Investigative Toxicology Research Associate III

Investigative Toxicology Research Associate III

Job ID: req4570
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Applied & Development Research 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 Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNL) is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by the prime contractor Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. FNL is responsible for pursuing a unique mission in translational and applied biomedical research that is unsuitable for academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or other federal contractors. This position is ideally suited for a person who is interested in applied Research & Development. The selected candidate will join the Investigative Toxicology Laboratory (ITL) located at the NCI-Frederick campus.

The mission of the ITL is to support the NCI Toxicology and Pharmacology Branch with laboratory investigations of anticancer drug adverse effects that inform NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP). ITL develops and implements mechanism-based, human-relevant, in vitro assays with cutting-edge technology to improve and apply translational accuracy and predictive power of organ toxicity assessments for early discovery and development of new anticancer agents, and to screen compounds for remedies that effectively prevent or reverse chemotherapeutic-induced organ toxicity.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct in vitro toxicology assays, including 2D and 3D cell culture, drug dose, endpoint analysis and data reporting to develop and qualify new workflows for identification of cellular toxicities to demonstrate fit for purpose of new NAMs models generated in the SOM center.
• Provide technical and experimental contributions to in vitro strategies to investigate cellular toxicities that complement the mission of SOM to standardize organoid model systems for in vitro experimental testing. These activities will also complement the mission of DTP to discover, develop, and characterize new anticancer drugs and their molecular targets.
• Experimental evaluation of established in vitro toxicology tools that enable high content evaluation, while developing and establishing new assays that can be used for 3D NAMs models.
• Perform thorough functional evaluations of both 2D and 3D NAMs models.
• Using current scientific and technical knowledge and experience, implement experimental strategies.
• Perform laboratory maintenance and safety tasks (e.g., equipment calibration, biological waste disposal, eyewash station inspection, etc.).
• Maintain supply and biological sample inventories (e.g., preparation of purchase orders, storage of assay reagents and samples, etc.).
• Initiate preparation/update of standard operating procedures (SOPs), study protocols, and related worksheets.
• Assist in preparation of study reports, posters, and presentations.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Possession of Bachelors 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 eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Experience culturing and evaluating both 2D and 3D NAMs models for functional characterization and response to drug challenge.
• Experience with assays needed to perform functional and morphological characterization and response to cancer drugs including multi-electrode array and high content imaging.
• Experience in the experimental investigation and assessment of adverse drug effects at the cellular, biochemical, and/or molecular level.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting and articulating experimental findings and their conclusions to project teams and more general audiences.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Experience with validation and application of established in vitro assays, and/or the development of new ones, with robust analytical performance to quantify adverse drug effects.
• Experience with sterile technique and cell culture of cell lines, primary human cells, hiPSC-derived cells, and 3D cultures such as cardiac and/or hepatic organoids.
• Knowledge and experience using cutting edge assay technologies and investigative systems including MEA and high content imaging.
• Laboratory experience with targeted agents for cancer, including immunotherapeutics.
• Experience working in a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) environment, under Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or in other structured testing laboratory settings.

JOB HAZARD

• This position is subject to working with or has the potential for exposure to animals(s) and/or animal material(s).
• 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. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here

77,600.00 - 110,959.00 USD

The posted pay range for this job is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include, but are not limited to, responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data.

The salary range posted is a full-time equivalent salary and will vary depending on scheduled hours for part time positions