SOAR - NIEHS - Animal Biologist Small Animal

Overview:

SOAR - NIEHS - Animal Biologist Small Animal

Overall Position Summary and Objectives:

The biologist will be responsible for day-to-day operation of the Laser Capture Microdissection core laboratory and will be skilled in making cryosections, basic histology staining's, immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescence, and extraction of nucleic acids from LCM material. In addition, they will have basic knowledge of molecular biology and cell culture techniques. In addition to the responsibilities in the LCM core laboratory, they will assist ongoing research activities in the Molecular Pathology laboratory and these studies can include literature review, rodent studies, necropsy, and sample collection, preparing NGS sequencing libraries, and assist in experimental validation of data. Also, they'll help in mentoring trainees.

Deliverables:

Clean Equipment - Daily

Inspect Equipment - Daily

Meet with lab members to present updates - Weekly

Work Details:

Studies the basic principles of animal life and the effects of varying environmental factors.

Coordinate husbandry, animal care and enrichment activities to maintain a clean, safe and regulatory compliant animal research program

Conducts research and performs experiments on the selection and breeding of animals.

Update animal protocol through the submission of amendments and submission of new animal protocols to ensure necessary animal work for experiments

Anticipate animal needs for lab research and colony maintenance; adjust the number of breeding pairs accordingly

Maintains animal colonies.

Handle, dissect and euthanize animals

Maintain animal colony, including general husbandry, breeding, plug checks, weaning, tagging animals, and obtaining tail or ear snips for genotyping, and euthanasia

Performs simple surgeries on animals.

Handle, dissect and euthanize animals

Prepares and analyzes animal tissues.

Perform experiments with primary tissues and cells in culture, utilizing sterile techniques

Harvest and collect animal embryos, tissues, and organs

Perform a variety of specialized tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning and staining techniques

Maintain and culture human and animal cancer cell lines for experiments

Perform analysis of animal tissues; prepare frozen slices and paraffin sections, appropriately stained to demonstrate normal and abnormal structures

Performs molecular biology techniques.

Perform a variety of specialized tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning and staining techniques

Perform genomic DNA preparation, genotyping and other analyses of animal tissues using DNA extraction and PCR

Carry out molecular biological experiments, including extracting genomic DNA, performing PCR and gel electrophoresis, cloning DNA fragments, and preparing plasmid DNA, generating high quality RNA using in vitro transcription

Perform standard molecular biology techniques, including, but not limited to, cloning, in situ hybridization and qPCR

Maintain cell lines and perform basic cell culture assays, including, but not limited to, transfection and immunocytochemistry

Performs immunohistochemistry on animal tissues.

Perform light and confocal microscopy

Perform apoptosis assays, qtr-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and molecular cloning techniques

Work with staff to process tissue for immunohistochemistry

Perform Western Blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence

Isolate and purify nucleic acid and proteins from tissue culture samples

Perform molecular biology and cloning techniques, tissue histochemistry and immunohistochemistry

Analyzes experimental data.

Update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases; collect, analyze, and interpret data

Perform quantitative analysis; data analysis, figure preparation, and image acquisition; maintain complete and detailed records of all experiments

Collect, organize, and record experimental data for publication and future reference by others

Collect, review, research, and analyze large datasets; perform experiments, utilizing various statistical applications and methods; and interpret data, assemble data into figures, and enter data into a database

Analyze and interpret scientific data from animal cell lines

Collate, edit, and archive electronic and paper laboratory files, notebooks and databases

Analyze and catalog imaging data from molecular biology and in vitro tissue culture assays

Maintain records of experimental results; work with staff to analyze and interpret data; prepare summaries of laboratory findings

Perform computer analysis and use computer software to prepare images

Edits and writes research papers and protocols.

Prepare abstracts and present posters

Prepare reports and manuscripts based on experimental results

Participate and collaborate in the preparation of scientific publications for peer reviewed journals based on the results

Document information on procedures, modifications, and methods for input into final publication and presentations of findings at meetings

Work with staff on the preparation of data and images for use in research presentations and publications

Write and edit drafts for journal submission; read manuscript drafts of other laboratory members

Compile, write and present scientific data in conferences; write articles

Edit and write research papers and protocols

Selects, devises, plans, and executes the most appropriate experiments for analysis and interpretation of data, for developing strategies, for pursuing significant observances, and for ensuring accuracy of data.

Work with staff on the modification of laboratory protocols and experiments based on literature findings 5

Search and review literature related to project; summarize and evaluate findings

Document all laboratory procedures, experiments, and results; maintain and update laboratory notebooks and databases 4

Develop, validate, perform, and interpret a variety of complex experimental techniques and procedures; work with staff to develop procedures addressing new animal study needs, logistics, modifications to standard operating procedures, and/or existing guidelines to resolve technical problems 1

Collaborate with team members to determine, evaluate, and discuss the progress of projects; point out problems and suggest solutions to problems or augmentation of experimental approaches 3

Participate in developing and performing experiments, organizing protocols, and performing technical troubleshooting

Locate and review the literature pertinent to projects to identify the most applicable protocols and methods; perform experiments in accordance with protocols

Manage oversight and progress of critical results in animal-based experiments including evaluating goal-specific phenotypes of animals; collaborate with Primary investigators and other experimental team members to determine, evaluate, and discuss the progress of projects 2

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelors

Skills (Ranked By Priority)

Laser Capture Microdissection

Cryosectioning

Histology techniques

Basic Molecular biology skills

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked

Software

MS office

Statistical software

Image analysis

Field of Study

Molecular Biology

Genetics

Environmental Science

Benefits

100% Medical Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees​

Educational Benefits for Career Growth​

Paid Time Off (Including Holidays) ​

Employee Referral Bonus ​

Profit Sharing

401K Matching​

Flexible Spending Accounts:

Healthcare (FSA)

Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)

Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)

Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

The diversity of Axle's employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment-based age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact .

Disclaimer: The above is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individual's assigned to this position or job. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job or responsibilities as needed.