Position Objective: Provide services as a Laboratory Technician in support of the overall functions of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of this position is to support research in our lab which includes coordination of research tasks with PI and other members of the lab, conducting experiments, generating, analyzing and interpreting data as well as drafting data and method summaries for scientific presentations and publications. This position will support development of advanced complex 2D co-cultures/3D in vitro models of the female reproductive tract using human cell cultures. The position will support experiments using DNA, RNA/transcriptomics, RT-PCR, protein/westerns and immunofluorescence/confocal approaches for molecular mechanistic and translational toxicology research. The position will provide technical mentoring to trainees and other lab staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform fundamental procedures required for research projects.
• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Follow established procedures and protocols; utilize aseptic technique to perform experiments.
• Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry.
• Perform experiments on samples according to protocols.
• Work with staff on the maintenance of laboratory cell lines.
• Prepare materials and equipment for experiments.
• Maintain stocked supplies and records of working reagents, including fixatives, buffers, solvents and staining.
• Ensure that all specimens and equipment necessary for experiments are available and in good order.
• Perform processing, description and analysis of specimens.
• Store new samples, update database, retrieve samples with proper authorization. 3
• Upkeep sample and database inventory; monitor overall sample inventory. 4
• Retrieve, catalog and process samples including but not limited to blood and tumor tissue. 5
• Perform quality control procedures necessary to ensure the accuracy of each test system, sample processing, storage and inventory of samples. 1
• Work with staff to implement storage and distribution of biological samples for future scientific research. 2
• Maintain and update laboratory notebooks and databases; and enter experimental data into spreadsheet and conduct statistical analysis.
• Collect data and prepare for analysis and interpretation.
• Analyze, summarize and interpret data obtained from research studies; evaluate for completeness and validity.
• Ensure that supplies and consumables are ready and on hand as necessary for maximum efficiency in the laboratory.
• Work with staff to cover glassware washing, media preparation, and autoclaving.
• Clean and sterilize laboratory equipment such as glasses, metal instruments, sinks, tables and test panels.
• Ensure that adequate clean inventory is available for immediate usage.
• Perform fundamental procedures required for research projects.
• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Follow established procedures and protocols; utilize aseptic technique to perform experiments.
• Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry.
• Perform flow cytometry-based experiments, including cell preparation, cell sorting and molecular analysis of sorted subsets.
• Monitor and inventory routine laboratory supplies; ensure that supplies are stocked and organized.
• Manage the laboratory logistics and supply flow by tracking the consumption of laboratory materials.
• Inventory laboratory supplies and equipment, make recommendations and prepare purchase requests.
• Work with staff to maintain stocked supplies and records of working reagents, including fixatives, buffers, solvents and staining.
• Ensure that reagents are made correctly and that expired reagents or defective products are replaced to ensure validity of results.
• Assist in troubleshooting and calibrating various laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Perform regularly scheduled maintenance on and generate maintenance reports for equipment.
• Carry out calibration; organize and initiate service and preventative maintenance on equipment.
• Monitor and maintain contracts for laboratory equipment and monitor equipment performance and maintenance schedule.
• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry.
• Perform routine analysis and tests on specimens in the laboratory.
• Perform experiments on samples according to protocols.
• Provide experimental progress updates on procedures performed in the laboratory.
• Record details of experimental procedures, results and protocols.
• Prepare accumulated data and conclusions for publication in professional journals.
• Collect, analyze and interpret data; prepare summaries and reports based on results and findings.
• Perform laboratory maintenance tasks, including scheduling liquid waste container pickup.
• Assist in troubleshooting and calibrating various laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Coordinate general laboratory maintenance, including equipment upkeep and calibration.
• Carry out calibration; organize and initiate service and preventative maintenance on equipment.
• Monitor and maintain contracts for laboratory equipment and monitor equipment performance and maintenance schedule.
• Provide technical help and expertise to lab members.
• Provide training to staff on the performance of laboratory experiments, assays and protocols.
• Train new laboratory members in the correct use of equipment, application of techniques and laboratory protocols.
• Engage in problem solving as required to solve technical difficulties and to ensure steady progress, with a goal of providing high quality experimental data suitable for publication.
• Evaluate new types of experimental approaches/analyses and recommend changes to protocols.
• Determine when modifications and adjustments are necessary for experiments.
• Identify pitfalls in the original choice of methods or experimental direction and redirect the study to achieve improved results.
• Troubleshoot issues with technical procedures; utilize trial and error methods customize protocols to the biological systems utilized in the laboratory.
• Clean Equipment – Daily
• Run Validation – Monthly
• Inspect Equipment – Daily
• Meet with lab members to present updates - Weekly

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• Experience working in a Biosafety Level 1 (BSL 1) and Biosafety Level 2 (BSL 2) environment.
• Experience with Animal Handling: Mouse.
• Experience with equipment maintenance, inventory management, manuscript writing, ordering supplies, data presentation, data analysis, SOP writing, pipetting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), qPCR, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, nucleic acid extraction, DNA purification, RNA purification, nucleic acid quantification, transfections, cell culture, primary cell culture, 3D, cell culture, microarray, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and western blotting
• Skilled in PowerPoint, NIH POTS, Outlook, Prism GraphPad, DeltaGraph, Excel, and Word.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to multi-task and pay close attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.

GAP Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics.

This position is contingent upon contract award.