Cardiac Organoid Research Associate II

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 72,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is seeking a Research Associate II in the SOM Cardiac Laboratory to advance iPSC-derived cardiac organoids. The role focuses on development, optimization, and quality control of organoid production workflows with strong experimental design and documentation.

The candidate will independently execute complex protocols, train staff, and collaborate across teams to standardize methodologies for translational research in cardiac tissue engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years relevant experience; U.S. equivalency required.
• Minimum 5 years of cardiac organoid biology or related experience.
• Basic Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Preferred: degrees in Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Stem Cell Biology.
• Experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture and organoid differentiation.
• Experience with 3D culture systems and cardiac organoids.
• Experience with immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, qPCR.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform complex iPSC maintenance, differentiation, and cardiac organoid generation.
• Develop and validate cardiac organoid culture protocols and assays.
• Maintain and evaluate quality of human pluripotent stem cell cultures.
• Characterize organoids using immunofluorescence, microscopy, qPCR, flow cytometry.
• Implement functional assays to evaluate organoid function.
• Develop SOPs, documentation, and lab workflows for reproducibility.
• Provide training and guidance to junior lab personnel.
• Collaborate with SOM team to standardize methodologies.
• Contribute to scientific reports and publications.

Skills

Cardiac organoid biology

iPSC culture

Troubleshooting complex experiments

Quality control

SOPs development

Training junior staff

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree (CHEA) or four years relevant experience

Bachelor's or master's degree in Cell Biology / Biomedical Engineering / Molecular Biology / Biotechnology

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is seeking a Research Associate II in the SOM Cardiac Laboratory to advance iPSC-derived cardiac organoids. The role focuses on development, optimization, and quality control of organoid production workflows with strong experimental design and documentation.

The candidate will independently execute complex protocols, train staff, and collaborate across teams to standardize methodologies for translational research in cardiac tissue engineering.