Staff Scientist, NOMIS Center for Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Staff Researcher performs an integral role in the lab being a senior lab leader, helping to organize and manage research projects, facilitating and carrying out key instructive roles in research projects, and writing and submitting grants in support of the PI’s and lab members’ funding initiatives. They serve as a vital nexus between the lab scientists and the PI, with a particular emphasis on supporting grant submissions and management of grant milestones. They will be intimately involved in maintaining lab organization with the lab coordinator, budgeting and ordering, and data storage. They will also be responsible for design and execution of experimental procedures appropriate to the goals of multiple projects and work closely with other scientists in the lab to ensure sustained productivity on grants. They will help to organize complex collaborative projects, perform scientific literature evaluation to optimize design of experiments and research strategies. Additional duties include: protocol design and analysis of data, oral presentations, and reports of scientific results and progress and project supervision of students and/or postdocs in the lab.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(50%) Research and Experiment Design
- Make innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory experiments according to the goals of the research project.
- Design & execute experimental procedures, including new technologies, according to the research goals, with critical evaluation of research results.
- Collect, organize and analyze data and conduct statistical analysis.
- Manage multiple projects including organization of lab notebooks and computer files, according to project discipline.
- Perform confocal imaging and other spatial profiling methods.
- Independently perform research experiments, including establishing a nanowell, microfluidic system for measuring the function, metabolic states and RNA of single cells. Work collaboratively with and train other lab members to advance this technology in multiple projects.
- Independently establish metabolomic analyses using mass spectrometry and mass-spectrometry imaging. Work collaboratively with and train other lab members to advance this technology in multiple projects.
- Perform DNA and RNA assays, RT-PCR, and general cellular and molecular biology techniques.
- Isolate immune cells and perform immunophenotyping using mass or flow cytometry.
- Provide up-dates of research progress to faculty supervisor, in verbal and written forms.
- Conduct presentations to laboratory and collaborators.
- Prepare documents and supporting materials, including charts and graphs, for professional scientific conferences and publications in scientific journals.
- Examine and interpret scientific literature, content of web sites, and other scientific resources to maintain cutting edge research studies.
(50%) Grant, Data and Manuscript Preparation and Submissions
- Assist with grant submissions in collaboration with PI: (1) outlining Aims and Research strategies, (2) preparation of budgets and administrative sections, (3) preparation of figures for grants and (4) independently writing various grant sections.
- Assist with submission of annual grant progress reports.
- Assist PI with the overall administration of team or mutli-PI grants- PRE-AWARD- assisting with grant submissions, coordinating with multiple PIs for creation of budgets and research strategies, and administrative sections. POST-AWARD- organize and oversee monthly meetings with PI’s and lab members, ensure and track progress of grant and help with annual progress reporting.
- Assist with manuscript editing and format manuscripts to meet agency publisher guidelines.
- Prepare tables and illustrations for publication and research proposals.
- Prepare and distribute manuscripts, lab reports, lab manuals, and other materials.
EXPERIENCE
Required:
- Minimum 5 years of advanced experience in any of the following life sciences: immunology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, neurosciences, organoid biology, or computational sciences.
- 3 years of experience with NIH grant writing and submissions including writing, researching, gathering data and organizing information in order to produce clear and concise reports/grants.
- Experience analyzing and interpreting data. Experience designing new experiments as new techniques are established.
- Experience training and advising staff on research techniques.
- Experience with computational platforms such as R, Matlab or equivalent. Comfortable learning new software to analyze mass spectrometry, mass cytometry and single cell RNA-seq data.
- Experience performing molecular and cellular immunology experiments including: DNA isolation, RNA isolation, ELISA assays, Surface immunophenotyping, Viral vector purifications, isolations and transfections, Western blotting, purifying B & T cells and Western blotting.
Preferred: No additional skills are required outside of the requirements.
EDUCATION
Required:
- PhD in biological sciences or related field.
Preferred: No additional education is required outside of the requirements.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Required:
- Demonstrated ability to conduct and oversee independent research. This includes the ability to (a) develop, maintain, execute, and complete research projects of varying size and scope; (b) critically read, understand, and extract information from published medical and biological literature to prepare background information for scientific abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant proposals; (c) perform basic data and statistical analysis; and (d) produce high-quality abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant applications.
- Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; interact with all levels of management and employees across multiple departments. Demonstrated ability to supervise and train students and other technicians.
- Ability to independently design experiments and debug protocols.
- Ability to manage and track large numbers of samples meticulously.
- Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate administrative goals, prioritize plan for implementation, establish time lines, secure and oversee the participation of appropriate contributors, organize materials and insure quality product within established deadlines.
- Familiarity with scientific and biomedical technology. Ability to analyze and interpret data and assist with writing scientific papers and grants.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience with MAC operating systems, commonly used software and tools, such as Microsoft Office , electronic mail, and the internet.
- Experience with computational platforms such as Matlab, R, or equivalent. Comfortable learning new software to analyze mass spectrometry, mass cytometry and single cell data.
- Knowledge of standard laboratory management and safety procedures.
- Ability to make independent decisions, analyze situations, solve problems, and initiate actions for the effective management of a large and complex department.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.
- Excellent written skills and knowledge of English language, including grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
- Excellent oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person, on the telephone, and in writing to a diverse group of people (including researchers, health care providers, patients, research participants, administrators, industry representatives) in the academic, scientific, and commercial communities.
Preferred: No additional experience is required outside of the requirements.
The salary range for this position is $67,500 - $88,750 annually.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment.
- Must be willing to work an adjusted schedule to support research needs.
- Successful completion of the Institute’s background investigation.
- Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/MENTAL ACTIVITIES/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The incumbent in this position will constantly be seeing, sitting, analyzing, communicating, calculating, reading, reasoning, and working indoors.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)