Laboratory Technician

Overview

Axle Informatics 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 ambitious, adaptable, structured, and detail-oriented Laboratory Technician to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) located in Bethesda, MD.

Overall Position Summary and Objectives Laboratory Technician for NIH/NINDS/Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section (VIIIS) to perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures.

Deliverables:

Work products and documents related to performing laboratory techniques and procedures, including handling infectious agents, performing immune cell isolations, immunohistochemistry, tissue sectioning, fluorescence and bright field microscopy. - Daily

Clean Equipment - Daily

Work products and documents related to performing digital flow cytometry, ELISAs, DNA/RNA isolations, PCR, RT-PCR, quantitative PCR and Western blots - Daily

Work products and documents related to working with staff on the maintenance of transgenic mouse colony, cell lines, logs and database. - Daily

Work products and documents related to inventory supplies and equipment; prepare purchase requests. - Daily

Work Details:

Plans, executes, and arranges laboratory experiments, new techniques and procedures; and performs laboratory techniques relating to scientific research.

Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures, including handling infectious agents, performing immune cell isolations, immunohistochemistry, tissue sectioning, fluorescence and brightfield microscopy

Perform digital flow cytometry, ELISAs, DNARNA isolations, PCR, RT-PCR, quantitative PCR and Western blots

Work with staff on the maintenance and screening of transgenic mouse colony

Work with staff on the maintenance of laboratory cell lines

Work with staff on the maintenance of laboratory logs and databases as well as prepare inventory of laboratory supplies and equipment, make recommendations, and prepare purchase requests

Operates laboratory machines and instruments; and prepares specimens and equipment for use.

Prepare materials and equipment for experiments

Process and organize multiple samples simultaneously

Work with a variety of routine and specialized laboratory instruments and equipment in the laboratory

Ensure that all specimens and equipment necessary for experiments are available and in good order

Prepare specimens and equipment for use in the laboratory

Performs sample management and storage.

Store new samples, update database, retrieve samples with proper authorization

Perform processing, description and analysis of samples

Work with staff to implement storage and distribution of biological samples for future scientific research

Analyzes, documents and reports on all procedures performed.

Convey and discuss research results with team lab members

Collect and enter research data into laboratory notebooks and databases

Collect data and prepare for analysis and interpretation

Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies.

Ensure that supplies and consumables are ready and on hand as necessary for maximum efficiency in the laboratory

Cleans and sterilizes instruments, glassware and equipment.

Ensure that adequate clean inventory is available for immediate usage

Plan execute and arrange laboratory experiments, new techniques and procedures; and performs laboratory techniques relating to scientific research.

Perform fundamental procedures required for research projects

Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures

Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescenceimmunohistochemistry

Perform experiments on samples according to protocols

Perform routine experiments and tests; follow established procedures and protocols

Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and initiates purchase orders.

Work with staff to maintain stocked supplies and records of working reagents, including fixatives, buffers, solvents and staining

Ensure that reagents are made correctly and that expired reagents or defective products are replaced to ensure validity of results

Order and maintain laboratory supplies, reagents and equipment

Performs routine equipment maintenance.

Assist in troubleshooting and calibrating various laboratory equipment and instruments

Plan execute and arrange laboratory experiments, new techniques and procedures; and performs laboratory techniques relating to scientific research.

Perform a variety of laboratory techniques and procedures

Plan and execute experiments for in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell culture, Western blotting and immunofluorescenceimmunohistochemistry

Perform routine experiments and tests; follow established procedures and protocols

Analyzes, documents and reports on all procedures performed and produces detailed reports for use by senior staff.

Record details of experimental procedures, results and protocols

Collect, analyze and interpret data; prepare summaries and reports based on results and findings

Performs advanced equipment maintenance.

Assist in troubleshooting and calibrating various laboratory equipment and instruments

Trains staff in performing routine laboratory tests and procedures.

Provide technical help and expertise to lab members

Work with staff to monitor and ensure that appropriate laboratory safety courses and certifications for staff are up to date

Provides insights and expertise and recommends new strategies and approaches.

Engage in problem solving as required to solve technical difficulties and to ensure steady progress, with a goal of providing high quality experimental data suitable for publication 1

Evaluate new types of experimental approachesanalyses and recommend changes to protocols 2

Determine when modifications and adjustments are necessary for experiments 3

Develop and assist in new assays for application based on requests from investigators 4

Troubleshoot issues with technical procedures; utilize trial and error methods customize protocols to the biological systems utilized in the laboratory 5

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s

Additional Qualifications:

Certifications & Licenses

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Life Sciences or a related discipline

Field of Study

Neuroscience

Software

NIH POTS

Outlook

Skills

Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills

Strong communications skills, both oral and written

Animal Handling: Non-human primates

Benefits

100% Medical Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees

Educational Benefits for Career Growth

Paid Time Off (Including Holidays)

Employee Referral Bonus

Profit Sharing

401K Matching

Flexible Spending Accounts:

Healthcare (FSA)

Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)

Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)

Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: careers@axleinfo.com

Disclaimer: The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individual’s assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.