Organoid Models and High-Content/High-Throughput Screening Scientist

Organoid Models and High-Content/High-Throughput Screening Scientist

Job ID: req2520
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Applied & Development Research Program
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.

Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

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 five 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 successful candidate will focus on the characterization and expansion of patient-derived organoid models for high-throughput screens. An additional major focus will be on the design, optimization, and implementation of high-content imaging assays for screening and mechanism of action studies with patient-derived organoids, spheroids, and potentially other 3D culture models. This work will complement the ongoing efforts within the MPB and Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Group to interrogate the activities of drugs and investigational agents, alone and in combination, that hold promise for future clinical trials. Success in this role will require both outstanding technical skills at the bench and the ability to supervise. Work is in support of the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD).

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Characterize a wide range of patient-derived organoid models and scale up suitable cultures for cryo stock vial preparation and high-throughput screening
• Work with members of the Target Validation and Screening Laboratory, Organoid Models Laboratory, Translational Support Laboratory, and Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Group to evaluate the drug sensitivities of organoids, spheroids, and other 3D culture models by high content imaging and other assays to interrogate the activities of drugs and investigational agents, alone and in combinations, that may move into preclinical development and DCTD-sponsored clinical trials
• Lead the development and implementation of high content imaging assays for screening new potential therapeutic combinations and initiating new scientific projects
• Play a key role in evaluating mechanistic hypotheses for drug and investigational agent responses in the context of targeted clinical trials using cancer cell lines, Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) lines, spheroids, organoids, and other 3D culture models, by combining high content imaging and molecular biology techniques to achieve gene modulation and interrogate pathways of interest
•  Provide imaging and data analysis training and support for members of the Molecular Pharmacology Branch and other DCTD labs
•  Prepare, review and publish scientific articles and reviews
•  Present data at national and international meetings and conferences
•  Maintain a current understanding of technical and scientific advancements in the field and apply this knowledge to advance the MPB/DCTD mission 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: 

• Possession of a doctoral degree (e.g., D.V.M., D.Sc., M.D., or Ph.D.) from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Foreign degrees will be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
•  In addition to the educational requirements, a minimum of two (2) years of independent and innovative research in the field of cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, chemistry, enzymology, pharmacology, drug discovery or a similar discipline
•  Must have practical laboratory experience with patient derived organoids and other 3D culture model systems
•  Must have expertise in high content imaging; preferably confocal image analysis
•  Experience and expertise in applying high-resolution imaging and microscopy methodologies to interrogate patient-derived organoids, spheroids, and other 3D culture models 
• Experience with data processing and data analysis along with expertise in interrogating, interpreting, and summarizing large volumes of data by appropriate statistical analytical procedures and reporting practices to provide scientific insight
•  Must be an excellent team player and forward-thinking with exceptional problem-solving skills
•  Must have the highest integrity and standards for research rigor and reproducibility
•  Excellent written and verbal communication, troubleshooting, and organizational skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:  

• An individual at this level normally has made contributions by independently producing research work, authoring and/or co-authoring publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and by presenting papers before professional societies

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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