Research Associate III - Pharmacology

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.

(HJF) invites applications for a Research Associate III in the Day laboratory within the Pharmacology Department. The role focuses on researching normal tissue repair processes and how fibrotic remodeling alters regeneration, with the aim of identifying therapeutic targets for wound healing relevant to military and civilian medicine.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in an area of biological sciences is required.
• Minimum of 6-8 years experience required.
• Knowledge of extremely complex laboratory procedures.
• Experience in conducting research in the field of radiation biology or a related area.
• Research Associate training is especially preferred.
• Ability to meet deadlines of projects.
• Good communication and analytical skills.
• Basic laboratory experience including using a balance, a pH meter, and standard laboratory micropipetors.
• Previous experience in animal handling required.
• Must have previous lab record keeping experience.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals relevant to the research may be expected.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Responsibilities

• Schedules and performs complex irradiation animal experiments with mice, minipigs, and nonhuman primates.
• Performs techniques to analyze tissue and cellular responses to radiation (IHC, Western blotting, etc.).
• Maintains detailed records of procedures and observations.
• Keeps a detailed logbook of experiments and animal health scores.
• Calculates drug/chemical concentrations for animal care.
• Uses statistics to analyze data and graph results.
• Maintains a comprehensive publications database.
• Participates in method development to improve reliability of results.
• Teaches graduate/medical students and advises staff on techniques.
• Collaborates in planning research protocols and prepares reports for IACUC and publication.
• Prepares data for presentations and grant reports.
• Operates and maintains laboratory equipment and ensures safety.

Skills

Lab procedures

Communication

Analytical skills

Time management

Animal handling

Record keeping

Education

Master's degree in biological sciences

Tools

pH meter

Balance

Micropipettes

Immunohistochemistry

Western blotting

Job description

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Research Associate III to perform research and/or development in collaboration with other scientific and technical staff. Exercise technical discretion in the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments that contribute to project strategies. Provide training and guidance for lower level Research Associates and laboratory staff.

This position will be in support of The Day laboratory in The Pharmacology Department. The laboratory is dedicated to understanding normal tissue repair processes and how the repair process is altered in fibrotic remodeling. Normal tissue regeneration for wound healing is a critical focus of research for the military as well as for the medical field in general. The long term goal of the laboratory is to understand the mechanisms of repair failure and fibrotic repair and to identify therapeutic agents to prevent and/or treat this disease.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Schedules and performs complex irradiation animal experiments with mice, minipigs, and nonhuman primates. Live animal techniques include scoring, handling, sedating, euthanizing, blood draws, and administration of gavage, i.v. and s.q. injections.
• Performs experimental techniques to analyze tissue and cellular responses to radiation which might include immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and a number of other biochemical assays.
• Maintains detailed and organizes records of experimental procedures and observations for the various studies.
• Keeps a detailed logbook of all experiments and is responsible for maintaining records of all animal health check scores and dermatitis scores for all animal experiments.
• Has sufficient math skills for calculating concentrations of drugs and chemicals used for treatment and care of the animals.
• Employs statistical methods to analyze experimental data, to calculate averages, SD and SEM from data, and to graph data, and to calculate significance using a computer program.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of relevant publications and research findings.
• Participates in the development of new methods and techniques to enhance the reliability of research results or to accommodate experimental conditions.
• Participates in the teaching of graduate or medical students or other senior research staff the techniques used in the animal research in which the incumbent is involved and advises members of the technical staff of this particular research.
• Serves as a member of a research team and collaborates in execution of experimental procedures, conducts literature searches, assists in planning research protocols, and in preparing reports of investigations for IACUC reports and for publication.
• Analyzes and prepares data for presentation at laboratory group meetings and scientific meetings.
• Contributes to the preparation of grant reports, abstracts, grant proposals and manuscripts for publication.
• Operates and maintains complex instrumentation and equipment needed for the animal care, maintains and acquires reagents and expendable materials for operation of the laboratory, maintains safety and preventive measures in the laboratory, ensures the cleanliness of the laboratory space used.
• The incumbent performs many of the duties of this position with minimal supervision.

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in an area of biological sciences is required for this position.
• Minimum of 6-8 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of extremely complex laboratory procedures.
• Experience in conducting research in the field of radiation biology or a related area
• Research Associate training is especially preferred
• Ability to meet deadlines of projects.
• Good communication and analytical skills.
• Have basic laboratory experience including using a balance, a pH meter, and standard laboratory micropipetors.
• Previous experience in animal handling required.
• Must have previous lab record keeping experience.
• Experience as reflected by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals as appropriate to his/her research
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Physical Capabilities

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $67,500-$91,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.