Research Associate I/II

Research Associate I/II

Job ID: req2210
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer
Facility: Generic Location
Location: 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.

 Position Overview:

This position description does not represent a specific job but represents a sourcing announcement for current and future open positions. Our positions span a wide range of skills, so candidates who express an interest may be considered for upcoming positions at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.

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) of the Frederick National Laboratory is seeking a Research Associate I/II to support biospecimen and repository operations. The primary mission of the VICD is to provide scientific leadership and laboratory infrastructure to study immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and other cancer preventive strategies in the context of clinical and pre-clinical studies.
This position is located in Frederick, Maryland.

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 Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate is recruiting for a Research Associate I/II:

• Responsible for sample management including coordination of biospecimen repository program functions of receiving, shipping, packing, handling with internal and external facilities
• Follows all GCLP requirements for all assigned and unassigned duties
• Updates reagent inventory and databases
• Electronically tracks, stores and updates all requesting information
• Optimize and validate procedures and methodologies for assessment of immune responses to infections and vaccines
• Plan experiments and conduct testing of large number of samples from clinical studies with limited supervision, design and implement protocols, as well as troubleshoot assays and experiments independently
• Evaluate, analyze, and compile data, maintain databases
• Responsible for routine QC/QA procedures, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment and inventories
• Preparation of meeting slides for the program, present data, and participate in report preparation
• Document control tasks for standard operating procedures, forms, controlled documents and laboratory notebook issuance
• Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques
• Manage all administrative aspects of the task order portfolio, including proposal preparation, budgets, deliverables and all reports for the Program
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor or Program Director

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

This position may be filled with a Research Associate I/II commensurate with the selected candidates experience

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree.  Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
  • Research Associate I - In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience
  • Research Associate II - In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience
• Experience in standard tissue culture and immunological/virologic techniques including: aseptic techniques, cell line maintenance, production of plasmids and virus-like particles, western-blot, ELISA, Luminex assays, virus neutralizing assays and PCR
• Experience in immune assay (ELISA, multiplex assays) development and validation
• Experience in handling large data sets, statistics, software tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience in laboratories operating under GCLP/GMP/GLP/CLIA
• Experience using robotics
• Experience with electronic documentation systems and LIMS
• Familiarity with human research subject requirements and regulations
• Strong organizational and communications skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team and multi-task to achieve milestones within deadlines
• 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, organoid generation and maintenance, western-blot, nucleic acid extraction, and qPCR/rt-qPCR
• Experience in immunological assays development and validation, include ELISA, ELISPOT, Luminex assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry
• Experience in fragment analysis, Sanger sequencing or next generation sequencing (NGS)
• 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)
• Experience in Python and R Script
• Master's Degree

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix and team‐oriented environment
• Ability to develop project master plan and schedules
• Ability to identify and solve complex problems
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills

 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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