Laboratory Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Position Objective: Provide services as a Laboratory Technician Assistant in support of the overall functions of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Laboratory Technician Assistant plans, executes, and arranges laboratory experiments, new techniques and procedures; and perform laboratory techniques relating to scientific research. Operate laboratory equipment; prepares specimens and equipment for use, performs minor/preventive maintenance; updates staff on equipment problems, all issues and requirements. Collect, prepare, and manage samples. Analyzes, documentation on procedures with detailed reporting for use by senior staff. Provides laboratory experience needed to order, maintain and sterilize laboratory supplies . Maintains the inventory of laboratory supplies and initiates purchase orders. Advises staff in performing routine laboratory tests and procedures

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform fundamental procedures required for research projects. 2
• Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures. 4
• Perform experiments on samples according to protocols. 5
• Perform routine experiments and tests; follow established procedures and protocols.
• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis. 3
• Perform primary cell culture techniques and immunohistochemistry.
• Work with staff on the maintenance of laboratory cell lines.
• Work with staff on processing specimens for embedding according to protocols.
• Prepare materials and equipment for experiments.
• Maintain stocked supplies and records of working reagents, including fixatives, buffers, solvents and staining.
• Process and organize multiple samples simultaneously.
• Work with a variety of routine and specialized laboratory instruments and equipment in the laboratory.
• Ensure that all specimens and equipment necessary for experiments are available and in good order.
• Prepare specimens and equipment for use in the laboratory.
• Perform processing, description and analysis of specimens.
• Store new samples, update database, retrieve samples with proper authorization.
• Upkeep sample and database inventory; monitor overall sample inventory.
• Perform quality control procedures necessary to ensure the accuracy of each test system, sample processing, storage and inventory of samples.
• Maintain inventory system and sample storage according to outlined guidelines.
• Ensure that policies and procedures regarding sample retrieval and use are followed.
• Perform processing, description and analysis of samples.
• Work with staff to implement storage and distribution of biological samples for future scientific research.
• Retrieve, catalog and process samples including but not limited to blood and tumor tissue.
• Update and maintain written laboratory record of the work.
• Collect and enter research data into laboratory notebooks and databases.
• Assemble, manipulate and format test results.
• Maintain and update laboratory notebooks and databases; and enter experimental data into spreadsheet and conduct statistical analysis.
• Collect data and prepare for analysis and interpretation.
• Work with staff on the maintenance of laboratory logs and databases.
• Analyze, summarize and interpret data obtained from research studies; evaluate for completeness and validity.
• Interpret results of initial analysis to reveal conclusions and shortcomings.
• Convey and discuss research results with team lab members.
• Ensure that supplies and consumables are ready and on hand as necessary for maximum efficiency in the laboratory. 1
• Clean glassware and microscopic slides.
• Clean and sterilize laboratory equipment such as glasses, metal instruments, sinks, tables and test panels.
• Ensure that adequate clean inventory is available for immediate usage.
• Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Perform routine analysis and tests on specimens in the laboratory.
• Perform experiments on samples according to protocols.
• Perform routine experiments and tests; follow established procedures and protocols.
• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Perform primary cell culture techniques and immunohistochemistry.
• Follow established procedures and protocols; utilize aseptic technique to perform experiments.
• Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescence/ immunohistochemistry.
• Monitor and inventory routine laboratory supplies; ensure that supplies are stocked and organized.
• Manage the laboratory logistics and supply flow by tracking the consumption of laboratory materials.
• Monitor inventory levels and proper storage of materials and supplies in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain a record of laboratory supply usage.
• Inventory laboratory supplies and equipment, make recommendations and prepare purchase requests.
• Receiving equipment and supply deliveries, packing slips and order tracking
• Plan and organize requests for basic and extraordinary laboratory needs for supplies and consumables.
• Ensure that supplies and consumables are ready and on hand as necessary for maximum efficiency in the laboratory.
• Work with staff to maintain stocked supplies and records of working reagents, including fixatives, buffers, solvents and staining.
• Ensure that reagents are made correctly and that expired reagents or defective products are replaced to ensure validity of results.
• Order and maintain laboratory supplies, reagents and equipment.
• Performs routine equipment maintenance.
• Monitor and maintain contracts for laboratory equipment and monitor equipment performance and maintenance schedule.
• Monitor equipment performance and maintenance schedules.
• Assist in troubleshooting and calibrating various laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Coordinate general laboratory maintenance, including equipment upkeep and calibration.
• Perform regularly scheduled maintenance on and generate maintenance reports for equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Perform laboratory maintenance tasks, including scheduling liquid waste container pickup.
• Perform calibration, run controls and enter results for various equipment.
• Plan execute and arrange laboratory experiments, new techniques and procedures; and performs laboratory techniques relating
• to scientific research.
• Perform fundamental procedures required for research projects.
• Follow established procedures and protocols; utilize aseptic technique to perform experiments.
• Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Perform experiments on samples according to protocols.
• Perform routine experiments and tests; follow established procedures and protocols.
• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Perform primary cell culture techniques and immunohistochemistry.
• Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescence/ Immunohistochemistry.
• Perform routine analysis and tests on specimens in the laboratory.
• Analyzes, documents and reports on all procedures performed and produces detailed reports for use by senior staff.
• Provide experimental progress updates on procedures performed in the laboratory.
• Prepare reports and summaries based on results and findings.
• Collect, analyze and interpret data; prepare summaries and reports based on results and findings.
• Prepare reports and summaries; prepare data for presentation at laboratory meetings.
• Record details of experimental procedures, results and protocols.
• Present results and conclusions in written, tabular and graphic form.
• Monitor equipment performance and maintenance schedules.
• Perform regularly scheduled maintenance on and generate maintenance reports for equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Perform laboratory maintenance tasks, including scheduling liquid waste container pickup.
• Coordinate general laboratory maintenance, including equipment upkeep and calibration.
• Perform calibration, run controls and enter results for various equipment.
• Monitor and maintain contracts for laboratory equipment and monitor equipment performance and maintenance schedule.
• Provide technical help and expertise to lab members.
• Provide one-on-one and group training related to safety standards on usage and disposal of chemicals and reagents.
• Provide training to staff on the performance of laboratory experiments, assays and protocols.
• Train new staff on the use, calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Train new laboratory members in the correct use of equipment, application of techniques and laboratory protocols.
• Work with staff to monitor and ensure that appropriate laboratory safety courses and certifications for staff are up to date.
• Distribute educational and outreach materials to laboratories as part of routine safety surveys.
• Engage in problem solving as required to solve technical difficulties and to ensure steady progress, with a goal of providing high quality experimental data suitable for publication.
• Troubleshoot issues with technical procedures; utilize trial and error methods customize protocols to the biological systems utilized in the laboratory.
• Create and maintain a research tracking system and database for all research activities, daily records of experiments and results, including research documentation.
• Clean Equipment
• Inspect Equipment
• Meet with lab members to present updates
• Monitor lab supply inventory, prepare orders, tracking and receiving

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences or other related field
• 1 to 10 years of experience in Life Sciences
• Experience working with lab equipment
• Performing biological research
• Knowledge in managing hazardous waste
• Skilled in NIH POTS  
•  Experience with Ms Office Suite

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to multi-task and pay close attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

*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 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.