Position Objective: Provide services as a Senior Scientist (Surgical Services) in support of the overall functions of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The contractor’s primary responsibilities include independently providing surgical services, including: headposts and chamber placement, Chronic electrode and LED array implantation, stereotaxic and visualized aspiration lesions and injections of virus/tracer. Additionally, the contractor is responsible for independently directing and conducting special research projects that have a high priority for the laboratory with special emphasis on the development of novel research treatments and surgical techniques as well as evaluates, analyzes, and interprets research data and communicates results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate new techniques, instruments, and software for potential incorporation into current SOP. Advance the science in the laboratory through new procedures and discoveries. 2
• Design and conduct experiments and studies requiring the application of a broad professional knowledge of scientific theories and principles.
• Advance the science through proposing and investigating new target projects for initiation based on novelty and relevance to human health.
• Independently provide surgical services for others in the lab. Including: headpost and chamber placement, Chronic electrode and LED array implantation, stereotaxic and visualized aspiration lesions and injections of virus/tracer. 1
• Work with staff on the interpretation of experiments performed by research scientists.
• Independently direct and conduct special research projects that have a high priority for the laboratory with special emphasis in the development of novel research treatments.
• Work with staff on assay design and method development using an array or experimentation.
• Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment. Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments and equipment in the laboratory. Operate, troubleshoot and train others to use laboratory equipment and software.
• Provide advice and assistance to users in designing experiments, using instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and preparing figures for publication.
• Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, including Operating microscopes (Zeiss, Tivato 700), Surgical neuronavigation system (Cortexplore), Stereotaxic and low-profile head holders (Jerry-rig, USA), Surgical instruments, Microfluidic virus injection apparatus, and chronic electrode recording array implantation systems (Blackrock, and others).
• Manage scientific equipment and resources (e.g. reagents, stocks of frozen sells, animal samples) including acquisition, documentation and storage.
• Participate in the laboratory’s review of future proposals for resource allocations. Provide basic and advanced training in animal care and use procedures to staff.
• Write technical reports and prepare manuscripts.
• Maintain a detailed and up-to-date electronic laboratory notebook detailing all experiments.
• Work with staff to confirm assay results and evaluate new techniques and instruments; search literature; propose, design and test alternative assays for difficult screening targets; confirm assay results; develop secondary assays. 3
• Work with Principal Investigators in scheduling and prioritizing instrument usage. Suggest alternative or complementary approaches to experiments.
• Prepare and/or revise Animal Study Proposals to support research goals.
• Prepare oral presentations and posters for internal and external groups/conferences. Co-author manuscripts on research projects; publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Write papers and abstracts detailing research efforts and results for publication in peer-reviewed journals; prepare PowerPoint presentations as appropriate.
• Give posters and presentations detailing work at regional and national scientific meetings. Review, edit, and, as needed, write first drafts of papers, posters and manuscripts.
• Present results of clinical and experimental research at recognized scientific meetings by lectures and exhibits (poster sessions).
• Search existing literature for new and/or relevant techniques.
• Assist the lab staff in the creation and preparation of a variety of documents required by the lab’s scientific activities. Produce research reports and regularly communicate results to staff and collaborators. 4
• Provide advisory services and staff support to senior managers on a full range of issues relating to scientific research.
• Train staff in a wide variety of techniques used in the laboratory.
• Coordinate training of users in applying data and analysis methods for their research studies.
• Provide scientific and technical expertise to all visiting fellows, post-docs, and technicians.
• Prepare teaching sets utilizing slides and other audiovisual materials to promote teaching of state of the art scientific practices.
• Train laboratory staff to independently run the experiments and analyze the data.
• Train staff on the proper usage of surgical instruments and advise staff in surgical techniques and approaches.
• Clean Equipment - Weekly
• Inspect Equipment - Weekly
• Meet with lab members to present updates - Weekly
• Work products and documents related to supporting the planning and execution of research experiments in the context of the laboratory's overall research program; Advance the science in the laboratory through new procedures and discoveries; Evaluate new techniques, instruments, and software for potential incorporation into current SOP; Design and conduct experiments and studies requiring the application of a broad professional knowledge of scientific theories and principles; Advance the science through proposing and investigating new target projects for initiation based on novelty and relevance to human health. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to supporting laboratory staff on research projects and techniques; Independently direct and conduct special research projects that have a high priority for the laboratory with special emphasis on the development of novel research treatments and surgical techniques; Work with staff on the interpretation of experiments performed by research scientists; Work with staff on assay design and method development using an array or experimentation. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to maintaining laboratory equipment and the training of others in their use; Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment; Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, including Operating microscopes (Zeiss, Tivato 700), Surgical neuronavigation system (Cortexplore), Stereotaxic and low-profile head holders (Jerry-rig, USA), Surgical instruments, Microfluidic virus injection apparatus, and chronic electrode recording array implantation systems (Blackrock, and others); Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments and equipment in the laboratory; Operate, troubleshoot and train others to use laboratory equipment and software; Provide advice and assistance to users in designing experiments, using instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and preparing figures for publication. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to assisting in maintaining adequate space and facilities for ongoing and projected research studies; manage scientific equipment and resources (e.g. reagents, stocks of frozen sells, animal samples) including acquisition, documentation and storage; participate in the laboratory’s review of future proposals for resource allocations; Provide basic and advanced training in animal care and use procedures to staff. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting research data, communicates results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts; Maintain a detailed and up-to-date electronic laboratory notebook detailing all experiments; Write technical reports and prepare manuscripts. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to coordinating with junior staff to modify research protocols; Work with staff to confirm assay results and evaluate new techniques and instruments; search literature; propose, design and test alternative assays for difficult screening targets; confirm assay results; develop secondary assays; Preparing and/or revising Animal Study Proposals to support research goals; Suggest alternative or complementary approaches to experiments; Work with Principal Investigators in scheduling and prioritizing instrument usage. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to Presenting research at national scientific meetings and symposia; Present results of clinical and experimental research at recognized scientific meetings by lectures and exhibits poster sessions; Prepare oral presentations and posters for internal and external groups/conferences; Co-author manuscripts on research projects; publish in peer-reviewed journals; Write papers and abstracts detailing research efforts and results for publication in peer-reviewed journals; prepare PowerPoint presentations as appropriate; Give posters and presentations detailing work at regional and national scientific meetings; Review, edit, and, as needed, write first drafts of papers, posters and manuscripts. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to providing interpretation of results, guidance, and scientific support to the management team; Produce research reports and regularly communicate results to staff and collaborators; Search existing literature for new and/or relevant techniques; Assist the lab staff in the creation and preparation of a variety of documents required by the lab’s scientific activities; Provide advisory services and staff support to senior managers on a full range of issues relating to scientific research. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to providing surgical support; Independently provide surgical services for others in the lab. Including: headpost and chamber placement, Chronic electrode and LED array implantation, stereotaxic and visualized aspiration lesions and injections of virus/tracer. - Daily
• Work products and documents related to mentoring junior level scientists; Train staff on the proper usage of surgical instruments and advise staff in surgical techniques and approaches; Train staff in a wide variety of techniques used in the laboratory; Coordinate training of users in applying data and analysis methods for their research studies; Provide scientific and technical expertise to all visiting fellows, post-docs, and technicians; Prepare teaching sets utilizing slides and other audiovisual materials to promote teaching of state of the art scientific practices; Train laboratory staff to independently run the experiments and analyze the data; Train staff on the proper usage of surgical instruments and advise staff in surgical techniques and approaches. - Daily

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in physical sciences or neuroscience.
• A bachelor's degree with 10 years of specialized experience with neurosurgical procedures is equivalent to a Master’s degree.
• Skilled in PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Knowledge of animal handling (non-human primates), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), histology, nonhuman primate surgery, intramuscular injections, and subcutaneous injections.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of microscopy (brightfield/confocal) and Computed Tomography (CT) preferred.
• 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.