with the goal of developing models for NCI's Patient Derived Models Repository (PDMR). The PDMR is a repository of patient-derived models that include in vivo tumor fragments, in vitro tumor lines (2D and 3D), cancer associated fibroblasts, and DNA/RNA isolates. The goal of the PDMR is to distribute well validated and highly characterized material to researchers worldwide. A secondary mission is to evaluate the efficacy of approved oncology drugs in combination or as single agents in a subset of rare and recalcitrant PDX tumor models.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Aid in the daily maintenance, passaging and cryopreservation of the various 2D & 3D cultures grown in different medias
• Establish organoid cultures from patient samples and from tumors isolated from mice implanted with human tumors
• Prepare cultures for the various validation assays (flow cytometry, cell sorting, Q RT PCR, soft agar clonal assays, RNA/DNA extraction, the STR identity assay, proliferation assays, etc)
• Prepare all required medias, components and reagents used in the culture of organoid cultures
• Participate in evaluating the effects of different basement membrane extracts, media additives, and different methodology used to establish and grow difficult 2D and 3D cell lines
  
• Aid in other routine tasks as needed such as cell photography, PowerPoint presentations, tube/plate labeling, cell deliveries/pick-ups etc
  
• Maintain precise documentation of each 2D/3D cell line in Excel spreadsheets
  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of a BS/BA degree from an accredited college or university (according to CHEA). (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education). Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• Minimum of two (2) years related experience
• Ability to be flexible to meet changing needs
  
• Organizational skills and database management skills
  
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  
• Organizational skills and database management skills
  
• Ability to maintain precise records
  
• Good written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work under Biosafety Level-2 conditions
  
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Knowledge of sterile eukaryotic tissue culture techniques
  

• Knowledge of organoid cell culture
  

JOB HAZARDS OR REQUIREMENTS

• Job hazard or requirement Enroll in OSHA BBP. Must be medically cleared to receive any necessary immunizations per protocol requirements.
  
• Job hazard or requirement Employee would receive vaccinations required and determined by Occupational Health Services (OHS) and/or mandated by Federal Health Standard Regulations
• 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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