Job Details

Scientist II

Job ID: req1706
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Facility: NIH
Location: NIH Campus 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892 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 Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for animal research performed at the National Cancer Institute at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. LASP executes this mission by providing a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art technologies and services that are focused on the design, generation, characterization and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease, which are aimed at the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies. LASP contributes to advancing human health, developing new treatments, and improving existing treatments for cancer and other diseases while ensuring safe and humane treatment of animals.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Scientist II position has primary responsibility for animal-based research programs, which includes the planning, design, implementation and overall management of murine experimental and breeding protocols that focus on development of genetically engineered mouse models and their application to preclinical drug testing. In addition to performing specialized procedures involving use of animal models, technical effort includes development and validation of assays, culture of cell lines and development of methodology for collecting, analyzing and reporting data. Responsibilities of the Scientist II position also include oversight and coordination of laboratory operations and workflow, the training of technical personnel and preparation of technical documents for scientific publication and presentation.

• Independent management of a rodent colony involving the breeding, production and monitoring of multiple genetically complex strains
• Design, development, optimization and implementation of complex breeding and experimental protocols, which includes the characterization and validation of preclinical animal models of lymphoid malignancies
• Development and refinement of new methodologies
• Screening of natural and synthetic chemical libraries towards drug development
• Performance of specialized technical procedures involving the use of animal models including:
  • Evaluation of phenotypes and drug treatment responses, including clinical observation, monitoring body weights, tumor progression, laboratory results, and animal health status
  • Collection of organs and tissue including full necropsy with report of gross findings
  • Performance of major or minor surgeries in mice
  • Anesthesia delivery, administration of experimental agents via various routes and ability to provide and implement appropriate dosing recommendations
  • Imaging including bioluminescent imaging
• Data management: maintenance of large databases including data analysis, interpretation and generation of summary reports
• Knowledge of flow cytometry
• Compilation and presentation of research findings in scientific symposia and publication formats
• Project management: prioritization of multiple projects, development of project schedules, timelines and status reports, and conduct of project team meetings
• Program management: provides scientific direction and training for technical personnel and functions as key liaison with external collaborators

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a PhD degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or eight (8) years of related experience.  Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• Candidates should have had two (2) or more years of competent, innovative research experience beyond doctoral training in a related field of specialty 
• Proficiency in developing test or production methods or protocols in an applied area; demonstrated ability to manage a production operation or a segment of a specialized service area
• Understanding of foundations of cancer biology, cancer disease initiation and progression, molecular analyses, cancer drug target identification and therapeutic development
• Strong self-organization, project planning and time management skills
• Expertise in computer-based data acquisition, management and data analysis
• Ability to plan, conduct, troubleshoot, and continuously optimize vigorous, complex integrated multidiscipline preclinical research workflows in advanced mouse cancer models
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Knowledge of animal-based research and facility operations
• Experience in conducting basic or translational studies preferably in disease animal models employing genetically or biologically engineered or patient-derived xenograft murine models for preclinical drug development objectives
• Working knowledge of experimental protocol design, pharmacology and imaging technologies, image analysis tools, including cancer; experience in execution and conduct of preclinical drug trials
• Good communication and presentation skills, ability to prepare comprehensive informative project documentation and other written deliverables, such as manuscripts, meeting abstracts, etc. 
• Prior research accomplishments documented e.g. in the form of significant publications in peer-reviewed journals, meeting poster presentations, invited talks, and other evidences of scientific achievements
• Demonstrated knowledge of current research trends and priority directions in translational science, with the emphasis on cancer biology, preclinical cancer modeling, diagnostic and therapeutic drug development
• Project management experience in a research setting focused on translational or preclinical workflows

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
• This position is subject to the environmental conditions such as working outdoors, high humidity areas indoors, dampness and chilling, dry atmospheric conditions, etc. as part of the job

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

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