Biologist

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 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).

Technical Requirements:

Biologist

• Perform a broad range of tasks related to evaluating vaccine efficacy in a nonhuman primate (NHP) model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). • Conduct research independently including planning experiments, writing animal protocols, data generation, analysis, and interpretation.

• Perform various immunological assays on cells from NHP blood and tissue related to the evaluation of experimental TB vaccines: flow cytometry, cell sorting, confocal microscopy, RNA extraction, Luminex, ELISA.

• Monitor supplies and equipment maintenance at BSL2 and BSL3 level-lab space.

• Monitor NHP sample inventories to include shipping and receiving samples to and from collaborators.

• Perform duties related to BSL-3 TB vaccine studies in nonhuman primates at an off-site location (Bioqual Inc., 2501 Research Blvd, Rockville, MD 20850) and maintain compliance with all training requirements of this non-NIH facility.

• Develop, implement, and monitor compliance of a BSL-3 Safety Manual for tuberculosis vaccine studies in nonhuman primates.

• Develop BSL3-level standard operating procedures (SOPs) for monitoring immune responses and measuring protective efficacy after vaccination and challenge with TB, including accurately quantifying mycobacterial burdens from animal tissues.

• Interact with pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellows, and research technicians to provide agent specific training, lab-specific training, and standardization of BSL-3 protocols.

• Assist in identifying and onboarding new research technician candidates for BSL3 lab work.

• Develop new (BSL3) assays to assess anti-mycobacterial activity from NHP cells ex vivo following vaccination (ie, in vitro growth assays).

• Prepare data abstracts, posters, and presentations to clearly communicate data to Scientific colleagues in the form of internal scientific meetings.

• Participate in finalizing data, preparing figures, authoring text, and preparing overall manuscripts for timely publication of data.

Specific Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Immunology, Microbiology, or related field.

• Minimum of four (4) years of technical experience working within a BSL-3 laboratory on the nonhuman primate model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• Extensive experience isolating immune cells from animal or human blood and tissues.

• Extensive experience culturing and quantifying Mtb from infected animal tissues.

• Ability to effectively train and oversee others on BSL-3 laboratory technique to comply with all safety regulations.

• Experience evaluating antigen-specific cellular immune responses using multi-parameter flow cytometry, Luminex, ELISA.

• Understanding of nonhuman primate or human T cell immunology as it relates to vaccine efficacy.

• Demonstrated expertise in flow cytometry data analysis using FlowJo.

• Computer skills to include MS Office Suite, GraphPad Prism.

• Organization and written/verbal communication skills as to prepare written protocols, contribute to publications and communicate data to others.

Benefits

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision premium coverage for Employees
• Paid Time Off (Including Holidays)
• Employee Referral Bonus
• 401K Match
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• 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 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.