Job Details

3D Tumor Models Research Associate I

Job ID: req1644
Employee Type: exempt full-time
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.

Our core values of accountability, compassion, collaboration, dedication, integrity, and versatility serve as a guidepost for how we do our work every day in serving the public’s interest.  

 Position Overview:

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. With more than 2,000 employees, the FNLCR is responsible for pursuing translational and applied biomedical research that is unique from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or other federal contractors. The selected candidate will join the Molecular Pharmacology Branch’s (MPB) laboratory program, located at the NCI-Frederick campus, which is composed of four laboratories seeking to deliver new treatments for recalcitrant, rare, and neglected cancers through the discovery of novel targets and the evaluation of investigational therapeutics and new drug combinations using state-of-the-art approaches.

The selected candidate will work in the Organoid Models Laboratory which supports the Molecular Pharmacology Branch of the Developmental Therapeutics Program for the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD). Efforts will be concentrated in two main areas: (1) identifying and implementing conditions that increase the translational capacity of cancer organoid models to predict effective therapies in patient derived xenograft (PDX) models, DCTD-sponsored clinical trials, and precision medicine and (2) testing of mechanistic hypotheses on which DCTD-sponsored clinical trials and preclinical development can be built. 

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement protocols
• Independently troubleshoot procedures and experiments
• Culture organoids and other patient-derived models for laboratory studies and scale up the production
• Perform assays to evaluate the viability and growth characteristics of patient derived models
• Perform imaging and analysis of multiplex immunofluorescence assays using monolayer and 3D cell culture models
• Responsible for the preparation of stock reagents, routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment and inventories
• Remain current on the literature and relevant laboratory techniques
• Evaluate experimental results, analyze and compile data, and maintain inventories
• Perform data analysis, present data, prepare reports, and participate in the preparation of proposals

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in a field related to biomedical research/scientific discipline or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of a degree.  Foreign degrees will be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years progressively responsible experience
• Experience including experience performing basic laboratory techniques with patient specimens:
  • pipetting, centrifuge use, balance use, etc.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Demonstrated proficiency working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and strong general computer skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Expertise with primary cells, 3D cell culture models and patient-derived organoids
• Experience with immunofluorescence and/or high content imaging and high-throughput drug screens
• Experience with flow cytometry and cell sorting
• Experience in elucidating the mechanism of action for targeted and DNA damaging agents
• Experience in using gene expression/mutations profiles to identify genes, proteins and pathways that determine drug sensitivity

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 with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations

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

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