Provide services as a Scientist in support of the overall functions of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This order will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform sample preparation for lab assays and for collaboration. 4
• Perform DNA and RNA extraction and quantification. 3
• Perform experiments, including DNA and RNA purification, polymerase chain reactions, real-time PCR, Southern and Northern blotting, cloning of DNA segments and sequencing of DNA. 1
• Perform cell culture and biochemistry experiments, including basic tissue culture techniques, isolation of proteins from tissues/cells, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence. 2
• Present and communicate results to chemists and project teams. Analyze experiment results and present findings in project meetings. Present and communicate results with Project Team and staff.
• Prepare a weekly report to include: a summary of the samples (experimental or clinical), the modifications measured, and the antibodies validated
• Prepare and deliver periodic oral group meeting reports.
• Collect, analyze and interpret data for experimental results; prepare tables and figures.
• Perform statistical analysis of the results to ascertain the association or lack thereof of each modification with the particular condition, diagnosis or manipulation of the samples.
• Organize data into tables and figures with Prism Plot or other data analysis/visualization software. Analyze and interpret scientific data.
• Analyze the experimental results and organize findings into tables and figures.
• Collaborate with staff on cutting-edge cell biology and bioassay technologies for the development of disease-relevant assays for screening.
• Update and maintain records of experiments and results.
• Perform routine laboratory maintenance; ensure research supplies are kept stocked.
• Maintain and update accurate records of daily experiments and results including research documentation. Maintain and update laboratory notebooks and equipment.
• Maintain accurate research records digitally
• Write manuscript for publications, in collaboration with other team members and outside collaborators.
• Write and review technical protocols and reports documenting analytical development studies pertaining to assigned work.
• Prepare manuscripts and figures for publication.
• Write experiment reports and prepare manuscripts for publication in collaboration with other investigators. Write technical reports and prepare manuscripts.
• Prepare extracts of clinical and experimental samples and use validated antibodies to as many covalent modifications as is practicable to measure the relative modifications.
• Set-up and maintain a cell culture lab; provide the material for compound screens.
• Analyze the experiment results and present findings in project meetings, laboratory and outside meetings. Present data and results at regularly scheduled lab data clubs and journal clubs. 5
• Prepare posters and oral presentations for delivery at scientific meetings.
• Work with staff on assay design and modification with the input from published scientific literature. Perform and develop secondary assays and confirmation assays for follow-up study.
• Work with staff on method development and validation.
• Work with staff in the design, implementation, interpretation, and reporting of bioanalytical method development and sample analysis.
• Perform projects for the Combination Screening program, including 1) obtaining and reviewing detailed assay and cell culture protocols from collaborating PIs for each project; 2) ensuring overall scheduling for the implementation of the screens by coordinating with PI laboratory for timely transfer reagents and cell lines, compound management for preparation of on- demand compound plates; and robotics engineers for implementation of screen. 3) planning and managing the schedule for all Combination screening projects to ensure efficient implementation 4) ensuring proper formatting of data and transfer to IT for uploading into data base for analysis.
• Combination Screening Program; maintain the stocking of plates, media components, and other labware and reagents to implement Combination Screening Projects.
• Coordinate between NCATS and collaborating labs as a liaison to maintain all key communications involved in the planning, initiation and completion of experiments, data acquisition and transfer and the write – up of all reporting documents.
• Mentor new members of the Combination Screening program to ensure know-how is effectively passed to new scientists and projects are implemented efficiently and producing high quality data; mentor graduate students or other junior NCATS staff to
• help them learn about assay development, lab equipment and guide their project structure (select and help develop primary and secondary assays, go/no-go decisions).
• Collaborate with senior bioinformatics scientist on new methods to explore, manipulate and visualize HTS drug screening outcomes and genomic sequencing data.
• Produce datasets that inform on the concentration and timing of drug response in coordination with ex vivo samples as part of an emerging concept in precision personalized medicine platform.
• Provide support to cell expansion, cell characterization, niche media production and drug plate layout design for laboratory operations in the NIH Clinical Center.
• Propose, design and test assays to allow for a secondary profiling and utilization of probe candidates at NCATS.
• Propose and investigate new target projects for initiation based on novelty and relevance to human health.
• Collaborate with staff to establish one or two novel small molecules per year that can be considered high quality “probe” compounds; establish agent to be considered for human clinical evaluation.
• Collaborate with a team of medicinal chemist to optimize small molecules with specific mechanistic properties within a cell.
• Collaborate with ChemTech/ Matrix staff to begin a bio-bank of cell lines for repeated use in advancing translational profiling studies that interrogate screening results with genomic and proteomic profiles.
• Develop and optimize cell-based and biochemical assays for fully automated robotic screening.
• Evaluate new technologies resulting in proposals for new screening strategies and novel assay formats. Confirm assays and determine EC50/specificity for primary samples.
• Maintain and analyze several mammalian cell lines, laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Operate liquid dispensing systems (Tecan Genesis, BioMek FX, CyBio cybi Well) and multimodal detectors/plate readers (Tecan Safire, PE ViewLux).
• Independently conduct the screening project; write report when completed. Write probe report in collaboration with chemist.
• Work with staff to prepare grant applications.
• Write technical reports and prepare manuscripts in collaboration with investigators.
• Prepare oral presentations for internal and external groups and meetings.
• Initiate and complete Chemical Probe Development Plans in collaboration with team members and outside collaborators.
• Deliver a minimum of one presentation per year to audiences outside the NIH. Mentor post-bac students.
• Work products and documents related to managing the implementation of projects for the Combination Screening program; obtain and review assay and cell culture protocols;
• Ensure overall scheduling and proper formatting of data and transfer to IT for uploading. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to managing the laboratory; manage the stocking of plates, medial components, and other labware; mentor new staff and graduate students. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to proposing, designing and testing assays for a secondary profiling and utilization; propose and investigate new target projects. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to developing and optimizing cell-based and biochemical assays for fully automated robotic screening; evaluate new technologies for new screening strategies and novel assay formats; confirm assays and determine EC50/ specificity for primary active samples. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to maintaining and analyzing mammalian cell lines; maintain lab supplies and equipment; operate liquid dispensing systems and multimodal detectors/plate readers. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to writing/preparing technical reports, manuscripts and oral presentations; work with staff on the preparation of grant applications. - Ad-Hoc
• Clean Equipment - Ad-Hoc
• Run Validation - Ad-Hoc
• Inspect Equipment - Ad-Hoc
• Meet with lab members to present updates - Ad-Hoc

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Skilled in MS Office, PowerPoint, NIH POTS, and Outlook.
• Skilled in maintaining accurate and detailed records of laboratory experiments.
• Skilled in Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), qPCR, RT-PCR, and RT-qPCR.

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.

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