Scientist II, Stem Cell Lab (IPSC)

About the role

The Laboratory & Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for laboratory and 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 husbandry, veterinary, state-of-the-art technology, and pre-clinical scientific services. LASP also provides primary support to the NIH Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Initiative to address the need for validated, scalable, and reproducible organoid-based Novel Alternative Methods (NAMs) in biomedical research. Our team provides technical infrastructure, operational integration, and specialized expertise to drive the development and optimization of organoid models of normal (non-cancerous) human tissues derived from a wide range of tissue types and donor sources.

Responsibilities

• Designing, leading, and executing independent research projects focused on the development, optimization, and application of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models, organoids, and other advanced in vitro systems to support the NIH Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Initiative.
• Developing and optimizing differentiation protocols, cellular assays, and quality control strategies to generate reproducible, scalable, and biologically relevant stem cell-derived models.
• Designing experiments, analyzing and interpreting complex datasets, and integrating molecular, cellular, imaging, and functional data to advance scientific objectives.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary investigators across the SOM Center and NIH to provide scientific expertise, develop experimental strategies, and support collaborative research projects.
• Contributing to grant applications, technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, SOP development, and scientific communications.
• Mentoring research associates, trainees, and junior scientists while fostering a collaborative and innovative laboratory environment.
• May supervisor junior level research staff
• Assisting with laboratory management, including implementation of new technologies, oversight of laboratory resources, and ensuring compliance with biosafety and quality standards.
• Remaining current with advances in stem cell biology, developmental biology, organoid technologies, and regenerative medicine to identify and implement emerging methodologies.

Basic Qualifications

• Possession of PhD from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years of relevant postdoctoral or equivalent experience.
• Must possess basic Microsoft Office skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, and advanced molecular and cellular biology methodologies.
• Experience designing, executing, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex scientific experiments independently.
• Demonstrated experience with experimental design, statistical analysis, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of manuscripts, technical reports, and scientific presentations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise with human iPSC reprogramming, culture, characterization, genome editing, and directed differentiation.
• Experience with organoid culture and advanced 3D cell culture systems.
• Expertise in developmental biology, regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, and/or cellular metabolism.
• Research experience investigating metabolic regulation of stem cell fate, differentiation, mitochondrial biology, bioenergetics, or metabolic signaling pathways.
• Experience with metabolic phenotyping techniques, including Seahorse extracellular flux analysis, metabolomics, stable isotope tracing, mitochondrial functional assays, or related approaches, is highly desirable.
• Experience with flow cytometry, high-content imaging, immunocytochemistry, transcriptomic analysis, qPCR, and other cellular and molecular characterization techniques.
• Experience with single-cell genomics, spatial biology, or multi-omics approaches is desirable.
• Experience developing standardized workflows, assay validation, and quality management practices for stem cell-based models.
• Evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and collaborative research.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists or research staff.

Job hazards

• This position is subject to working with or has the potential for exposure to animals(s) and/or animal material(s).
• This position is subject to working with or has the potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations.

Pay

103,100.00 - 147,767.00 USD