Research Associate/Associate Scientist - Molecular Biology

Role Summary

Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Molecular Biology – a role focused on supporting human health initiatives with strong laboratory skills at our Germantown, MD location. Responsibilities include independently performing cell-based assays, tissue culture, general molecular biology techniques, and plasmid construction, with the ability to manage multiple cell-based projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Perform cell-based assays and tissue culture experiments.
• Conduct general molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid purification, qPCR, and RT-qPCR.
• Construct and manipulate plasmids; perform molecular cloning tasks (transformation, plasmid prep, restriction digest, Gibson assembly).
• Utilize viral transduction and other gene expression methods (transfection/electroporation).
• Work with primary immune cells and perform cell-based reporter gene assays (luciferase or GFP).
• Carry out microplate-based immunoassays (ELISAs) and tissue processing for nucleic acid analysis.
• Maintain accurate documentation using an Electronic Laboratory Notebook and present data as needed.
• Collaborate across multiple projects and communicate effectively with team members.

Qualifications

• Required: B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Immunology, or related field.
• Required: Minimum two (2) years of laboratory research experience, preferably in an industry setting.
• Required: Proficiency in sterile cell culture techniques, particularly maintenance and manipulation of mammalian cell lines.
• Required: Experience with viral transduction and other gene expression methods such as transfection or electroporation.
• Required: Prior work with primary immune cells.
• Required: Experience with cell-based reporter gene assays using luciferase or GFP.
• Required: Experience with microplate-based immunoassays (ELISAs).
• Required: Tissue processing for nucleic acid analysis; general molecular biology techniques (nucleic acid purification, qPCR, RT-qPCR).
• Preferred: Familiarity with molecular cloning techniques (transformation, plasmid prep, restriction digest, Gibson assembly).
• Preferred: Knowledge of multicolor flow cytometry; documentation using an Electronic Laboratory Notebook; experience with Microsoft Office, statistical software, and data presentation.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for learning new techniques.
• Self-motivated and independently minded.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with individuals at various levels.
• Meticulous, detail-oriented, hands-on approach; ability to organize and manage parallel tasks.
• Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities.
• Positive, can-do attitude with flexibility to adapt to changing demands.