Project Lead, Pre-Clinical Research in Frederick, MD

Description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION        

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and 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.

The Vaccine, Immunity, and Cancer Directorate (VICD) at the Frederick National Laboratory has a primary mission to provide scientific leadership and laboratory infrastructure to study immune responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and other cancer preventive strategies in the context of clinical and pre-clinical studies. More recently, VICD is also leading initiatives on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines.

The mission of the Cancer ImmunoPrevention Lab (CIPL) within the VICD is to serve as a reference and technical support laboratory, performing work necessary to advance successful immunoprevention concepts such as cancer vaccines in preclinical development towards the ultimate goal of IND and clinical evaluation.

Our core values of accountability, compassion, collaboration, dedication, integrity, and versatility serve as a guidepost for how we do our work every day in serving the public's interest. 

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Lead, Pre-Clinical Research is responsible including, but are not limited to the following:

• Design, implement, execute assigned projects with minimal supervision.
• Develop and characterize mouse models and generate primary cell lines.
• Conduct preclinical vaccine or chemopreventive agents testing in mouse models.
• Coordinate with several core facilities and collaborators for project execution.
• Serve as scientific/technical lead for the assigned projects.
• Serve as scientific/technical lead for molecular, genomic, and immuno-assay development and validation.
• Plan and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Analyze and interpret data and present findings at meetings.
• Design and implement protocols, as well as troubleshoot assays and experiments independently.
• Evaluate, analyze and compile data, maintain databases.
• Responsible for routine ordering supplies and maintaining equipment and inventories.
• Prepare documentation associated with project/objectives including SOPs, technical reports, manuscripts, and scientific presentations.
• Prepare reports, present data and participate in report and proposal preparation.
• Remain current on literature and relevant laboratory techniques.
• May supervise or train lab personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of Bachelor's degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, or related field 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 education requirement, a minimum of eight (8) years of related biomedical laboratory experience.
• Strong scientific background in cancer biology, genetics, and mouse modeling.
• Experience in cancer mouse model characterization using various technologies and in vivo therapeutics/vaccine testing in mouse models.
• Extensive experience in generating primary 2D or 3D cell lines and maintaining cells in culture.
• Experience in molecular, genomic, and immune-assay development, including protocol and report writing.
• Strong in vivo data analytic skills and experience with relevant software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Prism.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Master's or Ph.D. in immunology, or molecular and cancer biology.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in “omics” data analysis including spatial transcriptomics and proteomics.
• Experience in drug/vaccine target identification and validation.
• Experience in microbiome sequencing and data analysis.
• Skill sets in bioinformatics/statistics methods and knowledge of coding and databases used with bioinformatic analysis (e.g., R, Python, C++, etc.)
• Team player with outstanding oral/written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently on projects with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in a team‐oriented environment.
• Ability to identify and solve complex problems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong Computer skills and experience with relevant software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Prism.
• Self-motivated and proficient in both spoken and written English.

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and/or animal material(s).
• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations.