Research Assoc I, Pre Clin

Job ID: req3409
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 is comprised of a dynamic team of technical professionals that support 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 I will be responsible for mouse embryo manipulation, microinjection, and performance of other molecular biology procedures within the MMC.

• Planning and scheduling of technical activities in the animal facility
• Hormonal stimulation and 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
• General laboratory tasks such as preparation of buffers and reagents
• Colony management and monitoring phenotypes
• Occasional harvesting of tissues and organs
• 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 or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education)
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to educational requirements, a minimum of two (2) years of directly relevant experience
• Experience in rodent breeding colony management and associated procedures
• Experience in performing experimental procedures
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures for animal facilities and the basic requirements for maintaining laboratory animals and performing scientific procedures involving animal testing and data collection
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and wear personal protective equipment
• 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:

• Excellent observation and organization skills
• Experience in performing surgical procedures on rodents
• Attention to details and ability to multi-task
• Computer and data entry skills
• Excellent written and oral communications skills

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
• This position is subject to working with radioactive material and requires to become an approved radiation worker

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