Research Associate I - SOM Cardiac Lab

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is seeking a Research Associate I to join the SOM Cardiac Tissue Engineering Laboratory. You will help generate, maintain, and characterize human iPSC-derived cardiac organoids, integrating stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and functional phenotyping to develop robust organoid models.

Working with senior scientists, you will implement standardized workflows, maintain cultures, and perform molecular and functional assays with an emphasis

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or four years of relevant experience; foreign degrees evaluated for US equivalency.
• Minimum of two years related research experience.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance, expansion, cryopreservation, and QA of human iPSC cultures following SOPs.
• Generate and characterize human iPSC-derived cardiac organoids using established methods.
• Execute experimental procedures and biological assays to support research objectives defined by senior scientists.
• Perform cellular and molecular characterization assays, including immunofluorescence, microscopy, qPCR, and sample prep.
• Assist with functional characterization of organoids, including beating activity, contractility, calcium signaling, and electrophysiology.
• Support optimization of protocols, troubleshoot issues, and improve lab efficiency and reproducibility.
• Maintain detailed experimental records including cell line info, culture conditions, and data collection.
• Compile and analyze data for lab supervisors; contribute to presentations and publications.
• Collaborate with scientists to standardize organoid production and reproducibility across the SOM Initiative.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

iPSC culture

Molecular biology techniques

Immunofluorescence

Microscopy

qPCR

Data management

Microsoft Office

Laboratory recordkeeping

Education

Bachelor's degree or 4 years related experience

Tools

None

Job description

Job ID: req4742

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 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 laboratory and 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 husbandry, veterinary, state-of-the-art technology, and pre-clinical scientific services. LASP also provides primary support to the Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Initiative to address the need for validated, scalable, and reproducible organoid-based Novel Alternative Methods (NAMs) in biomedical research. Our team provides technical infrastructure, operational integration, and specialized expertise to drive the development and optimization of organoid models of normal (non-cancerous) human tissues derived from a wide range of tissue types and donor sources.

Position Overview

The Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Initiative is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate I to join the Cardiac Tissue Engineering Laboratory, directed by Dr. Aitor Aguirre. The SOM Initiative aims to advance human organoid technologies by establishing validated, scalable, and reproducible organoid-based New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for biomedical research. The initiative focuses on developing physiologically relevant models of normal human tissues, with an emphasis on standardization, quality control, and broad applicability across research and translational settings. The successful candidate will contribute to the generation, maintenance, and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiac organoids. Our laboratory integrates stem cell biology, cardiac developmental biology, tissue engineering, and advanced functional phenotyping to develop multicellular cardiac models that reproduce key structural, cellular, and physiological features of the human heart. The Research Associate I will play an essential role in implementing standardized experimental workflows, maintaining high-quality stem cell and organoid cultures, performing molecular and functional assays, and collecting reliable scientific data. Working closely with scientists and other laboratory personnel, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of robust and reproducible cardiac organoid technologies for biomedical research.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The SOM Cardiac Tissue Engineering Laboratory offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment dedicated to advancing human organoid technologies and biomedical innovation. The successful candidate will contribute to pioneering research, develop cutting-edge technologies, establish standards for cardiac organoids, and generate high-impact scientific work. We seek highly motivated, creative, and collaborative individuals passionate about breakthrough science and advancing human disease modeling, drug discovery, and translational research.

Key Roles/Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance, expansion, cryopreservation, and quality-control assessments of human iPSC cultures following established laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Generate, maintain, and characterize human iPSC-derived cardiac organoids using established differentiation and culture methodologies.
• Execute experimental procedures and biological assays to support research objectives defined by senior scientists.
• Perform cellular and molecular characterization assays, including immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative PCR, sample preparation.
• Assist with functional characterization of cardiac organoids, including measurements of beating activity, contractility, calcium signaling, electrophysiology, and others.
• Support the optimization and refinement of experimental protocols, identify technical issues, troubleshoot routine procedures, and contribute to improvements in laboratory efficiency and reproducibility.
• Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records, including cell line information, culture conditions, reagent preparation, experimental parameters, quality-control results, and data collection.
• Compile, organize, analyze, and report experimental data to laboratory supervisors, contributing to scientific presentations, technical reports, and publications as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with laboratory scientists and personnel across the SOM Initiative to support standardized organoid production, assay implementation, and reproducible research practices.

Basic Qualifications

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

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree 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 educational requirement, a minimum of two (2) years' related research experience.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Biology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, particularly human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs or ESCs), including routine maintenance, passaging, differentiation, and cryopreservation.
• Experience with three-dimensional cell culture systems, organoids, spheroids, or tissue engineering applications.
• Familiarity with cardiovascular biology, cardiac development, stem cell biology, or regenerative medicine.
• Practical experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques, including immunofluorescence, microscopy, quantitative PCR, protein analysis, and cell viability assays.
• Experience using fluorescence microscopy, automated imaging systems, or image analysis software.
• Familiarity with cardiac organoid functional characterization.
• Experience with laboratory recordkeeping, experimental data management, quality-control procedures, and standardized research protocols.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to perform reproducible laboratory experiments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Willingness to learn new experimental techniques, adapt to evolving research needs, and contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory methodologies.

Candidates with strong cell culture skills, careful experimental practices, and an interest in stem cell biology and organoid technologies are particularly encouraged to apply.

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or has the potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, color, 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.

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here

59,600.00 - 85,400.00 USD

The posted pay range for this job is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include, but are not limited to, responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data.

The salary range posted is a full-time equivalent salary and will vary depending on scheduled hours for part time positions