Research Associate III - onsite

Research Associate III - onsite

Job ID: req3762
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Clinical 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 Molecular Characterization Laboratory (MoCha) is part of Leidos Biomedical Research’s Clinical Research Directorate (CRD) at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. The MoCha Laboratory is responsible for providing high-level research in support of the NCI-Cancer Diagnostics Program (CDP) within the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD). MoCha is charged with the development and application of proteomic/Histology pathology based assays for use in medical research and diagnostics for DCTD-sponsored national extramural clinical trials.  

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the Histology CLIA Laboratory Manager, and technical lead responsible for facilitating cutting edge research in support of DCTD projects, including PDMR and DCTD lead clinical trials
• Manage scientific staff in the development and optimization of new assays and technologies, leveraging immunohistochemistry, digital spatial profiling, and other platforms available at MoCha
• Work with MoCha Senior Staff to manage project priorities and timelines
• Perform quality control and troubleshooting activities independently and in consultation with MoCha senior scientific staff
• Recommend and optimize new protein-based biomarker assay/platforms
• Perform analytical validation of Digital spatial profiling assay
• Develop and maintain SOPs for above-mentioned research activities and projects
• Perform formal reporting of research data including oral presentations to senior staff, abstracts for scientific meetings, and manuscript preparation for scientific journals
• Maintain knowledge of the most recent literature and scientific presentations relevant to ongoing projects
• Supervise CLIA Histology technicians and ensure CLIA standards are maintained
• This position will be located in Frederick, Maryland 

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/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 educational requirements, a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience
• Strong technical skills in histopathology workflow
• Extensive experience working in a CLIA environment and be knowledgeable in all aspects of maintaining a laboratory according to CLIA standards
• Ability to independently evaluate the suitability and quality control of research or production assays or tests, develop and follow SOPs, and analyze and report data
• Ability to track information in a large cohort of samples and monitor progress of multiple projects
• Adequate computer skills to document, organize, and present experimental data
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively on complex projects as a successful team player
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:
 

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study
• Experience in assay development, trouble shooting and developing SOP’s
• Familiarity with clinical oncology studies and other protocol-driven clinical research 

JOB HAZARDS

This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations

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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