Senior Scientist

Job Family:

Scientist (Digital)

Travel Required:

None

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:
We are currently searching for a Senior Scientist. The position’s primary responsibilities include independently providing surgical services, including: headposts and chamber placement, Chronic electrode and LED array implantation, stereotaxic and visualized aspiration lesions and injections of virus/tracer.  Additionally, the contractor is responsible for independently directing and conducting special research projects that have a high priority for the laboratory with special emphasis on the development of novel research treatments and surgical techniques as well as evaluates, analyzes, and interprets research data and communicates results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts. This is a full time onsite position in Bethesda, MD.

• Independently provide surgical services for others in the lab. Including: headpost and chamber placement, Chronic electrode and LED array implantation, stereotaxic and visualized aspiration lesions and injections of virus/tracer. 

• Advance the science in the laboratory through new procedures and discoveries.

• Work with staff to confirm assay results and evaluate new techniques and instruments; search literature; propose, design and test alternative assays for difficult screening targets; confirm assay results; develop secondary assays.  

• Produce research reports and regularly communicate results to staff and collaborators.

• Evaluate new techniques, instruments, and software for potential incorporation into current SOP.

• Design and conduct experiments and studies requiring the application of a broad professional knowledge of scientific theories and principles.

• Advance the science through proposing and investigating new target projects for initiation based on novelty and relevance to human health.

• Work with staff on the interpretation of experiments performed by research scientists.

• Independently direct and conduct special research projects that have a high priority for the laboratory with special emphasis in the development of novel research treatments.

• Work with staff on assay design and method development using an array or experimentation.

• Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment.

• Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments and equipment in the laboratory.

• Operate, troubleshoot and train others to use laboratory equipment and software.           

• Provide advice and assistance to users in designing experiments, using instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and preparing figures for publication.          

• Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, including Operating microscopes (Zeiss, Tivato 700), Surgical neuronavigation system (Cortexplore), Stereotaxic and low-profile head holders (Jerry-rig, USA), Surgical instruments, Microfluidic virus injection apparatus, and chronic electrode recording array implantation systems (Blackrock, and others).

• Manage scientific equipment and resources (e.g. reagents, stocks of frozen sells, animal samples) including acquisition, documentation and storage.

• Participate in the laboratory’s review of future proposals for resource allocations.

• Provide basic and advanced training in animal care and use procedures to staff.

• Write technical reports and prepare manuscripts.

• Maintain a detailed and up-to-date electronic laboratory notebook detailing all experiments.

• Work with Principal Investigators in scheduling and prioritizing instrument usage.

• Suggest alternative or complementary approaches to experiments.

• Prepare and/or revise Animal Study Proposals to support research goals.

• Prepare oral presentations and posters for internal and external groups/conferences.

• Co-author manuscripts on research projects; publish in peer-reviewed journals.

• Write papers and abstracts detailing research efforts and results for publication in peer-reviewed journals; prepare PowerPoint presentations as appropriate. 

• Give posters and presentations detailing work at regional and national scientific meetings. 

• Review, edit, and, as needed, write first drafts of papers, posters and manuscripts.

• Present results of clinical and experimental research at recognized scientific meetings by lectures and exhibits (poster sessions).

• Search existing literature for new and/or relevant techniques.

• Assist the lab staff in the creation and preparation of a variety