Senior Research Associate - Cellular Analysis

Role Summary

Senior Research Associate who will play an instrumental role in performing immunological testing of samples from xenotransplantation study candidates and participants in human clinical trials and research studies. The position will also analyze transgene expression and function in cells derived from transgenic pigs developed for use in xenotransplantation.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate primary cells for use in immunological and functional assays and for protein expression analysis. Prepare cells for use in assays, adhering to established SOPs or research protocols. Isolate, maintain, expand, and cryopreserve valuable primary cell lines, ensuring their longevity and availability for clinical studies and research.
• Develop and refine current protocols into SOPs and lab instructions to support compliance with FDA and other regulatory requirements. This includes understanding and implementing all BSL2 safety standards and procedures.
• Receive, process, catalog, and store human and porcine serum and plasma samples. Perform safe and appropriate handling of human clinical samples
• Perform human serum IgG and IgM binding assays to porcine cells using flow cytometry
• Prepare and submit cell samples for analysis of transgene integration and Western blot analysis for transgene protein expression
• Develop and perform assays to evaluate new genotypes and transgene function with accuracy
• Test fetal bovine serum lots and other reagents as needed to ensure they meet the standards required for use
• Analyze data using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and GraphPad Prism. Regularly present and discuss data with other staff and program leaders

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs Degree in biology, cell or molecular biology, or biomedical sciences
• 5+ years of experience working in a biology, cell biology, or other life-sciences laboratory setting as member of laboratory research team
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in isolating, culturing, passaging, and cryopreserving of primary mammalian cells from various tissues, and immortalized cell lines, using aseptic techniques
• 5+ years of experience summarizing, analyzing and presenting scientific data
• Experience in immunofluorescence, cell imaging and flow cytometry
• Experience performing cellular assays including apoptosis and cytotoxicity assays
• Knowledge and skill in assessing primary cell quality, phenotype and growth characteristics
• Knowledge and experience using antibodies in bio-assays and to characterize and phenotype cell populations
• Ability to prepare adherent cell monolayers in multi-well plates at specific cell densities for use in functional assays
• Willingness to perform occasional after hours and weekend work as needed to maintain valuable cell cultures and prepare experiments
• Driver‚Äôs License

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience preparing antibody-labelled cells for flow cytometry
• Experience using Biotek GEN5 software for running plate based assays

Education

• Not specified beyond the Qualifications section; see Minimum Requirements for degree expectations.

Location

This position is located at our Blacksburg, VA facility.