Scientist

Overview

Axle is looking to add a driven, flexible, organized, and meticulous Scientist to our dynamic team. The Contractor(s) shall provide services in support of the overall functions of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), Division of Intramural Research (DIR).

Technical Requirements:

• Perform microdissections of human vessels, preparing tissues for single cell analysis of vascular cells, performing genetic manipulation of human vessels, and characterizing their function using molecular, imaging, and physiologic evaluations
• Perform cell culture of vascular cells, preparing cells for single cell analysis, performing genetic manipulation of cultured cells, and characterizing their function using molecular, imaging, and physiologic evaluations
• Perform phenotyping of vascular function in mouse models of human diseases or conditions
• Characterize protein-protein interactions involved in vascular cell signaling and pharmacologic targeting of these pathways to modify vascular function
• Develop, optimize, and conduct microdissections of human blood vessels from tissue specimens as part of IRB-approved or IRB-exempt studies.
• Develop, optimize, and conduct culture and co-culture of vascular cells.
• Develop or optimize approaches to study human vessels and/or cultured cells at the single cell level as part of IRB-approved or IRB-exempt studies.
• Perform genetic manipulation of human blood vessels ex vivo or cultured cells in vitro to express, silence, or modify genes of interest.
• Develop and apply molecular tools for confirming successful gene editing or inactivation.
• Characterize human vascular function ex vivo using myography, imaging, gene expression, and/or molecular sensors as part of IRB-approved or IRB-exempt studies.
• Characterize cultured cells using imaging, gene expression, and/or molecular sensors.
• Perform vascular phenotyping of rodent models, including mouse models of human diseases or conditions.
• Perform biochemical characterization of protein-protein interactions involved in vascular cell signaling.
• Develop and test pharmacologic approaches to target protein-protein interactions to modify vascular function in human vessels or in cell or animal models of vascular physiology or disease.
• Keep and maintain a clean and efficient working laboratory environment.
• Order and organize necessary supplies and reagents.
• Maintain laboratory notebooks with sufficient details for reproducing results and documenting progress to support intellectual property evaluations.
• Maintain laboratory safety.
• Maintain accurate sample tracking and data management.
• Perform problem solving, call technical support to fix problems, initiate service calls or repairs, and interact with field service engineers and field application specialists for repair and optimization of laboratory equipment.
• Advise and assist the Federal Task Leader and other lab staff in molecular physiologic techniques.
• Assist and perform lab projects independently.
• Discuss and report data in peer reviewed papers and with the Federal Task Leader and scientists.

Specific Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Life Sciences or a related discipline. Three (3) years of specialized experience plus a Master’s degree is equivalent to a Ph.D
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in vascular biology or a related field
• Experience working in a laboratory environment
• Experience and knowledge of maintaining accurate and detailed records, and knowledge of proper laboratory disposal methods and safety procedures