Scientist II, Standardized Organoid Modeling Center

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 103,100 - 147,767; Full time

Job summary

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research seeks highly qualified researchers in the Laboratory Animal Science Program (LASP) at Ft Detrick. The role emphasizes tissue engineering and biomedical engineering to support organoid modeling and preclinical research.

Applicants should have a PhD with at least two years of related experience, strong publication records, and the ability to obtain security clearance.

Qualifications

• PhD required; foreign degrees evaluated for US equivalency.
• 2+ years of related experience.
• Expert knowledge of tissue or biomedical engineering principles.
• Experience with laboratory protocols, data collection, and record-keeping.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals and demonstrated scientific impact.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Proficiency with Office software and advanced analyses tools.

Responsibilities

• Execute pre-clinical research and development strategies.
• Develop methods and evaluation criteria with independent judgment.
• Apply expert scientific principles to projects.
• Contribute scientific and technical expertise for new technologies.
• Act as a resource for less experienced colleagues.
• Troubleshoot experiments and critical assignments.

Skills

Tissue engineering

Biomedical engineering

Experimental design

Data analysis

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Statistical software

Job description

Job ID: req4623

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 NIH 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.

Key Roles/Responsibilities

• Executing all pre-clinical scientific research and/or development strategies.
• Exercising independent judgment in developing methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Applying expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts.
• Contributing scientific and technical expertise through experimental and computational approaches to support the development of novel technologies, inventions, and products.
• Acting as a resource for colleagues with less experience.
• Exercising latitude in troubleshooting experiments and approaches to critical assignments.
• Maintaining broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
• Making major contributions to scientific literature and conferences.
• Considering multiple perspectives and future impact of research and/or development.
• Solving unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on business.
• May participate in development of patent applications.
• Interfacing with various departments and serves as internal consultants.
• Accountable for meeting pre-set, specific targets which will impact discipline.

Basic Qualifications

• Possession of a PhD degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years of related experience.
• Expert knowledge of tissue engineering or biomedical engineering principles.
• Expert in performing basic and advanced laboratory techniques germane to tissue engineering, biomedical engineering, and cell-based assays.
• Experience executing laboratory protocols, collecting and documenting experimental data, and maintaining accurate laboratory records.
• Experience operating standard biomedical laboratory equipment and performing routine quality control procedures.
• Experience analyzing and reporting experimental results.
• Extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals, with demonstrated impact on the field.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one relevant scientific discipline with a sustained record of significant scientific accomplishments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and advanced software for statistical analyses, scientific computing, engineering design, or –omics analyses.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Must possess basic Microsoft Office skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in one or more of the following areas: organoid engineering, tissue engineering, biomaterials manufacturing, extracellular matrix processing, bioreactor design and engineering, development of cell-based and/or molecular assays, biomedical optics, bioprinting/biophotonics, and prevascularization approaches.
• Competency in at least one additional area from the list above.
• Proficiency or competency in a total of at least three areas from the list above.

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. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. The posted pay range for this job is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Pay range: USD 103,100.00 – 147,767.00 per year.