Research Associate III

Research Associate III

Job ID: req3301
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 In Vivo Evaluation Group, BTB, DTP is establishing both in vitro and in vivo tumor lines from patient biopsies from DCTD sponsored clinical trials with the goal of developing models for NCI’s Patient Derived Models Repository (PDMR). The PDMR is a repository of patient-derived models that include in vivo tumor fragments, in vitro tumor lines (2D and 3D), cancer associated fibroblasts, and DNA/RNA isolates.  The goal of the PDMR is to distribute well validated and highly characterized material to researchers worldwide. A secondary mission is to evaluate the efficacy of approved oncology drugs in combination or as single agents in a subset of rare and recalcitrant PDX tumor models. 

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implant human tumor resections and biopsies directly into mice/rats, monitor the mice/rats daily for tumor growth, measure tumors, harvest tumor tissue for the repository and provide tumor material to staff for the establishment of in vitro cultures, quality control, RNA and DNA preparation for sequencing
  
• Maintain patient derived xenograft tumors by serial passage through additional rodents to generate adequate tumor material to meet the PDMR demands and to provide tumor bearing animals for various scientific endeavors
  
• Ability to implant tissue subcutaneously and orthotopically
  
• Ability to recognize xenograft transplant lymphoproliferative disease (XTLD) – collect necessary samples for diagnostic and characterization studies. Identify acceptable donor material from XTLD mice for transplantation into new cohorts of mice for the development of these human lymphoma models.
  • This includes but is not limited to collection and implantation of spleen fragments or extracted splenocytes, harvesting of bone marrow from femurs and tibias, liver masses where noted, along with any other distant site tumors from successive generations of mice.
    
• Update the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tracking sheets and log experimental data into Studylog. The maintenance of proper records is critical as each patient sample will be passaged and expanded multiple times in NSG mice or in rats
  
• Perform drug toxicity and drug efficacy studies that require administration of test agents by multiple routes (IV, IP, PO, SC) on schedules varying from a single dose to multiple times per day for multiple days/weeks depending on the agents administered
  
• Perform timed PK studies to include dosing animals with select agents/drugs and collecting plasma or urine at predetermined time points
  
• Perform metabolism studies using metabolism cages to collect urine and feces at predetermined time points
  
• Maintenance of transgenic mouse colonies to include setting up breeding pairs, weaning and ear clipping of the weanlings for genotyping
  
• Evaluate the health and well-being of experimental mice on a daily basis and secure veterinary help where needed
  
• Experience in training newly hired staff to perform all in vivo work and advising lower level staff in their daily tasks 
  
• Aid in any other routine tasks as needed (tube labeling, sample deliveries/pick-ups, autoclaving instruments, etc.). 
  
• Order mice as needed so ongoing studies are not delayed because of limitations in availability
  
• Occasional weekend work is required
  
• Tasks are performed independently
  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of a BS/BA degree from an accredited college or university (according to CHEA). (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education)
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
  
• Demonstrated organizational skills and database management skills
  
• Ability to maintain precise records
  
• Ability to be flexible to meet changing needs
  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  
• Ability to work alone as well as part of a team
  
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Previous animal handling experience
  
• Knowledge of basic necropsy techniques
  
• Experience with IV, IP, PO, SC injections
  
• Previous experience working under BSL-2 and ABSL-2 conditions
  
• Previous transgenic mouse colony breeding experience
  
• Previous PK assay experience
  

JOB HAZARDS

• Enroll in OSHA BBP. Must be medically cleared to receive any necessary immunizations per protocol requirements
• 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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