Scientist I - Cancer Biology

Scientist I - Cancer Biology

Job ID: req3763
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. More recently, VICD is also leading initiatives on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines. 

The mission of the Cancer ImmunoPrevention Lab (CIPL) within the VICD is to serve as a reference and technical support laboratory, performing work necessary to advance successful immunoprevention concepts such as cancer vaccines in preclinical development towards the ultimate goal of IND and clinical evaluation.

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 Scientist will develop and characterize mouse models using various approaches and test immune modulation and chemoprevention agents in mouse models, with the ultimate goal of moving top candidates from preclinical to clinical testing. This position offers exposure to multidisciplinary and cutting-edge genomic and proteomic research and opportunities to collaborate closely with core facilities at FNL and experts in mouse modeling, cancer biology, immunology, and bioinformatics. Candidates will be leading projects, designing experiments for generating high-dimensional in vivo and in vitro data while working closely with collaborators and lab members. She/he will be involved in lab/mouse colony management. Opportunities for training in bioinformatics as well as mentoring summer students will be available based on interest.  

Specific duties will include:

•   Design, implement, execute assigned projects with minimal supervision
•   Develop and characterize mouse models and generate primary cell lines
•   Conduct preclinical vaccine or chemo preventive agents testing in mouse models 
•   Coordinate with several core facilities and collaborators for project execution
•   Serve as scientific/technical lead for the assigned projects
•   Serve as scientific/technical lead for molecular, genomic, and immuno-assay development and validation
•   Plan and work independently with minimal supervision 
•   Prepare documentation associated with project/objectives including SOPs, technical reports, manuscripts, and scientific    presentations
•   Analyze and interpret data and present findings at meetings
•   Perform other duties as assigned

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in a field related to cancer biology or molecular biology, 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.  
• Strong scientific background in cancer biology and mouse modeling
• Experience in cancer mouse model characterization using various technologies and in vivo therapeutics/vaccine testing in mouse models
•  Extensive experience in generating primary 2D or 3D cell lines and maintaining cells in culture
•  Experience in molecular, genomic, and immune-assay development, including protocol and report writing 
•  Strong in vivo data analytic skills and experience with relevant software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Prism
•  Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years related experience
• Experience in spatial “omics” data analysis
• Experience in drug/vaccine target identification and validation
• Experience in immunopeptidome analysis 
• Skill sets in bioinformatics/statistics methods and knowledge of coding and databases used with bioinformatic analysis(e.g., R, Python, C++, etc.)
• Team player with outstanding oral/written communication skills
• Ability to work independently on projects with minimal supervision 
•   In‐depth understanding of cancer biology, genetics, and mouse modeling
•   Ability to work effectively in a team‐oriented environment
•   Ability to identify and solve complex problems
•   Strong organizational and time management skills
•   Strong Computer skills and experience with relevant software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Prism
•   Self-motivated and proficient in both spoken and written English

JOB HAZARDS
Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemical or biological materials or may be located in areas where such materials are used.   

 

Commitment to Diversity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

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