Research Associate I

Research Associate I

Job ID: req2679
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer
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 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.

The Vaccine, Immunity, and Cancer Directorate (VICD) at the Frederick National Laboratory has a primary mission to provide scientific leadership and laboratory infrastructure to study immune responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and other cancer preventive strategies in the context of clinical and pre-clinical studies.  This position is in the Cancer Immunoprevention Laboratory, devoted to investigating novel prophylactic immunologically based approaches to cancer treatment.

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.  

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Associate I will:

• Plan and conduct experiments in mouse vaccine models
• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessment of immunogenicity of T and B cell responses in mouse in vivo systems
• Perform immunological assays that include ELISA, ELISPOT, Luminex assays, flow cytometry, cell-based neutralization assays, immunohistochemistry
• Produce RNA constructs through in vitro transcription, then test antigen expression
• Produce protein antigens through DNA transfection of mammalian cells and purification processes
• Design and implement protocols, with limited supervision, as well as troubleshoot assays independently
• Evaluate, analyze, and compile data, and maintain databases
• Be responsible for routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment, inventories, and lab environment
• Prepare reports, present data, and participate in manuscript and proposal preparation
  Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education) Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• In addition to the education requirements, a minimum of two (2) years of laboratory bench experience
• Experience in operating under QC procedures
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration: 

• Experience in standard cell culture and molecular biology techniques including aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, western-blot, nucleic acid extraction, qPCR/rt-qPCR, mass spectrometry
• Experience in immunological assays development and validation, include ELISA, ELISPOT, Luminex assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry
• Experience in preclinical/clinical research of vaccines/biologics
• Knowledge of or experience in cancer biology and immunology and genetically engineered mouse models
• Experience handling large data sets, statistics, and software tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Master's Degree

JOB HAZARDS

• 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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