Staff Scientist (Mouse Phenotyping/Mouse Research)

The Murine Phenotyping Core (MPC) is a full scale, busy, and in demand mouse phenotyping core that provides technical and scientific expertise for the phenotypic characterization of mouse models. The organization collaborates on projects with investigators across NIH on a diversity of mouse models utilizing state of the art equipment and comprehensive testing methodologies to assess multiple physiological and behavioral systems. The core is equipped to handle all aspects of comprehensive, complex and diverse phenotyping projects in the areas of cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, neuromuscular, behavioral phenotyping and exercise physiology testing while providing scientific consultation and collaboration with NIH research labs. The position offers diverse and exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, development of comprehensive expertise in mouse phenotyping and comparative medicine, the ability to shape and steer ongoing growth of the core.

Position Objective: The core seeks an experienced candidate with a strong mouse research background to assist in both the technical and scientific aspects involved in the core’s daily work and collaborations. In addition to performing mouse phenotyping study work in the core (50% of time), the candidate would have the scientific background required to work alongside core staff in areas including: scientific collaboration and communications with investigators, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and new method development.

The candidate for the position is expected to be able to perform a variety of specialized in vivo mouse phenotyping techniques and have a strong background in comparative medicine and/or physiology. The candidate is expected to develop expertise in in-vivo murine testing including: neuromuscular and behavioral phenotyping on diverse models, exercise testing, muscle/nerve stimulation, cardiovascular system testing, pulmonary system testing, metabolic phenotyping, and microsurgery. The successful applicant will be expected to already be experienced conducting in vivo mouse research in multiple listed areas and would be expected to become proficient in all areas over time.

The individual would have the experiential and educational background required to read relevant scientific literature, and possess general understanding of physiology to develop the necessary knowledge in all areas serviced by the core (neuromuscular, behavioral, cardiovascular, pulmonary, exercise, and metabolic phenotyping of mouse models) in order to oversee scientific strategic testing planning, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and follow up testing suggestions for diverse mouse models with our NIH collaborators, as well as to independently develop new testing methods, validate or refine new or existing methods, and serve as a core liaison to provide educational outreach to scientists and students at NIH.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of in vivo mouse phenotyping testing and methods.
• Understand applications of the core’s diverse phenotyping method repertoire and possess the ability to strategically apply testing strategies to target model specific questions.
• Prepare summaries of experiments, contribute to the evaluation and discussion of results. Study, adapt, and/or develop new techniques needed to answer new research questions.
• Maintain detailed records of laboratory experiments, perform statistical analysis of data, prepare tables, charts, graphs, summaries, and other materials for inclusion in publications.
• Provide training and guidance to students, fellow and other staff members in the DIR in the use of equipment/laboratory methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Contribute as an author and co-author in the writing and preparation of scientific papers for publication in recognized journals.
• Attend training sessions for new methodologies and techniques as needed and participate in conferences to stay abreast of latest scientific developments.
• Develop new methods and techniques independently where training does not exist by reviewing literature and applying own scientific knowledge, aptitude and insights to find new approaches to answering questions.