Scientist II, Stem Cell Lab (IPSC)

Employee Type: exempt full-time | Division: Laboratory Animal Science Program | Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick | Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

About the role

The Frederick National Laboratory is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. and addresses urgent and intractable problems in biomedical sciences, including cancer, AIDS, drug development, nanotechnology in medicine, and emerging infectious diseases.

The Laboratory & Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for laboratory and animal research at the National Cancer Institute. LASP supports the NIH Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Initiative by providing technical infrastructure, operational integration, and specialized expertise to develop and optimize organoid models of normal human tissues from various tissue types and donor sources.

Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and execute 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.
• Develop and optimize differentiation protocols, cellular assays, and quality control strategies to generate reproducible, scalable, and biologically relevant stem cell-derived models.
• Design experiments, analyze and interpret complex datasets, and integrate molecular, cellular, imaging, and functional data to advance scientific objectives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary investigators across the SOM Center and NIH to provide scientific expertise, develop experimental strategies, and support collaborative research projects.
• Contribute to grant applications, technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, SOP development, and scientific communications.
• Mentor research associates, trainees, and junior scientists while fostering a collaborative and innovative laboratory environment.
• May supervise junior-level research staff.
• Assist with laboratory management, including implementation of new technologies, oversight of laboratory resources, and ensuring compliance with biosafety and quality standards.
• Remain current with advances in stem cell biology, developmental biology, organoid technologies, and regenerative medicine to identify and implement emerging methodologies.

Requirements

• Possession of a PhD from an accredited college/university.
• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant postdoctoral or equivalent experience.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 and/or animal materials.
• 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

The posted pay range is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement. More details are available here.