Research Associate II (Cell Biology)

Job ID: req3483
Employee Type: exempt 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

Laboratory of Human Retrovirology and Immunoinformatics (LHRI) in ADRD investigates HIV pathogenesis in vitro using Immunological and virological approach. The studies aim to support NIAID clinical trials for people living with HIV and develop novel immune therapies for multiple drug resistance.

In HIV clinical therapy, even though effective combination therapies using multiple anti-HIV drugs have been developed, it is impossible to eradicate the HIV gene from HIV-infected patients. During the treatment, HIV genes get substitution/deletion/insertion and acquire multiple drug-resistant or defective mutants. It was considered that the viruses containing the dysfunctional genes are carried over in latently infected cells and persist the prolonged infection. LHRI has recently found that the defective genes can undergo genetic recombination and reemerge as an infectious virus. The successful candidate will be involved in this study.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performing multiple assays (ELISA, Western Blot, real-time PCR, IP, Luciferase assay,etc.)
  
• Constructing expression plasmids and cDNA libraries for NGS
  
• Maintaining cell culture
  
• Developing new protocols
  
• Statistical analysis of produced data and preparing figures or tables using Excel, Prisms or
  PowerPoint
  
• This position may be trained techniques by Sr. Scientist if needed
  
• This position is subject to working with infectious material including HIV, requiring medical
  clearance and immunizations
  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of a BS 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 five (5) years of experience including two (2) years RNA work experience
  
• Fundamental molecular biology knowledge and experience (cloning, DNA sequencing, transfection)
  
• Cell culture experience
  
• Basic knowledge of cell biology and immune cells
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Possession of a MS degree from an accredited college or university (according to CHEA)
• FACS
• Cell culture of mammalian cells using 96-well format
• RNA handling, including performance of RT-PCR and data analysis.
• Ability to be flexible to meet experiment plan needs.
• Western Blot
• Statistical analysis

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and/or animal material(s)

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

#readytowork