Staff Scientist

Children's National Medical Center; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 73,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Life/AD&D and long-term disability

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Fitness resources

Employee assistance

Job summary

Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC seeks a Staff Scientist to support electrophysiology and imaging projects across NIH-funded studies. The role emphasizes slice patch clamp, neuronal cultures, and in vivo neuronal activity recordings in behaving animals, with preferred in vivo Ca2+ imaging using fiber photometry or miniscope.

You’ll contribute to data planning, analysis, and collaboration within the Center for Neuroscience Research.

Qualifications

• Next-Generation sequencing, bioinformatics, molecular genetics.
• A strong foundation in experimental design and data analysis is required.
• Experience with animal models and translational research is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research and development of new sequencing assays under PI guidance.
• Plans and manages experiments, records observations, and analyzes results.
• Mentors staff, students and fellows in laboratory procedures and grant-writing support.
• Maintains compliance with federal and institutional regulations and training requirements.
• Collaborates across teams to improve efficiency and scientific output.
• Contributes to publications and grant applications.

Skills

Electrophysiology

Patch-clamp

Neuronal cultures

In vivo imaging

Fiber photometry

Miniscope

Ca2+ imaging

Neuronal activity recordings

Education

Ph.D.

M.D.

Master's degree with 3 years experience

Job description

111 Michigan Avenue NorthwestWashington, DC 20010

Kids Are Our Everything.

Department

10403 Ctr for Neuroscience Research

Pay Range

$73,195.20 - $121,971.20

The Center for Neuroscience Research in the Children's Research Institute at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC is seeking a Staff Scientist to assist individual labs in electrophysiology and imaging experiments supporting ongoing NIH-funded projects. The ideal candidate will have expertise in both ex vivo and in vivo electrophysiology with demonstrated skills in slices patch clamp and neuronal cultures as well as in neuronal activity recordings in behaving animals. Prior experience with in vivo Ca++ imaging via fiber
photometry and/or miniscope in animal models is also desired. The candidate will be also be expected to contribute to the planning and analyses of experimental data, and to participate in the broader intellectual community of the Center for Neuroscience Research.

The position presents multiple opportunities for career growth and eventual development of independent projects. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative and supportive environment with access to exceptional state-of-the-art cores. The Center for Neuroscience at the Children's Research Institute is renowned for strengths in animal models of CNS development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and brain injury.

The Staff Scientist I is a junior career research position that reports to the principal investigator. The Staff Scientist I conducts research of significant scientific value in the basic or translational sciences and brings specialized skills, knowledge and experience to research programs or core laboratories. This position performs a variety of laboratory research, education and management tasks, including training technical staff, students, fellows and physicians in laboratory procedures and assisting the principal investigator in writing grant applications and publications.

Minimum Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (Required)

Medical Doctor (M.D.) (Required)

Master's Degree with 3 years of relevant work experience (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

At least two to four years of progressive specialized post-doctoral experience. (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Next-Generation sequencing, bioinformatics, molecular genetics.

Functional Accountabilities

Responsible Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.

• Plans, conducts and manages research projects within federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.

• Uses research funds and resources appropriately.

• Maintains confidentiality of data as required.

• Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.

Research

• Conducts research and development of new next generation sequencing clinical assays.

• Uses accepted methods and techniques, solves well-defined problems and performs specific and limited portions of broader projects under the technical guidance of the principal investigator and the senior staff scientist.

• Conducts experiments in the laboratory that include developing new methods, taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling and processing data, and analyzing results.

• Assists with data analysis and management.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Uses accepted methods and techniques, solves well-defined problems and performs specific and limited portions of broader projects under the technical guidance of the principal investigator and the senior staff scientist.

• Conducts experiments in the laboratory that include developing new methods, taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling and processing data, and analyzing results.

• Conducts research and development of new next generation sequencing clinical assays.

• Assists with data analysis and management.

• Interacts in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals and may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; networks primarily within own technical peer group.

Benefits That Support You

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
• Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
• Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Why Join Us

• Nationally Recognized Excellence - Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children's Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
• Leading Pediatric Care - One of the largest and most comprehensive children's hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.
• Innovation & Research - A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.
• Mission-Driven Culture - Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams.

The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children's National believes an individual's base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children's National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual's combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children's National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.

Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The "Know Your Rights" poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here:Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.

Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a "drug-free" work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.