Biologist

Job Details

Level: Experienced

Job Location:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Main Campus/Bethesda - Bethesda, MD 20892

Position Type:
Full Time

Education Level: Bachelors Degree

Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 Salary/year

Travel Percentage:
None

Job Shift: Day

Job Category:
Public Health

Position Objective:
The Biologist will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases within the National Institutes of Health. The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of support services.

• Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
• Operate all basic lab equipment such as computers, centrifuges, UV light box and camera, quantitation instruments, Agilent Bioanalyzer, PCR and qPCR instruments, plate reader, etc.
• Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
• Research and recommend implementation to qPCR and multiplex PCR, DNA and RNA isolation and characterization methdologies.
• Perform quality control, validation, and other quality activities to verify performance of clinical assays.
• Maintain precise and complete records of all experimental activities, to include methodologies, instrumentation and findings for future reference.
• Input accurate record of all research activties and findings in in-house databases and repositories.
• Prepare routine status updates and outcome briefings to peer researchers and senior program executives.
• Provide routine activity updates and briefings to senior researchers and program executives.
• Consult with diverse, cross-functional stakeholder groups to identify opportunities, develop problem statements and understand context to inform research strategies. 4
• Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures. 2
• Collaborate with professional and academic societies, associations and organizations to identify new approaches to diagnostic testing and prepare recommendations for adoption. 3
• Maintain deep understanding of research methodologies and the latest trends and developments in molecular and celluar biological testing and research. 5
• Knowledge of HHS agency regulations, policies, and procedures related to biospecimen management. 1
• Produce final reports and presentations of experiments and findings for distribution internally among researchers and senior administrators.
• Work with staff on scientific research experiments involving, but not limited to, molecular biology, biochemical and electrophoretic techniques, cell biology and genetics.
• Perform experiments to investigate alterations in chromatin structure and modification associated with switch recombination of the immunoglobulin loci in human cells.
• Conduct experiments designed to analyze interactions of the catalytic factors in antigen receptor gene rearrangements with other proteins, specifically with poly-ADP Ribose polymerase.
• Coordinate, develop, and implement all assigned experiments and protocols, including time and resources required; establish plans and schedules supporting the successful completion of assays; evaluate progress of experiments to ensure that they are proceeding as planned.
• Process human biospecimens including blood and urine products to be used in research and development activities.
• Make recommendations on the best storage conditions for biospecimens; ensure that matrixed environments are used to preserve and protect the specimens.
• Provide support for the acquisition and management of biological samples used for calculating energy expenditure by bomb calorimetry.
• Critically analyze results of experiments to determine whether generated data is accurate and valid; compare results with previous related studies to verify data validity
• Identify unusual or unexpected results and their probable causes; recommend rerunning experiments or modifying conditions as necessary
• Coordinate daily operations, including inventory tracking, processing, distribution, storage, withdrawal, shipment and destruction of biological material in the biorepository.
• Orient and train staff on methods and procedures used in the laboratory; instruct students, visiting scientists and others on laboratory procedures and equipment usage.
• Coordinate activities for laboratory research projects and staff. Ensure that laboratory…