NIH -SOAR- NINDS- Animal Biologist Small Animals

Overview:

Axle Informatics is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations around the globe. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Overall Position Summary and Objectives The purpose of the requirement is to support the lab's mission critical needs including those of an animal biologist and technician. Location- Bethesda, MD

DELIVERABLES

Meet with lab members to present updates - Weekly

Work products and documents related to maintaining and culturing human and mouse cancer cell lines for in vitro experiments; prepare mouse and human tumor cells for in vivo tumor implantations; perform animal work. - Daily

Work products and documents related to maintaining records of all experiments in laboratory notebook; maintain stocks of available cancer cell lines in liquid nitrogen and update inventory; maintain and catalog recombinant DNA stocks, plasmids and vectors, flow cytometry antibody stocks and tissue bio-specimens - Daily

Work products and documents related to perform histology and histological labeling techniques including immunostaining; operate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment. - Daily

Work products and documents related to analyzing data and prepare presentations for NIH, regional and national meetings; attend laboratory meetings and present findings to staff; work with staff on general laboratory maintenance and work with vendors to ensure equipment maintenance agreements are in place to repair and maintain proper function. - Daily

STATEMENT OF WORK DETAILS

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

Maintain and culture human and mouse cancer cell lines for in vitro experiments as well as prepare mouse and human tumor cells for in vivo tumor implantations

Perform work on human specimens in support of ongoing clinical trials, including PBMC isolation, single cell disassociation of tumor tissue, rtPCR, PCR, western blots, immunohistochemistry, immune fluorescence, RNA-in situ hybridization, and others

Maintain records of all experiments in laboratory notebook; maintain stocks of available cancer cell lines in liquid nitrogen and update inventory; as well as maintain and catalog recombinant DNA stocks, plasmids and vectors, flow cytometry antibody stocks and tissue bio-specimens

Collaborate with staff to perform histology and histological labeling techniques including immunostaining and any other duties related to carrying out duties such or assisting with ordering

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

Develop and maintain a spreadsheet of animal breeding records; record lineage, genotype, birth, death and experimental use of each animal

Independently perform genotyping of animals

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

Perform animal work, including monitoring and treatment of tumor-bearing mice, handling mice for injection of tumor cells and drug treatments, intraperitoneal drug injections and oral gavage, tail vein injections, subcutaneous saline injections, measurement of tumors, weight checks, tumor harvest and assessment of health status

Maintains animal colonies.

Communicate and collaborate with investigators regarding colony and support duties

Work with staff to maintain, breed, genotype and phenotype transgenic animal colony; maintain records of animal colony

Performs simple surgeries on animals.

Perform complex surgical techniques, necropsies, blood and tissue sample collection

Prepare animals for surgery and ensure proper disposal of animal carcasses

Prepares and analyzes animal tissues.

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

Maintain and culture human and animal cancer cell lines for experiments

Perform cell membrane experiments on the cell culture systems

Performs molecular biology techniques.

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

Perform molecular biology and cloning techniques, tissue histochemistry and immunohistochemistry

Analyzes experimental data.

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

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

Edits and writes research papers and protocols.

Prepare reports and manuscripts based on experimental results - 4

Document information on procedures, modifications and methods for input into final publication and presentations of findings at meetings - 5

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 - 3

Document all laboratory procedures, experiments and results; maintain and update laboratory notebooks and databases - 2

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

Qualification:

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in Molecular Biology or a related field.

Master's degree in Biology or other related discipline. Three (3) years of specialized ex-perience plus a Bachelor's degree is equivalent to a Master's degree.

Certifications & Licenses - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Background in molecular techniques, demonstrate ability to perform experiments independently and with minimal supervision.

Ability to evaluate own results and those of others, including those in published literature.

Proficiency in the operation of computer and general data acquisition programs.

Ability to rapidly acquire knowledge in new fields and to understand and, if necessary, adapt published procedures to own needs.

Excellent time management skills required.

Strong written and oral communication skills.

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 description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individual's assigned to this position or job description. 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 description or responsibilities as needed.