Research Associate I - ACVP

Job

Employee Type: exempt full-time

Division: AIDS & Cancer Virus 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.

The AIDS and Cancer Virus Program (ACVP) is an integrated, multidisciplinary program that pursues basic and applied studies aimed at improving our understanding of AIDS-associated viruses, including studies intended to facilitate the improved diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HIV infection and AIDS, and AIDS related tumors, particularly those associated with other viruses such as KSHV. The Program consists of several independent but highly interactive research Sections headed by Principal Investigators, whose work spans from fundamental molecular virology through in vitro studies, to in vivo studies in non-human primate (NHP) models, to international viral epidemiology.

The ACVP also has Research Support Core Groups (Cores) that provide critical and often unique technical support capabilities to ACVP laboratories and other laboratories within the NCI, NIH, and to extramural investigators.

• Receive, accession, label, process, aliquot, store, retrieve, and ship human biospecimens while maintaining accurate specimen identity and traceability.
• Process whole blood for separation of plasma, PBMCs, as well as oral fluid, effusions, CSF, tissues, and other OPIM.
• Perform established molecular, (quantitative real time PCR) and if needed serologic, and cell based laboratory procedures according to approved SOPs and if applicable, regulatory requirements.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and contemporaneous laboratory records, including specimen logs, assay worksheets, instrument records, reagent records, and electronic databases.
• Perform routine quality-control activities and document assay performance, control results, deviations, corrective actions, and other required quality records.
• Identify specimen, assay, equipment, or documentation issues and promptly communicate concerns to supervisory or senior laboratory staff.
• Perform minimal routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment, including function checks, N2 replenishment, thawing, temperature monitoring, and documentation of said maintenance activities.
• Monitor reagent and supply inventories, track expiration dates and lot numbers, and assist with ordering and restocking.
• Support cell culture activities, including maintenance of cell lines and preparation of cells for laboratory assays.
• Enter, review, and organize laboratory data using FMPro databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Coordinate work across multiple concurrent studies and prioritize time-sensitive specimen processing and testing activities.
• Participate in laboratory training, competency assessment, proficiency testing, audits, and continuous quality-improvement activities.
• Perform other related laboratory and administrative duties as assigned, working collaboratively with other VOS staff and external investigators to support study goals, and the laboratory’s broader research mission.

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in Biology, Virology, Immunology, related discipline, 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 two (2) years of laboratory experience.
• High organization skills are critical. VOS deals with numerous studies at once and specimens come from different institutions. Strong attention to detail and ability to meet time-sensitive testing and specimen-processing requirements.
• Multitasking, teamwork and flexibility (including eagerness to be cross trained) are important. Since VOS is a small…