Research Specialist - Pluripotent Stem Cells

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
United States, Maryland, Chevy Chase
4000 Jones Bridge Road (Show on map)
Nov 04, 2024
Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147 Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology's deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community. About the Role: Are you passionate about stem cell research and interested in advancing scientific discoveries? We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to join the Primary & iPS Cell Culture Shared Resource team at Janelia as a Research Specialist. In this role, you will play a crucial part in establishing and maintaining PSC resources, supporting independent labs, project teams, and visiting scientists in their groundbreaking research. Your primary responsibility will be to maintain, expand, and freeze a diverse range of iPSC lines while ensuring pluripotency is preserved using innovative methods. You will also be capable of reprograming differentiated cells into induced PSC (iPSC). Drawing from your previous experience and the current scientific literature, you will develop and refine methods for differentiating iPSC into various cell types, such as neuronal cell types, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, etc. You will develop and implement methods to confirm the presence of appropriate gene markers in the differentiated cells to verify their authenticity. You will work closely with the Molecular Genomics team to support gene editing of PSC, with a focus on introducing gene editing reagents into iPSC, conducting functional screening using cell sorting, cell imaging, and other appropriate methods, providing cells for genotypic analysis, and expanding clonal populations of gene-edited iPSC. The initial focus will be with hiPSC, with the potential to expand into iPSC and/or stem cells of other species like zebrafish, mice, and rats. What We Provide: An opportunity for you to develop, establish, and maintain iPSC support for ground breaking research. The opportunity to engage with world-class researchers, contribute to impactful science, and be part of a dynamic community committed to advancing humanity's understanding of fundamental scientific questions. A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits. Amenities that enhance work-life balance such as on-site childcare, a free gym, on-campus housing, social and dining spaces, and convenient shuttle bus service. What You'll Do: Establish, reprogram, maintain, expand, passage, differentiate, and cryopreserve iPSC. Discuss projects with research labs to plan experiments and provide regular progress updates. Deliver gene editing reagents to iPSC and apply genotypic and phenotypic methods to verify successful integration. Establish gene-edited iPSC into a line by clonal expansion and cryopreservation. Optimize fluorescence-based functional screening of iPSC by cell sorting and imaging. Compile key experiment data and results and make them available upon request. Develop and optimize SOPs and workflows for iPSC services. Train others in iPSC related protocols, processes, and use of instruments. Work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision. Manage projects, update progress, and perform other duties as assigned. What You Bring: Master of Science degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or Life Science with four years of working experience. Demonstrated proficiency establishing, passaging, maintaining, differentiating, and cryopreserving iPSC. Expertise delivering gene modification reagents in iPSC, verifying successful modification, and establishing clonal populations of cells. CRISPR editing experience is desirable Experience with fluorescence microscopy and cell imaging technology to evaluate cell health and gene modifications. Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and optimize culture and differentiation protocols. Experience reviewing scientific literature, following technology development in iPSC, gene editing and related fields, and applying new technologies to enhance productivity. Communication skills to interact with team members and users, and to update researchers on the status of work in progress. Demonstrated ability to write and prepare reports to summarize and present project scope and results Physical Requirements Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances or other hazardous materials. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please Note: This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI-BG1 Compensation and Benefits Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. Compensation Range $70,290.00 (minimum) - $87,800.00 (midpoint) - $114,180.00 (maximum) Pay Type: Annual HHMI's salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range. HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer