Job Location: Bethesda, MD

Position Information:

The Contractor shall support studies on the molecular and cellular basis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a mouse model of infection. The project is focused on the chemokine receptor Ccr7 in its protective role against cerebral toxoplasmosis. It involves oral infection of susceptible mice with Toxoplasma gondii cysts with subsequent monitoring of mortality, weight loss, organ pathology, immune cell infiltrates and cytokine production.

Additional Qualifications:

Certifications & Licenses

• N/A

Field of Study

• Animal Sciences

Software

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• Excel

• Word

Skills

• Support studies on the molecular and cellular basis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a mouse model of infection

Deliverables:

• Clean Equipment – Daily

• Meet with lab members to present updates – Weekly

• Inspect Equipment – Monthly

Statement of Work Detail:

• 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. – 1
• Evaluate new types of experimental approaches/analyses and recommend changes to protocols. – 2
• Perform laboratory maintenance tasks, including scheduling liquid waste container pickup. – 3
• Provide experimental progress updates on procedures performed in the laboratory. – 4
• Perform fundamental procedures required for research projects. – 5

• Supports the planning and execution of research experiments in the context of the laboratory’s overall research program.

• Perform routine experiments and tests, including tissue culture, cell separation, protein, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.

• Follow established procedures and protocols; utilize aseptic technique to perform experiments.

• Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures.

• Supports laboratory staff on research projects and techniques.

• Work with staff on processing specimens for embedding according to protocols.

• Retrieve, catalog and process samples including but not limited to blood and tumor tissue.

• Upkeep sample and database inventory; monitor overall sample inventory.

• Update and maintain written laboratory record of the work and collect and enter research data into laboratory notebooks and databases.

• Maintains laboratory equipment and the training of others in their use.

• Work with a variety of routine and specialized laboratory instruments and equipment in the laboratory.

• Prepare materials and equipment for experiments.

• Monitor and inventory routine laboratory supplies; ensure that supplies are stocked and organized.

• Work with staff to cover glassware washing, media preparation, and autoclaving.

• Assists in maintaining adequate space and facilities for ongoing and projected research studies.

• Ensure that supplies and consumables are ready and on hand as necessary for maximum efficiency in the laboratory.

• Store new samples, update database, retrieve samples with proper authorization.

• Perform laboratory maintenance tasks, including scheduling liquid waste container pickup Evaluates, analyzes and interprets research data, communicates results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts.

• Coordinates with junior staff to modify research protocols.

• Presents research at national scientific meetings and symposia.

• Convey and discuss research results with team lab members.

• Provides interpretation of results, guidance, and scientific support to the management team.

• Mentors junior level scientists.

• Train staff on the proper usage of equipment.

• Train staff in a wide variety of techniques used in the laboratory.