Research Technician Job ID: req1361 Employee Type: nonexempt full-time Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and 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. Our core values of accountability, compassion, collaboration, dedication, integrity, and versatility serve as a guidepost for how we do our work every day in serving the public's interest. Position Overview: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 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 Molecular Histopathology Laboratory (MHL) within LASP provides comprehensive research support for the FNLCR/NIH on a fee for service basis. Offerings include hematology and blood chemistry testing, animal necropsy, fixed and frozen tissue processing, microtomy, cryotomy, histological staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). MHL staff also provide a variety of nucleic acid isolation options from frozen/fixed animal and human tissue blocks, cores, and precut slides including goal appropriate yield and quality assessments. A companion Veterinary Pathology Section (VPS) offer integrated pathology services including consult/design of necropsy protocols, phenotyping of genetically engineered mice (GEM), immunopathology, anatomic pathology, toxicological pathology, and specimen classification/ selection for tissue microarrays or laser micro dissection (LC and LCM). MHL staff also support a wide range of digital pathology imaging options including bright field and fluorescent digital whole slide imaging (WSI) and digital image analyses and a significant expansion in this specific scope of work has resulted in the need for increased highly skilled support. KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES The successful candidate will be responsible for performing histotechnology procedures within the specialized scientific service core laboratory as a member of a high-performance project team. Specific duties will include: * Database accession, specimen tracking, archiving, quality review, and project billing * Small animal necropsy, tissue trim and embedding following defined standard operating procedure (SOP) * Paraffin microtomy and OCT cryotomy, complex serial and step sectioning * Histological staining, buffer preparation, pH assessment, and serial dilutions * Digital whole slide imaging and digital image analysis BASIC QUALIFICATIONS * Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in a field related to histology, molecular biology, anatomy or biomedical research. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education) * Foreign degrees must be evaluated for US equivalency * Experience or education in a field related to histology, molecular biology, anatomy or biomedical research * Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Histotechnology Certification (HT or HTL, American Society of Clinical Pathology(ASCP). Practical experience in and knowledge of any of the following skills. * Rodent necropsy, tissue harvest, fixation * Human, non-human primate, and/or rodent tissue processing (ie, gross, trim, infiltration processing and embedding) * Microtomy (paraffin, plastic), cryotomy (OCT) * Standard histological staining (eg, H&E) including use of autostainers and cover slipping robots * Special histological staining (enzyme, silver, etc.,) * Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Leica Bond auto-stainers * Quality Control (Histology) * Leica Aperio digital whole slide scanning * Ability/experience at providing expert customer service to a diverse population * Demonstrated written and oral communication skills as evidenced by prior publications and/or public presentations * Strong familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of computer software (Word, Excel, and Outlook) or comparable * Use of a computer for database accessioning * Logistics, shipping and receiving, sample tracking, billing * Archiving/retrieval of biological specimens JOB HAZARDS * This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and/or animal material(s) * This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW) #readytowork