Biologist

Axle•Bethesda, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Axle is seeking a Biologist to support the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. The role supports research on sleep and circadian behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Work includes multigeneration selective breeding to develop flies with extreme sleep and circadian phenotypes, processing fly activity data to compute phenotypes, and conducting statistical and quantitative genetics analyses. The position also involves molecular biology experiments, sequencing sample preparation and analysis, laboratory maintenance, staff training, and contributions to scientific publications. The Biologist will support research assays and laboratory operations, maintain accurate experimental records, interpret research and operational data, and assist with training fellows and other laboratory personnel. The position also includes laboratory safety and compliance tasks, equipment monitoring and maintenance coordination, and upkeep of shared research facilities.

Requirements

Ph.D. in a scientific field; a master's degree plus three years of specialized experience, or a bachelor's degree plus five years of specialized experience, may substitute for the Ph.D.
Field of study in Genetics, Microbiology, or Chemistry.
General experience with basic biochemical and molecular biology techniques and an understanding of general scientific principles.
Proficiency in selective breeding of Drosophila melanogaster.
Proficiency in measuring sleep and circadian behavior in flies and computing sleep and circadian phenotypes from raw activity data.
Proficiency in conducting statistical analyses of sleep and circadian behavior.
Self-motivation, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Excellent analytical and time-management skills.
Microsoft Suite proficiency.

Responsibilities

Conduct multigeneration selective breeding experiments to develop flies with extreme sleep and circadian phenotypes.
Compute sleep and circadian phenotypes from fly activity data.
Conduct statistical analyses of sleep and circadian behavior, including quantitative genetics analyses.
Maintain Drosophila cultures for experimental purposes.
Perform Sanger sequencing analysis of genomic DNA samples obtained from Drosophila.
Prepare DNA and RNA samples for next-generation sequencing.
Conduct confirmatory experiments using RT-qPCR.
Prepare samples for laboratory team members’ research assays and provide technical support and troubleshooting.
Analyze laboratory findings and interpret research and operational data.
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to writing and preparing scientific papers for publication in recognized journals.
Participate in laboratory meetings and planning sessions.
Inspect and maintain laboratory equipment in good working order, identify maintenance contract needs, and prepare supporting documentation.
Maintain the REES monitoring system for incubators and freezers.
Assist with the shared circadian room and weekly dry ice delivery and unloading.
Maintain the laboratory biosafety manual, provide biosafety training, and track training completion records.
Flush eyewash stations weekly and coordinate chemical waste disposal and collection.
Monitor technical operating procedures for conformance to standards.
Train new fellows and laboratory personnel in fly handling, culturing, sleep measurements, and safety procedures.
Train fellows in statistical analyses of sleep and circadian data.
Prepare samples for research assays and assist in processing patient samples.
Train summer students and research fellows in basic fly culturing and molecular biology techniques.