Research Associate II

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.

The Mouse Model Core (MMC) Laboratory provides assistance to the scientific community with the generation of genetically engineered mice (GEM), offering a complete array of services aimed at the successful generation of transgenic and gene-targeted mice, and their expansion and cryopreservation. The Pronuclear injection is an all-encompassing service, covering all the steps from receipt of a recombinant DNA construct containing the transgene of interest to the delivery of breeding-age transgenic founder mice. The gene targeting service is an all-inclusive service that is initiated with electroporation of the vector of interest into the embryonic stem cells (ESCs), followed by production of germline progeny. Other services offered by the MMC Laboratory include: Generation of large cohort of GEMs for experimental use, microinjection of targeted mouse ESCs into blastocysts, de novo generation of ESCs from established mouse models, strain reconstitution from cryopreserved germplasm, rederivation of mouse strains to Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) status. In addition, the MMC laboratory is responsible for cell culture services that include the receipt of tumor cell lines and submission for MTBM, culture and expansion of cell lines, cryopreservation of stock vials for long-term storage, and preparation of cell lines for injection and transplantation.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cell culture, sample preparation and submission for MTBM, sample tracking, database maintenance
• Cell line cryopreservation, quality assurance, quantification, and quality assessment
• Isolation and establishment of primary cell lines
• Submission of frozen vials to the Central Repository
• Basic Molecular Biology tasks such as DNA extraction and restriction digests
• Southern blot analysis and PCR
• General laboratory tasks such as preparation of buffers and reagents
• Maintenance of the MMC database
• Occasional work with rodents following ACUC training and certification

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

This is a dual level requisition. It may be filled at either a Research Associate I or Research Associate II.

Basic Qualifications for a Research Associate I:

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education); Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to the educational requirements, a minimum of two (2) years of directly relevant experience

Basic Qualifications for a Research Associate II:

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education); Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to the educational requirements, a minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant experience
• Knowledge of use of sterile techniques
• Ability to work independently or in a team and communicate with management in a fast-paced scientific environment
• Ability to follow protocols
• Ability to maintain precise, accurate records
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with laboratory animals (rodents)
• Cell culture techniques
• Cell Staining and quantification
• Strong familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of computer software (Word, Excel, and Outlook) or comparable
• Excellent organization skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to multi-task

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