Assay Technologist

Axle•Rockville, MD

2d•$110,000 - $118,000

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 nationally and abroad. 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 seeking a highly motivated Assay Technologist to join the Automated Cell Technologies section within the NCATS Research Services Core at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This role focuses on the development, optimization, and validation of stem cell–based and other cell-based assays to support translational research and high-throughput screening initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in human iPSC culture, cellular differentiation workflows, and phenotypic assay development within a collaborative, technology-driven research environment.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Toxicology, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline
Hands-on experience in iPSC culture and differentiation
Demonstrated experience in cell-based assay development and validation
Experience with immunocytochemistry and phenotypic analysis
Strong troubleshooting and process optimization skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting high-throughput screening or automated laboratory workflows
Familiarity with high-content imaging systems
Experience working in collaborative, multidisciplinary research environments

Responsibilities

Maintain and expand human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and other cell lines under defined culture conditions
Develop and optimize reproducible differentiation and expansion workflows across multiple cell lineages
Scale culture and differentiation protocols across various formats (e.g., flasks and multi-well plates)
Optimize extracellular matrix conditions and culture parameters to enhance cell viability, consistency, and maturation
Design, execute, and validate cell-based assays to assess differentiation status and functional endpoints
Perform immunocytochemistry and other phenotypic analyses to confirm marker expression and cellular characteristics
Evaluate assay reproducibility, robustness, and scalability
Optimize cryopreservation, thawing, and recovery workflows
Support development and validation of automated workflows for scalable cell-based assays
Collaborate with high-throughput screening and automation teams to improve process efficiency
Execute non-routine experiments and develop novel methodologies to support emerging research needs
Maintain detailed laboratory records using electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) systems
Adhere to NIH laboratory safety standards, including BSL-2 requirements
Ensure accurate documentation of experimental outcomes and protocol improvements