Lab Animal Research Associate

Employee Type: exempt full-time

Division:
Laboratory Animal Science 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.

Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

The Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for animal research performed at the National Cancer Institute at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. LASP executes this mission by providing a broad spectrum of state‑of‑the‑art technologies and services focused on the design, generation, characterization, and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease.

The Animal Research Technical Support (ARTS) team within LASP utilizes advanced methodologies to perform research into the development of new cancer models, targeted diagnostics, and cancer therapies.

As a Research Associate, you will be working closely with a diverse team in a fast‑paced environment on multiple basic and translational cancer research projects simultaneously. Types of studies include tumorigenesis, toxicity, PK/PD, cancer treatment and vaccine efficacy studies on xenograft/allograft, PDX, or genetically engineered mouse models. Responsibilities include taking lead on the in vivo portions of studies from start to finish, including project planning, conducting experiments, recording, and creating detailed study reports, and updates for the investigators.

Research Associates coordinate and communicate study details and scheduling with other core facilities, team members, and management.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Performing rodent colony management and maintenance of real‑time animal colony database (TOPAZ).
• Designing optimal breeding strategies based on genotyping results.
• Independently designing and scheduling experimental studies.
• Performing experiments including surgical procedures utilizing experimental compounds and chemical carcinogens.
• Performing injections via various routes including s.c., i.p., i.v., and oral gavage.
• Monitoring phenotypes and treatment responses.
• Performing detailed necropsy procedures to collect blood and tissues.
• Collecting and recording tumor measurements and body weights utilizing electronic instruments and databases.
• Working with potentially hazardous radiological, chemical, and biological materials.
• This is a change-in facility.

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in a field related to biomedical research or four (4) years equivalent experience in the appropriate field in lieu of degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• In addition to educational requirements, a minimum of two (2) years’ job‑related biomedical experience.
• Experience in rodent breeding colony management and associated procedures.
• Experience in performing experimental procedures including injections and compound administration.
• Experience working with various tumor models.
• Ability to maintain precise, accurate records utilizing different software platforms.
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures for animal facilities…