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 that are focused on the design, generation, characterization and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease, which are aimed at the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies. LASP contributes to advancing human health, developing new treatments, and improving existing treatments for cancer and other diseases while ensuring safe and humane treatment of animals. The Mouse Model Core (MMC) Laboratory provides assistance to the scientific community with the generation of genetically engineered mice (GEM), offering a complete array of services aimed at the successful generation of transgenic and gene-targeted mice, and their expansion and cryopreservation. The Pronuclear injection is an all-encompassing service, covering all the steps from receipt of a recombinant DNA construct containing the transgene of interest to the delivery of breeding-age transgenic founder mice. The gene targeting service is an all-inclusive service that is initiated with electroporation of the vector of interest into the embryonic stem cells (ESCs), followed by production of germline progeny. Other services offered by the MMC Laboratory include: Generation of large cohort of GEMs for experimental use, microinjection of targeted mouse ESCs into blastocysts, de novo generation of ESCs from established mouse models, strain reconstitution from cryopreserved germplasm, rederivation of mouse strains to Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) status. In addition, the MMC laboratory is responsible for cell culture services that include the receipt of tumor cell lines and submission for MTBM, tumor dissociation, culture and expansion of cell lines for planned experiments, isolation of primary cells from mouse tissue, cryopreservation of stock vials for long-term storage, and preparation of cell lines for injection and transplantation. KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES The Research Associate will be responsible for performance of cell culture as well as molecular biology procedures within the MMC. Duties include: Cell culture, maintenance, and expansion. Isolation and culture of primary cells Transfection of cell lines Cell line cryopreservation, quality assurance, quantification, and quality assessment Submission of frozen vials to the Central Repository Basic Molecular Biology tasks such as DNA extraction and restriction digests Southern blot analysis and PCR General laboratory tasks such as preparation of buffers and reagents Maintenance of the MMC database and sample tracking. Supervision of junior staff Occasional work with rodents following ACUC training and certification BASIC QUALIFICATIONS This is a dual level requisition. It may be filled at either a Research Associate I or Research Associate II . Basic Qualifications for a Research Associate I: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education); Foreign degrees must be evaluated for US equivalency In addition to the educational requirements, a minimum of two (2) years of directly relevant experience Basic Qualifications for a Research Associate II: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education); Foreign degrees must be evaluated for US equivalency In addition to the educational requirements, a minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant experience Both Levels will require: Proficiency is the use of sterile techniques Strong background in Cellular Biology Experience working independently in a fast-paced scientific environment Experience writing, editing and following protocols Ability to maintain precise and accurate records Ability to wear personal protective equipment Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of cell culture techniques Knowledge of cell staining and quantification Cell and Molecular Biology background Experience working with laboratory animals (rodents) Strong familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of computer software (Word, Excel, and Outlook) or comparable Excellent organization skills Excellent written and oral communication skills Excellent attention to detail and the ability to multi-task Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)