Research Assoc II, Pre Clin - Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Research Assoc II, Pre Clin

Job ID: req3980
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Laboratory Animal Science 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 Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for animal research performed at the National Cancer Institute at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. LASP executes this mission by providing a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art technologies and services focused on the design, generation, characterization, and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and build reagents for gene editing experiments.
• Testing gene editing reagents in cultured cells.
• Isolating nucleic acids from edited culture cells and performing downstream molecular biology assays (e.g. quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Preparing DNA input for high throughput Illumina sequencing.
• Analysis and interpretation of results from gene editing experiments.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree in a field related to biomedical research 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.   
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of five (5) years job-related microbiological and molecular biology experience.
• Experience in maintaining and manipulating cultured cells using sterile techniques.
• Experience in designing and performing PCR experiments.
• Meticulous note-taking habits to maintain accurate and precise records.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Gene editing (Zinc finger nucleases, TALENs, or CRISPR technologies).
• Illumina sequencing – preparing DNA sequencing libraries.
• Plasmid DNA cloning.
• In-vitro transcription of RNA.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills – primary author publications and/or oral presentations.
• Mammalian tissue culture experience.
• Basic programming – running python code and scripts.

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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