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SalaryOverview:
Axle is seeking a Biological Scientistto join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute on Aging (NIA) located in Bethesda, MD.
Benefits We Offer:
Overall Position Summary and Objectives
Deliverables:
Minimum Education
Master's
Additional Qualifications:
Certifications & Licenses
Field of Study
Software
Skills
Disclaimer:The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals 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.
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 on 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: careers@axleinfo.com
Axle 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 nationally and abroad. 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).
Axle is seeking a Biological Scientistto join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute on Aging (NIA) located in Bethesda, MD.
Benefits We Offer:
- 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- 401K match up to 5%
- Educational Benefits for Career Growth
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Flexible Spending Accounts:
- Healthcare (FSA)
- Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
- Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
- Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)
Overall Position Summary and Objectives
Under this task order, the contractor will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute on Aging - Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD). The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of support services.
Deliverables:
- Work products and documentation to develop molecular cloning and cell differentiation protocols. - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to developing novel tools for CRISPR interference tool development in iPSCs - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to characterizing genetic pathways for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) using human cell-based models; use IPSC lines to develop the differentiation protocols - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to evaluating the stability of differentiated cells across clines and passages to identify cell lines with desirable characteristics for subsequent cell engineering. - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to providing insight into the effects of ADRD-associated mutations on molecular readouts in cell culture; conduct independent research relating to the genetics of ADRD. - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to applying published protocols for cell differentiation to IPSC lines, microscopy, and molecular analysis - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to updating and maintaining laboratory notebooks and databases; collect, analyze, and interpret data; prepare summaries and reports based on results and findings; draft and revise manuscripts for publication; attend meetings and present results and findings for staff discussion - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documentation resulting from cell culture phenotyping of iPSC lines. - Ad- Hoc
- Work products and documents related to independent plasmid design, engineering, protocol execution, and validation of novel CRISPR tools - Ad-Hoc
Work Details:
- Independently design, troubleshoot, and carry out various molecular cloning experiments related to CRISPR nterference tool development and iPSC differentiation. 1
- Use SnapGene software to design and plan novel cloning projects. 2
- Work with staff on performing large-scale iPSC cell culture experiments. 3
- Work with staff on performing various experiments and procedures related to differentiation and phenotyping of induced pluripotent stem cell lines 4
- Work independently in designing, developing, and performing new methods. 5
- Provides technical experience needed to assist in studying the basic principles of plant and animal life
- Work with staff to characterize genetic pathways for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) using human cell-based models
- Evaluate the stability of iPSC and iPSC-derived cells across multiple engineered and non-engineered lines.
- Work with staff to apply published protocols for cell differentiation to IPSC lines, microscopy, and molecular analysis.
- Work with staff to provide insight into the effects of ADRD-associated mutations on molecular readouts in cell culture.
- Support other research projects.
- Collect, Analyze, interpret, and organize data and present results in team and departmental meetings.
- Keep detailed, organized, and accurate digital and physical experimental records.
- Update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases.
- Attend meetings and present results and findings for staff discussion.
- Assists with performing basic laboratory experiments and procedures
- Transform bacteria with agar and liquid culture.
- Perform plasmid miniprep, maxiprep, gigaprep using column-based extraction kits.
- Prepare plasmid samples for sequencing by external companies.
- Perform genomic DNA extraction using column-based extraction kits.
- Prepare custom genomic DNA libraries for next-generation sequencing.
- Collaborate with other team members to carry out large-scale cell culture protocols using manual and high throughput robotic systems.
- Transduce iPSCs with lentivirus and transfect iPSCs with plasmids as part of routine cell culture experiments.
- Perform standard immunological techniques, including western blotting and immunostaining.
- Perform flow cytometry on iPSCs
- Provide scientific and technical expertise to all visiting fellows, post-docs, and technicians internal and external.
- Mentor junior level scientists by supporting other research projects.
- Prepares, organizes and maintains various lab samples, supplies, and equipment
- Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot instruments and equipment in the laboratory.
- Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, cell culture microscopies, microanalytical balances, centrifuges, automated platforms.
- Operate, troubleshoot, and train others to use laboratory equipment and software.
- Provide assistance to laboratory staff in designing experiments, using instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and preparing figures for publication.
- Review scientific equipment and resources including reagents, stocks of frozen cells, mammalian samples including acquisition, documentation, and storage.
- Mentor junior level scientists by training them on the proper use of equipment.
- Learns new laboratory techniques and procedures
- Develop new differentiation protocols for iPSC lines to differentiate into disease-relevant cell types like neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.
- Develop image analysis routines to analyze the effects of disease-associated mutations on cellular phenotypes.
- Willing to learn how to operate, and implement novel methods on liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Biotek
- Willing to learn and maintain in-house flow cytometry machine
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked
Minimum Education
Master's
Additional Qualifications:
Certifications & Licenses
- Master's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
Field of Study
- Biology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Software
- MS Office Suite
- SnapGene
Skills
- Hands-on experience with molecular cloning design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
- Hands-on experience with cell culture in particular working with iPS cells.
- Strong communications skills, both oral and written.
- Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
- Knowledge of proper laboratory disposal methods and procedures.
Disclaimer:The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals 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.
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 on 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: careers@axleinfo.com
