NIH, Rocky Mountain Lab, Hamilton, MT seeks a Lab Tech to study prions

[Hishmeh, Margaret H]

Dear University of Minnesota Confocal Microscopy Listserv Members:

 

The National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana has an exciting opportunity to work on the study of prions.  The Laboratory Technician will work in the Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases. Primarily, the Lab Tech will use animal models to study the pathology and transmissibility of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) using many biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology techniques to include confocal imaging and manipulation of infectious agents.

 

If you are interested in this position and can clearly describe your experience using the techniques listed on the position description below, please write a summary outlining projects and techniques you have used extensively; show your knowledge and why you are the right candidate for the position. Please explain your experience in as many of the techniques listed as possible. In addition, the client is requesting 3 reference letters. If you cannot supply those upon your submittal to me, please provide them soon thereafter.

 

I will also need a Word copy of your resume, your availability to start and your salary requirement.

After you have emailed me these things, please give me a call.

 

This position is permanent and contracted through Lockheed Martin. It is available immediately. Please take a moment to upload your resume at www.lockheedmartinjobs.com using job #141055.

 

Thank you and I look forward to your response.

Best,

Margaret Hishmeh, Sr. Scientific Recruiter

Contract: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Lockheed Martin

703-891-6493

Please visit www.lockheedmartinjobs.com to view our openings

 

 

Laboratory Technician

 

 

 

Lockheed Martin, Civil Process Solutions Group provides clients with top-quality information technology (IT), business management, and scientific solutions. Working in partnership with our Civilian Government, national security, and life sciences clients, we deliver innovative, on-target solutions that support our clients’ vital missions, goals, and objectives. Among our proven capabilities are systems design, development, and integration; systems engineering; application support, IT infrastructure management; professional services; management consulting; and specialized health and bioinformatics services.

We are currently searching for a Laboratory Technician to support the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  This opportunity is a permanent, full-time position with Lockheed Martin and it is on-site at National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Facility in Hamilton, MT.

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Use animal models to study the pathology and transmissibility of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE).

·Manage multiple transgenic mouse lines, including design and maintenance Microsoft  
  Access databases

·Infection/inoculation of animals with TSE agents and monitoring animals for clinical
  disease

·Collection and analysis of TSE infected animal tissues from rodents

·Euthanasia of TSE- infected animals

·Titer TSE-infected tissues using animal bioassays

·Must be able to work with rodents (e.g. mice, hamsters, rats) and rabbits

Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

·Generate primary cell cultures of astrocytes, microglia and neurons from rodents

·Develop organotypic (e.g. brain slice) and tissue explant cultures

·Biochemical analysis of tissues for prions (e.g. Western blot)

·Analyze levels of various biochemical products in tissues and cell cultures

·Biochemical analysis of GPI-anchored proteins

·Use chromatography techniques for protein purification

·Develop new techniques for purification of prions from various tissues

·Develop new protocols and utilize known protocols for immunofluorescence staining of
both primary and traditional cell cultures

·Analysis of prion amyloid aggregates by standard biochemical assays

·Prepare and analyze samples by transmission and scanning electron microscopy

·Live cell imaging by confocal microscopy

·PCR DNA amplification, DNA cloning, bacterial transformation and plasmid isolation

·Creation of stably-transfected mammalian cell lines

·Chemical modification of proteins by fluorescent labeling

·Analysis of fluorescent proteins by fluorescence SDS-PAGE

·   Culture a variety of neuronal cell lines for bioassays and ex vivo infection models

·   Maintain library of cell lines in liquid nitrogen

·   Maintain Microsoft Access database of frozen cell lines

·   Deconvolution processing and analysis of fluorescence microscopy data

·   Propagation of continuous cell cultures that require maintenance every 2 days

General Laboratory Operations:

·   Perform statistical analysis of data using statistics software

·   Maintain Microsoft Access and Excel databases

·   Assist with the preparation of figures for publication in scientific journals

·   Support all aspects of laboratory operation including: decontamination of lab waste, ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, developing protocols, calibrating equipment, facilitating training sessions for laboratory staff on complex equipment and maintaining logs/records on important laboratory functions

·   Must rapidly respond to laboratory emergencies during non-duty hours to prevent loss of critical samples

·   Supervise and train students on routine laboratory experiments and use of equipment

·   Read scientific literature to maintain knowledge of prions and related fields

·   Use standard laboratory equipment (pH meters, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, pipettors, autoclaves, balances, etc.)

Position Requirements:

·     Minimum Education: B.S. in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science.

·     Demonstrate a strong background in biochemistry, cell biology, and neuroscience including experience with confocal imaging and manipulation of infectious agents.

·     At least 2 years full-time laboratory technical experience beyond their undergraduate training either as a technician or graduate student

·     Workable knowledge of computers and programs such as Excel and/or GraphPad Prism

·     Physical capabilities: Must be able to perform laboratory duties including lifting reasonable weight, operating instruments, working with animals