Research Associate I, Pathology

Overview

The Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for 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 state-of-the-art technologies and services that are focused on the design, generation, characterization and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease, which are aimed at the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies. LASP contributes to advancing human health, developing new treatments, and improving existing treatments for cancer and other diseases while ensuring safe and humane treatment of animals.

The Molecular Histopathology Laboratory (MHL) of LASP provides comprehensive research support for the FNLCR / NIH including hematology and blood chemistry testing, necropsy, fixed and frozen tissue processing, microtomy, cryotomy, histological staining, enzyme staining, 500+ validated immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays, custom in situ hybridization (ISH) assay development and testing. The MHL also provides a variety of nucleic acid isolation options from frozen / fixed animal and human tissue blocks, cores, and precut slides including goal appropriate yield and quality assessments. The MHL also has board-certified veterinary pathologists who offer integrated pathology services including consult / design of necropsy protocols, phenotyping of genetically engineered mice (GEM), immunopathology, anatomic pathology, toxicological pathology, and specimen classification / selection for tissue microarrays or laser micro dissection (LC and LCM). MHL staff also support a wide range of digital imaging options including bright field and fluorescent digital whole slide imaging (WSI) and digital image analyses.

Key Roles / Responsibilities

• Performing complex Histotechnology procedures within the specialized scientific service core laboratory as a member of a high-performance project team
• Database accession, specimen tracking, archiving, quality review, and project billing
• Small animal necropsy, tissue trim and embedding following defined standard operating procedure (SOP)
• Paraffin microtomy and OCT cryotomy, complex serial and step sectioning
• Histological staining, buffer preparation, pH assessment, and serial dilutions
• Manual and automated immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization
• Tissue microarray production, sectioning, and testing
• Nucleic acid isolation, yield and quality assessment, and analysis
• Digital whole slide imaging and digital image analysis

Basic Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Job Hazards

This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and / or animal material(s); this position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations.

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