Animal Biologist

Axle•Rockville, MD

22h

About The Position

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations around the globe. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Axle is looking to add a driven, flexible, organized, and meticulous Animal Biologist to our dynamic team. The Contractor(s) shall provide services in support of the overall functions of the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), Cellular Immunology Section (CIS).

Requirements

Master’s degree in biology, Life Sciences or a related discipline. Two (2) years of specialized experience plus a BA/BS degree is equivalent to a Master’s degree.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience working in a laboratory environment.
Demonstrates expertise in performing biological research.
Demonstrates knowledge in managing and disposing of hazardous waste.
All support positions required a minimum of a BS degree; some require a MS, MD, or Ph.D. The education, skills and relevant years of experience required for each support position are consistent with those identified as the minimum requirements for the labor categories specified in the contract.

Responsibilities

Assist Veterinarian in malaria vaccine and pathology research.
Oversee the design and implementation of malaria antibody and vaccine studies in mice.
Help educate new staff for in vivo experiments in mice.
Make detailed observations about experiments.
Maintain clear and accurate documentation.
Assist in the preparation of technical reports, summaries, and protocols.
Perform specialized laboratory procedures: histology techniques, blood smear preparation, flow cytometry, malaria parasite quantification, in vivo mouse imaging with IVIS Spectrum system, digital image processing with Spectrum software.
Provide prescribed treatments, animal surveillance, and environmental enrichment.
Communicate all animal health abnormalities with Animal Program Director and scientific staff.
Read and understand the VRC Animal Study Protocols.
Perform or assist PI’s with a variety of technical procedures.
Assist in the scheduling of technical requests.
Perform injections via intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intradermal, and/or intramuscular route.
Collect blood samples, harvest tissue or organs using aseptic techniques, cell counts, peritoneal lavages, skin punch biopsies, and splenectomies, animal identification using ear punches or ear tags.
Perform in vitro malaria functional assays.
Maintain mouse colonies, breeding, and weaning of offspring.
Perform and monitor mouse sedation.
Maintain Anopheles mosquito colonies.
Infect Anopheles mosquitos with transgenic malaria pathogens.
Dissect malaria parasites from mosquito salivary glands.
Perform inoculations with malaria sporozoites for challenge studies.
Perform malaria natural transmission studies.
Prepare and submit animal health records.
Maintain breeder log, and keep PI’s updated on colony status.
Collect and organize data for research projects by maintaining database.