Biologist - Therapeutic Development & Drug Discovery

Position Objective: Provide services as a Biologist in support of the overall functions of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This order will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives.Duties and Responsibilities:Plan and administer biological research programsStudy basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function 1Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal speciesDevelop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findingsCollect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environmentMonitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnelAnalyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings 2Coordinate the work of biological technicians and technologists and other scientistsOperate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzersMaintain laboratory equipment 3Operate laboratory equipment to analyze samplesAnalyze laboratory findingsProgram and use computers to store, process, and analyze dataMonitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards 4Interpret research or operational dataRecord research or operational data 5Function as a biologist for Therapeutic Development Branch TDB projects, including but not limited to: Function as a biologist for the Endosome CRADA project This project is related to the drug discovery and development for endocytosis inhibitors related to Opioid signaling among othersEvaluate existing nanoparticle formulations of endosomal GPCR inhibitorsPerform the functional assays to support chemists effort on lead optimization such as endosomal inhibitors or activators and drugs that phenotypically reduce endocytosisSearch and read literature references related to the project and develop assays to measure and to study the mechanism of receptor endocytosis and signaling- Perform biological experiments to support preclinical development of the projectsParticipant in weekly project meetingsPresent biological ideas experimental results and participate lead discussions in project meetingsEvaluate and apply new technologies and instruments to improve physiological relevance of disease models in the labEstablishment human induced pluripotent stem cell iPSC-derived neurons for disease modeling- Set up 3D brain organoids for disease modelingCharacterization of human iPSC-derived neurons and brain organoids including developmental analysis and disease phenotype studyLead compound validation in human iPSC-derived neurons and 3D brain modelsAssay development and assay optimization: Carry out assay development for TDB projects for library and cherry-pick compound screens, Optimize screening assays to improve screening throughput and assay reproducibilitySupport medicinal chemists for chemical optimization of lead compounds: Perform compound screening assays to determine potency and efficacy of compounds synthesized by chemists- Analyze the results and report data to chemistsCarry out mechanistic studies such as drug target identification and characterization of compound reversibility and competitive noncompetitive mechanismCarry out drug repurposing screens: Work with assay providers for assay development and assay transfer to the TDB programPerform assay optimization and miniaturizationCarry out high throughput screening with known drugs and bioactive compounds to identify active compoundsConfirm primary hits and perform secondary tertiary assay to narrow down hit to1 to 3 top lead compoundsPerform mechanistic study to characterize the top lead compoundsFoster communication with collaborators and project team as a lead point of contactPresentation and publication: Maintain good recodes and communication with collaboratorsPresent results in both internal and external scientific meetingsWrite and submit scientific manuscripts Publish 1-2 papers per yearAssist the previous postdoctoral fellows for the manuscripts revisionCollaboration: Engage in broad collaborations with other members in the groupWork closely with other staff scientists, postdoctoral fellows and IRTA fellows in the groupDocuments related to the Endosome CRADA project; evaluating existing nanoparticle formulations of GPCR inhibitors; performing functional assays to support chemists’ effort on lead optimization; search and read literature references. related to the project and develop assays to measure and study the mechanism of receptor endocytosis and signaling; perform biological experiments to support preclinical development of projects; present biological experimental results and participate/lead discussions in meetings.Work products and documents related to evaluating and applying new technologies and instruments to improve physiologically relevance of disease models in the lab; establish human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)- derived neurons for disease modeling; set up 3-D brain organoids for disease modeling; characterization of human iPSC-derived neurons and brain organoids including developmental analysis and disease phenotype study; lead compound validation in human iPSC- derived neurons and 3D brain models.Work products and documents related to assay development and assay optimization.Work products and documents related to carrying out drug repurposing screens; work with assay providers for assay development and assay transfer to the TDB program; carry out high throughput screening with known drugs and bioactive compounds to identify active compounds; confirm primary hits and perform secondary/tertiary assay to narrow down hit to 1 to 3 top lead compounds; perform mechanistic study to characterize the top lead compounds; direct communication with collaborators and project teams.Work products and documents related to presentations and publications; maintain good records and communications with collaborators; present results in both internal and external scientific meetings; write and submit scientific manuscripts; assist previous postdoctoral fellows for the manuscript revisions.Basic Qualifications:Masters Degree in Biology or similar field of studyMinimum of 2 years of related experienceExperience in assay development, imaging analysis, compound screeningExperience in in vitro and in vivo disease model systemsSkilled in MS OfficePreferred Qualifications:Strong communication skills, both oral and written.Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects.This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job us at View email address on click.appcast.io. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.This position is contingent upon contract award #J-18808-Ljbffr GAP SOLUTIONS INC