Biology Lab Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, including molecular cloning, in vitro transcription, DNA/RNA analysis, protein expression in microbial systems, and protein purification and plasmid engineering.
• Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
• Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
• Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
• Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
• 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.
• Research and recommend for implementation new lab capabilities to generate an optimize new RNA vector molecules.
• Establish biochemical and cell-based assays to evaluate RNA specific activity and expression of therapeutic antibodies and antigens.
• 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.
• Maintain deep understanding of research methodologies and the latest trends and developments in molecular and celluar biological testing and research.
• Provide input for software programs to support predictive modeling of molecular biological expressions.
• Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures.
• Collaborate with professional and academic societies, associations and organizations to identify new approaches to diagnostic testing and prepare recommendations for adoption.
• Produce final reports and presentations of experiments and findings for distribution internally among researchers and senior
• administrators.
• Write scholarly articles for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.
• Develop and present original research findings and professional and scientfic conferences and workshops.
• Review and edit papers, reports, presentations and articles produced by other researchers for distribution internally and externally.
• Perform peer review of internally produced research findings and articles.
• Perform experiments involving molecular biological methods and those involving other pharmacological or biological techniques 1
• Conduct experiments using the following Techniques and procedures: Northern and Southern blotting, mammalian tissue culture,
• DNA sequencing; genomic cDNA library screening, restriction enzyme analysis, synthesis of cDNA probes for hybridization, synthesis of DNA plasmids, gene cloning, PCR analysis, transfection, expression and purification of cloned proteins, receptor expression and mutagenesis, pharmacological studies of expressed receptor binding and activity, assess cellular signaling cascades, prepare cell preparations both cultured cells and from animal tissues, receptor radioligand studies, perform required in vivo studies 2
• Investigate research objectives relevant to overall goals of the laboratory; locate and review the literature pertinent to the project to identify the most applicable protocols and methods 3
• Develop research objectives; plan and develop experiments and experimental protocols
• Recommend methods; develop and modify methods and procedures for conducting the project
• Keep abreast of pertinent literature; extract relevant details; incorporate appropriate concepts and techniques into research activities and experiments
• Determine problems or deficiencies in methodology or protocols; take appropriate corrective action
• Evaluate new and unfamiliar methods or protocols
• Determine the time and resources required to perform the experiments; participate in the establishment of plans and schedules
• Select and order specific kind and number of animals, media, buffers, reagents, tissue samples and other materials needed
• Consult with other laboratories in requesting and obtaining reagents
• Set up the laboratory; ensure that instrumentation is in good working order and is properly calibrated
• Arrange for use of equipment in other laboratories as necessary.
• Perform experiments in accordance with protocols.
• Periodically evaluate progress of experiments to ensure they are proceeding as planned.
• Analyze results; determine if data generated is accurate and meets the goals of the experiments
• Compare results with previous studies to verify validity
• Identify unusual or unexpected results; determine probable causes
• Rerun experiments; modify conditions as necessary.
• Discuss the results of experiments with staff
• Develop methods for and collect, organize and record experimental data in a form suitable for publication and future reference
• Maintain complete, detailed records of all experiments performed in a notebook or other journal form for future publication or reference by other staff
• Recreate each experiment describing protocols, methods and procedures used; include summaries of data obtained and descriptions of any problems of unusual situations encountered in carrying out the experiment
• Perform scientific literature searches; write and submit research papers to peer-reviewed scientific journals; contribute to collaborative projects with other laboratories and departments.
• Prepare weekly updates on on-going experiments and tasks; provide progress notes on assigned projects; submit final progress reports and future directions on projects; prepare short resumes on scientific questions
• Attend laboratory meetings; present findings and results; produce presentation slides for meetings
• Organize summary data and write initial draft of papers or abstracts for meetings
• Work products and documents related to performing experiments involving molecular biological, pharmacological and biological techniques; review literature; develop and modify research objectives; keep abreast of pertinent literature.
• Work products and documents related to evaluating new and unfamiliar methods and protocols; determine time and resources needed; select and order animals, media, buffers, reagents, tissue
• samples and other materials; set up laboratory and instrumentation and equipment.
• Work products and documents related to evaluating progress of experiments; analyze results and data; compare results with previous studies; identify unusual or unexpected results and causes; rerun experiments.
• Work products and documents related to collecting, organizing and recording data; maintain notebook; summarize data obtained and descriptions of problems; perform literature searches
• Work products and documents related to preparing updates, progress notes, final progress reports and short resumes; attend meetings; present findings and results; produce presentation slides for meetings.
• Work products and documents related to preparing data for papers and initial drafts of submitted papers or abstracts rom work that involved in Inspect Equipment.
• Meet with lab members to present updates.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology or a related discipline
• Three years of specialized experience plus a Master's degree is equivalent to a Ph.D.
• Minimum of four years of laboratory experience
• Expertise in molecular biology techniques, cellular signaling methods, and knowledge of molecular pharmacology
• Strong expertise in PCR, antibody techniques, production of recombinant proteins, cell culture, standard molecular biological techniques (hybridization, Northern, Southern Blot, vectors-insertion, ligation, expression, restriction enzyme digests).
• Knowledge of molecular biologic techniques to analyze gene structure, sequence and design of receptor mutagenesis studies.
• Knowledge of cellular signaling methodologies and proper laboratory disposal methods and safety procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records and skilled in MS Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong presentation, self-motivational, analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with non-technical and technical staff
• Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job, email us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

This position is contingent upon contract award.