Biologist (Functional Genomics)

About the role

Provide services as a Biologist (Functional Genomics) in support of the overall functions of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The contractor position will support research activities related to the functional genomics pipeline. The purpose of this position is to support an FGL scientist in conducting and analyzing high throughput RNAi and CRISPR screens as well as evaluate tools for the development of CRISPR screen assays.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with federal task leader to learn and employ multiple techniques involved in RNAi and CRISPR assay development and validation for various projects, including but not limited to sterile cell culture technique, qRT-PCR, reporter cell-based assays, enzyme assays, and culturing complex 3D models such as organoids
• Regularly update and maintain laboratory notebooks, databases and inventory files
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
• Conduct RNAi screens based on optimized assays
• Demonstrate lab citizenship; including but not limited to restocking general laboratory consumables, maintaining cell culture lab, emptying laboratory waste, validating machinery and maintaining personal as well as lab inventories of chemicals, freezers, cell lines, and biologics
• Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers
• Maintain laboratory equipment
• Operate laboratory equipment to analyze samples
• Amplify and purify transfection and packaging ready plasmids
• Prepare, aliquot and store various supplements needed for complex cell culture models, keep track of inventories of supplements prepared
• Prepare, bulk up and QC reagents for CRISPR screens
• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data
• Interpret research or operational data
• Record research or operational data
• Learn the workflow of pooled and arrayed CRISPR screens and implement it
• Learn the maintenance, expansion and cryopreservation of organoids, their lentiviral infection and their high content imaging

Work products and documents

• Work products and documents related to optimizing and performing RNAi screens – Weekly
• Clean Equipment - Ad-Hoc
• Inspect Equipment – Monthly
• Meet with lab members to present updates – Quarterly
• Work products and documents related to generation and QC of reagents for CRISPR screens – Weekly
• Documents listing availability/location and QC results of CRISPR reagents (DNA Libraries, Lentiviral stocks, and cell lines) - Bi-Weekly
• Work products and documents related to preparing technical reports, SOPs, manuscripts, and oral presentations - Bi-Weekly
• Work products and documents related to assays for screening targets; develop and optimize cell-based assays; analyze and interpret results; confirm results; - Daily
• Attend required and suggested trainings for new equipment and software - Ad-Hoc
• Run Validation – Weekly