Research Assoc I, Pathology in Frederick, MD

Description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for 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 state-of-the-art technologies and services that are focused on the design, generation, characterization and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease, which are aimed at the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies. LASP contributes to advancing human health, developing new treatments, and improving existing treatments for cancer and other diseases while ensuring safe and humane treatment of animals.

The Molecular Histopathology Laboratory (MHL) of LASP provides comprehensive research support for the FNLCR/NIH including hematology and blood chemistry testing, necropsy, fixed and frozen tissue processing, microtomy, cryotomy, histological staining, enzyme staining, 500+ validated immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays, custom in situ hybridization (ISH) assay development and testing.  The MHL also provides a variety of nucleic acid isolation options from frozen/fixed animal and human tissue blocks, cores, and precut slides including goal appropriate yield and quality assessments.  The MHL also has board-certified veterinary pathologists who offer integrated pathology services including consult/design of necropsy protocols, phenotyping of genetically engineered mice (GEM), immunopathology, anatomic pathology, toxicological pathology, and specimen classification/ selection for tissue microarrays or laser micro dissection (LC and LCM).  MHL staff also support a wide range of digital imaging options including bright field and fluorescent digital whole slide imaging (WSI) and digital image analyses.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performing complex Histotechnology procedures within the specialized scientific service core laboratory as a member of a high-performance project team.
• Database accession, specimen tracking, archiving, quality review, and project billing
• Small animal necropsy, tissue trim and embedding following defined standard operating procedure (SOP)
• Paraffin microtomy and OCT cryotomy, complex serial and step sectioning
• Histological staining, buffer preparation, pH assessment, and serial dilutions
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining using Leica Bond auto-stainers
• Manual and automated immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization
• Tissue microarray production, sectioning, and testing
• Nucleic acid isolation, yield and quality assessment, and analysis
• Digital whole slide imaging and digital image analysis

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 education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years related biomedical experience in a research laboratory, histology production facility laboratory, or another commercial production facility.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Histotechnology Certification (HT or HTL, American Society of Clinical Pathology(ASCP)
• Practical experience in and knowledge of any number of the following skills.
• Rodent necropsy, tissue harvest, fixation
• Hands on experience with CBC and serum chemistry using automated analyzers
• Human, non-human primate, and/or rodent tissue processing (i.e., gross, trim, infiltration processing and embedding)
• Microtomy (paraffin, plastic), cryotomy (OCT)
• Standard histological staining (e.g., H&E)
• Special histological staining (enzyme, silver, etc.,)
• In situ hybridization (ISH), Intavis Insitu Pro auto stainers
• Leica Laser capture micro dissection (LCM) and/or MMI laser cutting (LC)
• Nucleic acid isolation and analysis, PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, Agilent bio analyzer, next gen sequencing
• Bright field microscopy, fluorescent microscopy
• Leica Aperio and/or Zeiss Axioscan digital whole slide scanning and QPath, or Indica HALO image analysis software
• Ability/experience at providing expert customer service to a diverse population
• Specialized Histology or Pathology experience (e.g., expert in embryology, anatomy, toxicology)
• Specialized molecular biology experience (NanoDrop, PCR/qPCR, DNA sequencing, RNA seq, mass spec, flow cytometry)
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills as evidenced by prior publications and/or public presentations
• Strong familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of computer software (Word, Excel, and Outlook) or comparable
• GMP/GLP practices, LEAN and Six Sigma process management

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.
• This position is subject to working with or have the potential for exposure to laser emissions, requiring medical clearance.