Position Overview

The Automated Cell Technologist will support ongoing NCATS research activities that require compound management services. Responsibilities include completing standard and submitted service and maintenance requests in a timely fashion to prevent loss of government resources. The technologist will also provide reports detailing usage and current inventory amounts of all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances per federal requirements. Other core duties include maintaining active and stored cell lines in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure viability, and maintaining quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of the NCATS chemical inventory. A Master’s degree is required, with Biology listed as the field of study.

Additional Qualifications

Certifications & Licenses

• Master’s degree

Field of Study

• Biology

Software

• PowerPoint
• Outlook
• Excel
• Word

Skills

• Cell culture, primary cell culture, and 3D cell culture
• Transfections
• Pipetting
• Maintaining stock solutions
• Inventory management
• SOP writing
• Data presentation

Deliverables

• Run validation — Quarterly
• Meet with lab members to present updates — Bi-Weekly

Statement of Work Details

• Advance the science in the laboratory through new procedures and discoveries.
• Train staff on the proper use of laboratory instruments and equipment, and operate, troubleshoot, and train others to use laboratory equipment and software.
• Work with staff to confirm assay results and evaluate new techniques and instruments; search literature; propose, design, and test alternative assays for difficult screening targets; and develop secondary assays.
• Review, edit, and, as needed, write first drafts of papers, posters, and manuscripts.
• Produce research reports and regularly communicate results to staff and collaborators.
• Support the planning and execution of research experiments in the context of the laboratory’s overall research program.
• Evaluate new techniques, instruments, and software for potential incorporation into current SOPs.
• Design and conduct experiments and studies requiring broad professional knowledge of scientific theories and principles.
• Oversee a state-of-the-art core facility serving the NIH community and review the associated budget.
• Propose and investigate new target projects for initiation based on novelty and relevance to human health.
• Support laboratory staff on research projects and techniques, including assay design and method development using an array of experimentation.
• Review scientific data to determine whether a research program can be developed around an idea or data package.
• Assist in maintaining adequate space and facilities for ongoing and projected research studies.
• Manage scientific equipment and resources (e.g., reagents, stocks of frozen cells, animal samples), including acquisition, documentation, and storage.
• Evaluate, analyze, and interpret research data, and communicate results and methods in technical reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Coordinate with junior staff to modify research protocols.
• Work with Principal Investigators to schedule and prioritize instrument usage.
• Present research through posters and presentations at regional and national scientific meetings and symposia.
• Write papers and abstracts detailing research efforts and results for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and prepare PowerPoint presentations as appropriate.
• Provide interpretation of results, guidance, and scientific support to the management team.
• Assist lab staff in creating and preparing documents required by the lab’s scientific activities.